Thursday, 29 October 2026

Free Websites for Learning New Skills Online in 2026: 10 Platforms to Upgrade Your Skills From Home

A few years ago, learning a valuable new skill could mean paying for a training centre, buying expensive textbooks or travelling to another city to attend classes.

Today, the situation is very different.

A student can learn Python from home. A small-business owner can study digital marketing. Someone interested in cybersecurity can take an introductory course. A job seeker can learn project management, communication or data analysis. And a person simply curious about a new subject can explore university-level material without enrolling in a university.

The biggest advantage is that many reputable learning platforms provide free courses or free learning materials online.

But there is an important catch: free learning does not always mean a free certificate. Some platforms allow you to study the material at no cost but charge for a verified certificate, while others provide free badges, records or certificates for selected courses.

So, rather than simply listing random websites, this guide focuses on platforms where you can genuinely develop useful skills online.

10 Free Websites You Can Use to Learn

New Skills Online

1. OpenLearn — Free Courses From The Open

University

OpenLearn is operated by The Open University and offers hundreds of courses that are free to study.

The platform covers areas including:

Business
Computing
Education
Health
Languages
Science
Society
Personal development
History and the arts

OpenLearn says its courses are free, and learners can receive a Statement of Participation. Some courses also provide free digital badges that can be shared or added to a CV.

Why OpenLearn stands out

This is particularly useful for learners who want structured educational content rather than simply watching random videos online.

Some courses are also designed around practical skills.

For example, OpenLearn currently offers free courses covering topics such as introductory cybersecurity, entrepreneurship and writing.

Best for: personal development, business, education, technology, health and academic learning.

2. freeCodeCamp — Learn Coding

Completely Free

If your goal is to learn technology skills, freeCodeCamp is one of the strongest free options available.

Its curriculum includes:

HTML
CSS
JavaScript
Python
SQL
Git
Linux
Data analysis
Web development
Machine learning
Artificial intelligence

freeCodeCamp states that its courses, projects and certifications are free. Its certifications require learners to complete practical projects and pass the associated tests.

That project-based approach is important.

You are not simply watching someone explain coding. You are expected to build things and practise what you learn.

Best for:

Coding, web development, programming, data and technology skills.

3. Khan Academy — Build Strong

Foundations for Free

Khan Academy is particularly useful if you want to strengthen your academic and foundational knowledge.

It covers subjects such as:

Mathematics
Science
Economics
Computing
History
Grammar
Test preparation

For someone who wants to learn a more advanced skill later, strengthening the basics can make a major difference.

For example, someone interested in data science may benefit from improving mathematics and statistics first.

Best for:

Students, beginners and anyone who wants to strengthen foundational knowledge.

4. edX — Explore Courses From Leading

Universities

edX provides access to courses from universities and institutions around the world.

Its catalogue covers subjects such as:

Computer science
Artificial intelligence
Business
Data science
Public health
Engineering
Finance
Leadership
Programming

Many edX courses can be studied through a free audit track. However, this is where learners need to pay attention to the details.

The free audit option generally provides access to course readings and videos, but verified certificates and graded assessments are normally part of the paid track.

So edX is excellent for free learning, but don't automatically assume that every course includes a free certificate.

Best for:

University-level learning, technology, business, science and professional development.

5. Alison — Study Thousands of Courses

for Free

Alison offers a large collection of online courses covering professional, workplace and personal-development topics.

You can study courses without paying a tuition fee.

However, Alison explains that certificates and diplomas can be purchased after completing courses. If you don't purchase one, you can download a free Learner Record showing the courses completed and results achieved.

That distinction is important.

Free course ≠ automatically free certificate.

Areas you can explore include:

Business
IT
Health
Languages
Management
Personal development
Sales
Customer service
Construction
Design

Best for:

People exploring a wide variety of practical and professional subjects.

6. MIT OpenCourseWare — Learn From

MIT Course Materials

If you want access to university-level educational material without enrolling at MIT, MIT OpenCourseWare is an excellent resource.

The platform provides educational materials from MIT courses, allowing independent learners to explore subjects at their own pace.

This can be particularly valuable for learners interested in:

Computer science
Engineering
Mathematics
Economics
Physics
Business
Science

The major attraction is the academic depth.

