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Application is open: Lagos State SME Export Accelerator Program

By9jabook

Jun 2, 2025
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The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and ImpactHER, is proud to announce the official launch of the SME Export Accelerator Program—a transformative capacity-building initiative aimed at empowering Lagos-based SMEs with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to scale in cross-border trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Are you ready to take your business beyond borders?

Apply today to join an exclusive cohort of 250 export-ready enterprises and unlock opportunities to scale across Africa and beyond!

Who Should Apply?

We are seeking dynamic, growth-oriented SMEs operating within Lagos State who meet the following eligibility criteria:

•    Business Location: Operates and is registered within Lagos State (evidence of CAC registration and proof of address required).

•    Product Validation: Offering products or services that have demonstrated local market success with clear potential for export.

•    Export Readiness: Prior participation in export activities, certifications (e.g., SONCAP, NAFDAC), or documented international trade experience is highly desirable.

Sector Focus:

    Agribusiness and Agro-processing

    Light and Heavy Manufacturing

    Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

    Creative Industries (Fashion, Music, Film, Art)

    FinTech and Digital Economy

    Renewable Energy and Circular Economy Solutions

    Professional and Knowledge Services

•    Business Maturity: At least 2 years of continuous operations, with verifiable revenue generation (supported by bank statements or audited accounts).

•    Leadership Profile:

Entrepreneurs aged 25 years and above.

    Fluent in English (oral and written)

    Possess a valid international passport (with minimum 12 months validity).

•    Digital Presence: Demonstrated digital capabilities (functional website, social media presence, or e-commerce engagement).

•    Compliance: Businesses must be in good legal and financial standing.

Why Apply?

Participants will benefit from:

•    World-Class Export Readiness Training (Virtual and In-Person)

•    Expert Business Mentorship and Trade Advisory

Capstone Experience featuring:

    Live Export Negotiation Simulations

    B2B and B2G Matchmaking Opportunities

    Site Visits to Export Hubs and Processing Centers

    Live Pitching Sessions to Investors

•    Sponsored Exhibition: Top selected SMEs will be sponsored by Lagos State Government to exhibit at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025.

•    Post-Programme Support: Continued access to export financing linkages, advisory services, and promotional opportunities.

Join the Future of African Trade

Be part of the movement to position Lagos SMEs at the forefront of intra-African and global trade. Take the leap from local champion to international exporter.

Deadline for application is June 6th, 2025.

Method of Application

Interested and Qualified candidates should Go:

CLICK HERE TO APPLY 

NB: ONLY SELECTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED

The post Application is open: Lagos State SME Export Accelerator Program appeared first on Advert By Dotifi .Com Domains for almajiri.com.ng | Best African Hausa Music Blog, Entertainment ,News and Gossips .

By 9jabook

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.

May 25, 2026 abi