WITTY GLOBAL BLOGS | SATURDAY FLAGSHIP EDITION Your Money Disappeared, Your Bank Failed to Respond: How Nigerians Can Challenge Failed Transfers, Unauthorised Deductions and Unfair Charges By Itoro Uwah | Saturday, November 14, 2026 CONSUMER RIGHTS | DIGITAL BANKING | PRACTICAL GUIDE NIGERIA — Imagine transferring money to a supplier, receiving a debit alert and discovering that the recipient has not received the payment. The supplier is waiting. Your account balance has reduced. Customer service asks you to wait, but the money has not been returned. For a small business, this situation can interrupt deliveries, delay payments and damage relationships with customers. But an important distinction must be made: a failed or delayed transaction does not automatically prove that a bank has stolen money or acted fraudulently. The real questions are what happened to the transaction, which institution is responsible for investigating it, what evidence is available ...
Nigeria’s Economy Is Rising on Paper — But Small Businesses Tell a Different Story
BEFOCUS News Desk | Abuja, Nigeria — October 31, 2025
Official data show that Nigeria’s economy is on the rise, recording a 4.23% GDP growth rate in Q2 2025 according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Inflation has eased slightly to 18.02% as of September 2025, sparking optimism among policymakers. Yet, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) say they are still struggling under rising costs, poor infrastructure, and limited access to finance.
Growth on Paper, Struggles on the Ground
While government officials celebrate the positive outlook, entrepreneurs across Nigeria describe a harsher economic reality. They argue that the numbers look good on paper, but daily business life is dominated by survival tactics.
“They say the economy is growing, but we don’t feel it,” said Adaora Eze, a fashion designer in Abuja. “Every week, fuel prices, materials, and transport costs increase — profit has become a prayer.”
Rising Costs and Inflation Pressures
Despite modest macroeconomic progress, inflation continues to erode purchasing power. The prices of essential commodities and services remain high, and power outages compound operational costs. Foreign exchange volatility also hits import-dependent businesses hard, affecting production costs and sales stability.
Infrastructure Still a Major Barrier
Bad roads, unreliable electricity, and poor logistics remain Nigeria’s biggest obstacles to inclusive growth. Small business owners say transporting goods between cities takes days instead of hours, while generator costs eat deeply into profits. Economists warn that without massive infrastructure investment, economic gains will not reach ordinary citizens.
Policy vs. Reality
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the government insists its policies are reforming the economy and empowering local industries. However, experts argue that the recovery remains fragile and urban-based. Economist Dr. Mary Ibe from the University of Abuja told BEFOCUS News Desk that “the growth is visible in reports, but invisible in the markets.”
“Until access to finance, infrastructure, and consumer confidence improve, Nigeria’s growth will remain statistical rather than sustainable.”
A Call for Inclusive Growth
With over 39 million small businesses employing about 80% of Nigeria’s workforce, inclusive growth is vital. Policy analysts recommend targeted support — such as tax reliefs, affordable loans, and improved transport systems — to bridge the gap between paper growth and real prosperity.
Tags: Nigeria Economy 2025, Small Business Challenges, Inflation, Infrastructure, Economic Growth, BEFOCUS News Desk, Witty Global Blogs
Sources:
- Reuters — Nigeria’s Q2 2025 GDP growth at 4.23% (Sept 2025)
- Premium Times — Nigeria’s GDP grew by 4.23% in Q2 2025 (Sept 2025)
- Reuters — Inflation eased to 18.02% in September 2025
- PwC MSME Report — Nigeria’s 39 Million Small Businesses
Share this story:
Facebook | X (Twitter) | WhatsApp | LinkedIn
© 2025 Witty Global Blogs • BEFOCUS News Desk
Comments