Instead of searching randomly across the internet, you can explore material associated with actual university courses.

Best for:

Advanced learners and people interested in university-level subjects.

7. Google Skillshop — Learn Google's

Professional Tools

Google Skillshop is designed around training for Google's professional products and platforms.

Depending on the available programmes, learners can develop skills related to areas such as:

Google Ads
Google Analytics
Google Marketing
Google Business tools
Digital advertising
Measurement

This can be especially useful for someone who wants to develop digital-business skills.

Best for:

Digital marketing, advertising, analytics and Google-related professional skills.

8. IBM SkillsBuild — Develop Technology

and Workplace Skills

IBM SkillsBuild provides free learning opportunities in technology and workplace skills.

It can be useful for people exploring areas such as:

Artificial intelligence
Cybersecurity
Data
Cloud computing
Digital skills
Workplace skills

Some learning activities can also lead to digital credentials or badges, depending on the programme.

Best for:

Technology beginners, career development and digital skills.

9. Microsoft Learn — Learn Technology at

Your Own Pace

Microsoft Learn provides self-paced learning materials covering Microsoft's technologies and related technical skills.

Topics include areas such as:

Azure
AI
Data
Power Platform
Microsoft 365
Security
Developer technologies

The platform is particularly useful for someone who wants to move beyond general computer knowledge and explore specific technology ecosystems.

Best for:

IT, cloud computing, AI, development and Microsoft technologies.

10. Harvard CS50 — Learn Computer

Science Online

Harvard's CS50 family of courses has become one of the most widely recognised free introductions to computer science.

CS50x introduces fundamental computer-science concepts and programming.

It is a particularly interesting option for someone who wants to understand how computers and software work, rather than learning only one programming language.

The course can be challenging, so beginners should expect to practise rather than simply watch lectures.

Best for:

Computer science, programming and serious technology learning.

What Skills Can You Learn Online for

Free?

The answer is much broader than many people realise.

Technology Skills

You can begin learning:

Python
HTML
CSS
JavaScript
SQL
Web development
Cybersecurity
Cloud computing
Artificial intelligence
Data analysis

Business Skills

You can study:

Entrepreneurship
Marketing
Leadership
Project management
Business communication
Customer service
Business strategy

Academic Skills

You can explore:

Mathematics
Economics
Science
History
Computer science
Writing

Personal Development

You can improve:

Communication
Critical thinking
Study skills
Time management
Problem-solving
Writing

Which Free Learning Website Should You

Choose?

Choosing the right platform depends on what you want to accomplish.

Your Goal	Good Starting Point
Learn coding	freeCodeCamp
Learn computer science	Harvard CS50
Strengthen mathematics	Khan Academy
University-level learning	MIT OpenCourseWare / edX
Business skills	OpenLearn / edX
Digital marketing	Google Skillshop
Technology skills	Microsoft Learn / IBM SkillsBuild
General professional skills	Alison
Broad free courses	OpenLearn

The important thing is not to choose the platform with the longest list of courses.

Choose the one that matches the skill you actually want to develop.

Free Learning Is Not the Same as

Watching Videos

One of the biggest mistakes people make when learning online is confusing consumption with learning.

Watching 20 videos about programming doesn't necessarily mean you can program.

Watching 10 videos about graphic design doesn't automatically make you a designer.

Watching business lectures doesn't automatically make you an entrepreneur.

Real learning requires practice.

If you are learning coding, build projects.

If you are learning writing, write.

If you're studying marketing, create a marketing plan.

If you're learning a language, practise speaking and writing.

If you're studying graphic design, create designs.

Turn every course into something you can demonstrate.

How to Learn a New Skill Online Without

Getting Overwhelmed

Step 1: Choose One Skill

Don't start five courses simultaneously.

Pick one skill that matters to your current goal.

Step 2: Choose One Main Platform

Find a reputable platform and follow a structured course.

Step 3: Set a Small Daily Target

Even a consistent 30–60 minutes of focused study can add up over time.

Step 4: Practise Immediately

Don't wait until the end of the course.

Apply what you learn after every major lesson.

Step 5: Build a Portfolio

If the skill allows it, create examples of your work.

A portfolio can demonstrate ability more effectively than simply saying:

"I completed a course."

