The Garden City Business Breakfast Series now in its second edition has exposed quick wins and opportunities in the 2025 federal budget.
The quarterly breakfast series which debuted on March 6, 2025, entered the second edition Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Redenton Hotel in Port Harcourt where business owners and policy makers in government meet with university dons to take gown to town and put life and practicality to theories and principles under the theme: ‘Harnessing Quick Wins and Opportunities for Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations’.
The business breakfast series is an initiative of the Garden City Premier Business School (GCPBS) founded by Prof Silva Opuala-Charles, a professor of economics, ex-banker, finance expert, and former commissioner of finance in Bayelsa State.
The conversation was led by Baba Yusuf, a Strategist and Policy Advisor, who is the Group CEO, Global Investment and Trade Company (GITC). Prior to founding GITC, Yusuf was the first substantive MD/CEO of the first Airport Free Trade Zone in Nigeria (the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company
(NAHCO) Free Trade Zone (NFZ) in Lagos.
He has also been effective in developing and deepening business, professional, and political relationships with stakeholders across diverse economic sectors, political environments, and high-level functionaries in the public and private sectors in Nigeria, and countries across Africa, the gulf countries of the Middle East, and other parts of the world.
Panelists made up of professors from some universities including Prof Tubo Okumoko of the Niger Delta University in Wilberforce Island in Bayelsa State, Associate Prof Debii Nwiado of the Rivers State University of Education, and Prof Waribugo Sylva from the University of Port Harcourt.
The eggheads pointed to areas of the budget with big allocations such as defence, agriculture, ICT, drugs and healthcare because of the Trump effect.
Yusuf particularly called for recapitalisation of the aviation sector so that the airlines can be stronger. He also called for review of the business model in the aviation to save the airlines from crashing, saying most airlines in Nigeria may not go beyond the death of their owners.
In his opening remarks, Prof Opuala-Charles, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the school, said the breakfast meeting serves as a platform to engage industry leaders in meaningful dialogue on policy issues that impact businesses in our current economic climate.
He said Nigeria’s economic journey stands today at a critical juncture and that the 2025 budget presents a significant opportunity to evaluate the existing challenges while also uncovering quick wins that can advance both the businesses of CEOs and non-profit organizations. “It is imperative that we come together as a collective of thinkers, innovators, and leaders to share insights and establish strategies for success.”
He explained that the agenda for the day’s event encompassed two main components: “First, our discussions centered on business and economic interests, and second, the launch of a new publication from the Garden City Premier Business School, The Transformation Digest.
“I am particularly enthusiastic about this launch. The Transformation Digest is designed to be a valuable resource, offering insights into the evolving business environment, innovative practices, and success stories that can guide our efforts. We believe that this magazine will foster a culture of collaboration and continuous learning among all stakeholders.
“Garden City Premier Business School, as Champions of Innovation Excellence, are not just teaching innovation but are practitioners with pedigree and duly walk their talk. As we teach students entrepreneurship with the accompanying capstone project, the school itself is commercializing its capstone projects.”
He said the event presented significant opportunities for networking, collaboration, and partnership—elements that he said were essential for thriving in today’s business landscape.
The event and magazine launch were chaired by a renowned monarch, David Serena-Dokubo Spiff, a lawyer and the Amadabo of Ada-Ama of Twon-Brass.
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