Step 6: Record Your Achievements

Save certificates, badges, project links and completed work where appropriate.

Step 7: Keep Improving

The first course should be a starting point, not the finish line.

Don't Fall Into the "Certificate Collection"

Trap

A certificate can be useful, but it should not become the entire objective.

Imagine two people applying for a beginner web-development opportunity.

Person A has completed 20 online courses but cannot show a working project.

Person B has completed three relevant courses and has built three functioning websites.

The second person may have a stronger practical story to tell.

The best combination is:

Learn → Practise → Build → Document → Improve.

A certificate can support that journey, but it doesn't replace actual skill.

Are Free Online Certificates Really Free?

This is one of the most important questions to ask before enrolling.

There are three common situations.

1. Completely free learning and free credential

Some platforms and selected courses offer both.

For example, freeCodeCamp states that its certifications are free, subject to completing the required projects and tests.

OpenLearn also offers free Statements of Participation and selected free digital badges.

2. Free learning but paid certificate

This is common.

edX, for example, allows free auditing on many courses, while verified certificates are generally associated with the paid track.

3. Free learning with a free record of completion

Alison allows learners to study courses free of charge, while certificates can be purchased; learners who don't purchase certificates can access a free Learner Record.

Therefore, always check the individual course page before enrolling if the certificate is important to you.

A Simple 30-Day Skill-Building Challenge

If you want to turn free online learning into actual progress, try this structure.

Week 1 — Learn the Basics

Spend your first week understanding the fundamental concepts.

Week 2 — Practise

Start completing exercises and small tasks.

Week 3 — Build

Create something based on what you've learned.

Week 4 — Improve and Document

Fix mistakes, improve the project and document what you accomplished.

At the end of the month, you should have more than hours of videos watched.

You should have evidence of learning.

The Biggest Advantage of Learning Online

Perhaps the greatest advantage is flexibility.

You don't necessarily need to wait for a new academic session.

You don't always need to travel to a classroom.

You don't need to stop learning because you live far away from a training centre.

With an internet connection and a suitable device, you can begin exploring a new skill from home.

For someone in Nigeria or elsewhere who has limited access to certain forms of in-person training, that flexibility can be particularly valuable.

Start Learning, But Learn With a Purpose

There has never been a better time to explore new skills online.

OpenLearn provides hundreds of free courses from The Open University.

freeCodeCamp provides a completely free path into programming and related technology skills.

Khan Academy is useful for building foundational knowledge.

edX provides access to university-level courses, although certificate rules vary.

Alison offers free learning across a wide range of subjects, with certificates generally available as paid extras.

MIT OpenCourseWare opens the door to university-level course materials.

Google Skillshop, IBM SkillsBuild and Microsoft Learn can help learners develop technology and workplace skills.

And Harvard CS50 offers an excellent starting point for people who want to explore computer science.

But the platform itself isn't what determines your success.

Your consistency does.

Choose one skill.

Choose one course.

Study regularly.

Practise what you learn.

Build something.

Then move to the next level.

The internet can give you access to knowledge for free. What you do with that knowledge is what turns learning into a real skill.

Free Websites for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses: 10 Powerful Platforms to Grow Your Business Online in 2026

A small business owner can have an excellent product and still struggle to attract customers simply because people cannot easily find the business online.

Imagine a fashion designer working from home in Lagos. She has good products, takes attractive photographs and receives occasional orders through social media. But there is no website, no organized product catalogue and no central place where a new customer can learn about her business.

Instead of immediately paying a developer a large amount of money, she could begin with free online tools.

A free website builder can give her a basic online presence. A design platform can help her create professional marketing materials. An online storefront can help her display products. Search and business-discovery tools can help potential customers find her.

That is why free websites for entrepreneurs and small businesses have become important starting points in 2026.

The goal is not necessarily to operate a business forever without spending money. The smarter strategy is to use free tools to start, test, attract your first customers and learn what works before investing heavily.

10 Free Websites Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Should Know About

Here are some of the most useful options to consider:

Wix — business websites without coding
Canva — websites, branding and marketing designs
WordPress.com — websites, blogs and content marketing
Google Sites — simple business websites
Payhip — selling products and digital products
Google Business Profile — helping customers discover eligible businesses
Carrd — simple one-page business websites
Weebly — beginner-friendly websites and online stores
Mailchimp — email marketing and audience building
Selar — digital products, courses and services

1. Wix — Build a Business Website

Without Coding

Wix is one of the easiest starting points for an entrepreneur who wants a conventional business website without learning web development.

Its free plan allows users to create and publish a website, while its drag-and-drop editor and templates make it possible to build a site without coding. Wix says its free plan includes hosting and its website editor, while features such as connecting a custom domain and removing Wix branding require an upgrade.

What can a small business use Wix for?

Business websites
Service pages
Portfolios
Landing pages
Blogs
Product showcases
Professional profiles
Startup websites

Best for:

Entrepreneurs who want a conventional business website without hiring a developer.

2. Canva — More Than Just a Design Tool

Many entrepreneurs know Canva for flyers and social-media graphics, but it can also be used to create websites.

Canva allows users to design and publish websites without coding. Its free users can publish websites on Canva's free domain, making it useful for testing a business idea or creating a simple online presence.

A business owner can also use Canva to create:

Flyers
Product catalogues
Social-media graphics
Presentations
Business cards
Promotional banners
Portfolios
Brand materials

This makes Canva particularly useful because an entrepreneur can handle both basic website design and marketing graphics in one place.

Best for:

Freelancers, creators, consultants, small businesses and entrepreneurs who need attractive visual marketing materials.

3. WordPress.com — Build a Website That

Can Grow With Your Business

WordPress.com is particularly useful for entrepreneurs who intend to publish articles, educational content or other information regularly.

Its free plan includes a hosted website, free WordPress.com subdomain, themes, an editor, basic SEO features, site statistics and social-sharing tools. The free plan does not expire.

That makes it interesting for businesses that want to use content marketing.

For example, a small accounting business could publish:

Small-business accounting tips
Tax-record keeping advice
Budgeting guides
Business-finance articles
Frequently asked questions

Instead of simply advertising a service, the company can publish useful information that helps potential customers discover it.

Best for:

Bloggers, consultants, educators, publishers and businesses that want to attract customers through useful content.

4. Google Sites — A Simple Way to Put

Your Business Online

Not every entrepreneur needs a complicated website.

Sometimes all a business needs is a simple page explaining:

What the business does
Products or services offered
Contact information
Opening hours
Location
Portfolio
Important links

Google Sites can be useful for that type of basic online presence.

It is especially attractive to beginners who already use Google's ecosystem and want something straightforward rather than a complicated website-building platform.

Best for:

Small businesses, personal brands, clubs, projects and simple business information pages.

5. Payhip — Start Selling Products Online

A business does not necessarily need an expensive e-commerce website before it can begin selling online.

Payhip provides a free-to-start platform for selling digital downloads, courses, memberships, coaching and physical products. It also includes tools for creating an online storefront.

Entrepreneurs can potentially sell:

Ebooks
Templates
Courses
Digital guides
Design resources
Software
Physical products
Coaching
Memberships

This makes Payhip particularly interesting for people whose knowledge, skills or digital creations can become products.

Best for:

Creators, educators, coaches, freelancers and digital-product businesses.

6. Google Business Profile — Help

Customers Find Your Business

For an eligible local business, having an online presence is not only about having a website.

People also need to be able to find the business when searching Google.

Google Business Profile allows eligible businesses to manage information that appears on Google Search and Maps, including details such as business hours, website, phone number and customer reviews.

For example, someone could search:

"Tailor near me."

"Catering service in Lagos."

"Phone repair shop near me."

"Hair salon in my area."

A properly maintained business profile can make it easier for potential customers to discover an eligible business.

Best for:

Local shops, service providers, restaurants, salons, repair businesses, professionals and other eligible local businesses.

7. Carrd — Create a Simple One-Page

Business Website

Sometimes a business doesn't need a ten-page website.

A freelancer might only need one page containing:

Who I am → What I offer → My work → Testimonials → Contact me.

That's where a simple one-page website builder can make sense.

Carrd is designed around simple, responsive one-page websites and is often useful for landing pages, portfolios and personal or small-business presentations.

Best for:

Freelancers, consultants, creators, personal brands and businesses that need a simple landing page.

8. Weebly — An Easy Option for Small

Businesses

Weebly is another beginner-friendly website builder worth considering.

Current comparisons of free website builders continue to list Weebly among the options offering free website creation, with features aimed at simple websites and e-commerce.

Its appeal is simplicity.

A small business owner who doesn't know HTML or CSS can use a visual website-building system rather than starting from code.

Best for:

Small businesses and beginners who want a straightforward website-building experience.

9. Mailchimp — Turn Visitors Into an

Audience

Getting someone to visit your website once is useful.

Getting permission to stay in touch with them can be even more valuable.

Email marketing allows businesses to communicate directly with people who have chosen to receive their messages.

An entrepreneur could use an email list to send:

Business updates
New-product announcements
Educational content
Special offers
Newsletters
Helpful tips

This is particularly useful for businesses that don't want to depend entirely on social-media algorithms.

Best for:

Online businesses, bloggers, creators, stores and service providers building a long-term audience.

10. Selar — Sell Digital Products, Courses

and Services

Selar is particularly worth considering for African entrepreneurs who want to sell digital products, courses and services online.

A creator could turn expertise into something customers can purchase.

For example:

A photographer could sell a photography guide.
A designer could sell templates.
An educator could create a course.
A consultant could sell a digital guide.
A writer could publish an ebook.

The important idea is that an online business doesn't always have to sell physical products.

Knowledge can also become a product.

Which Free Website Is Best for Your Small

Business?

There isn't one universal winner.

The right choice depends on your business model.

Your Business	Useful Starting Platform
Service business	Wix
Freelancer	Carrd or Wix
Blogger	WordPress.com
Digital products	Payhip or Selar
Local business	Google Business Profile + website
Visual brand	Canva
Simple information website	Google Sites
Small online store	Weebly or Payhip
Consultant	Wix or WordPress.com
Content creator	Canva + WordPress.com

The Best Free Website Strategy Is Not

Using Every Platform

One of the biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make is opening accounts everywhere.

You don't need ten websites.

You need one clear business system.

For example:

A Nigerian fashion business

Website: Wix

Marketing graphics: Canva

Local discovery: Google Business Profile

Customer communication: Email marketing

A digital creator

Product store: Payhip or Selar

Branding: Canva

Audience: Email list

A consultant

Website: WordPress.com or Wix

Content: WordPress.com

Marketing: Canva

Local visibility: Google Business Profile where eligible

The idea is to choose tools that complement one another.

Free Does Not Always Mean Completely

Free

This is something every entrepreneur should understand before choosing a platform.

A free plan may come with limitations such as:

Provider-branded web addresses
Advertising or platform branding
Limited storage
Limited e-commerce functionality
Limited marketing features
Restricted analytics
No custom domain
Transaction fees

For example, Wix's free plan is genuinely available at $0, but custom domains and removing Wix branding require paid features.

Canva allows free website publishing, but custom-domain and additional website capabilities can require an upgrade.

WordPress.com offers a free plan without an expiration date, while custom domains and additional features are available through paid plans.

Therefore, always check the current terms before building your entire business around a free feature.

How to Start Your Small Business Online

With Almost No Budget

Step 1: Identify one problem

Don't start with:

"I want to make money online."

Start with:

"What problem can I solve?"

That question changes everything.

Step 2: Identify your customer

Who needs the solution?

Students?

Parents?

Small businesses?

Professionals?

Local residents?

Online shoppers?

Creators?

The more clearly you understand your customer, the easier it becomes to build your business.

Step 3: Choose one primary platform

Don't spend three weeks comparing websites.

Choose one suitable platform and start building.

Step 4: Create a professional identity

Use Canva to prepare:

Business graphics
Product images
Social-media posts
Promotional materials
Simple brand assets

Consistency makes even a small business look more established.

Step 5: Create your website or storefront

Make sure customers can quickly understand:

What do you sell?

Who is it for?

How much does it cost?

How can they contact you?

How can they buy?

Don't make customers search for these answers.

Step 6: Start creating useful content

Instead of posting only:

"Buy from me!"

teach, demonstrate and solve problems.

If you sell cooking services, share useful food tips.

If you sell clothing, discuss styling and care.

If you provide accounting services, explain common bookkeeping mistakes.

Useful content gives people a reason to discover your business.

7 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Should Avoid

1. Waiting for a perfect website

Your first website doesn't have to be perfect.

It needs to be useful.

2. Spending too much before validating the idea

Don't invest heavily before discovering whether people actually want what you're offering.

3. Having no clear offer

Customers should understand what you sell almost immediately.

4. Using poor-quality images

Your visual presentation affects how people perceive your business.

5. Ignoring mobile users

Make sure your website works comfortably on smartphones.

6. Making it difficult to contact you

Provide an obvious contact method.

7. Depending entirely on one social-media platform

Social-media platforms can change their algorithms, features and reach.

Building your own website and customer audience gives you another place to connect with people.

The 2026 Small-Business Starter Stack

A practical starting combination could be:

Canva → Branding and marketing

Wix or WordPress.com → Main website

Google Business Profile → Local discovery

Payhip or Selar → Selling products

Mailchimp → Audience communication

You don't need to purchase everything immediately.

Start with the free tools that solve your most important problem.

As revenue and customer demand grow, upgrade only when the additional feature provides enough value to justify the cost.

Takeaway

The internet has dramatically reduced the technical barrier to starting a small business.

A person with a useful skill, product or service can now establish an online presence without immediately hiring a developer, renting an office or purchasing expensive software.

Wix can help build a website.

Canva can help create a visual identity.

WordPress.com can support websites and content marketing.

Google Business Profile can help eligible local businesses appear in Google's business-discovery ecosystem.

Payhip can provide a way to sell products online.

Selar can help creators package and sell knowledge and digital products.

The smartest approach isn't to collect as many free tools as possible.

It is to choose the fewest tools necessary to build a functioning business.

Start with the customer.

Solve a real problem.

Build a simple online presence.

Make it easy to contact or buy from you.

Create useful content.

Then improve the business as real customers provide feedback.

You don't need to build a giant company on day one. You need to build something useful enough for the first customer to say yes.

Nigeria’s Future Eagles Thrash New Caledonia 7–0 to Reach U-15 World Cup Round of 16

Nigeria’s Future Eagles delivered a commanding performance at the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, defeating New Caledonia 7–0 to advance to the Tier C Round of 16. Captain Timothy Ijachi scored a hat-trick, while Abdulsalam Muhammad contributed two goals as the Nigerian youngsters recorded their biggest victory of the tournament.

The emphatic victory, recorded on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, provided a significant boost for Nigeria’s young footballers as they continued their campaign in the competition.

The Future Eagles demonstrated attacking quality, teamwork and clinical finishing to overwhelm their opponents, scoring seven goals without conceding.

Wisdom Oche Opens the Scoring Early

Nigeria wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Wisdom Oche opening the scoring just one minute after kickoff.

The early goal gave the Nigerian side confidence and put immediate pressure on New Caledonia’s defence.

Captain Timothy Ijachi doubled the advantage in the 12th minute before scoring again four minutes later to give Nigeria a comfortable 3–0 lead.

The Future Eagles continued to control the match, creating further scoring opportunities and keeping their opponents under pressure.

Abdulsalam Muhammad added Nigeria’s fourth goal in the 21st minute, extending the advantage and strengthening the team’s control of the encounter.

Timothy Ijachi Scores a Hat-Trick

Ijachi was the standout performer of the match, scoring three goals to lead Nigeria’s attacking display.

After finding the net twice in the opening stages, the captain completed his hat-trick in the 35th minute.

His performance underlined his importance to the team and gave the Nigerian supporters further reason to be optimistic about the side’s progress in the competition.

Muhammad also made a significant contribution, scoring his second goal of the match in the 39th minute.

Mayowa Salu completed the scoring in the 40th minute, sealing Nigeria’s comprehensive 7–0 victory.

The goals were shared among four Nigerian players, highlighting the team’s attacking contributions beyond its captain.

Nigeria vs New Caledonia: Goal Scorers

The goals in Nigeria’s 7–0 victory came from the following players:

1st minute: Wisdom Oche
12th minute: Timothy Ijachi
16th minute: Timothy Ijachi
21st minute: Abdulsalam Muhammad
35th minute: Timothy Ijachi
39th minute: Abdulsalam Muhammad
40th minute: Mayowa Salu

Ijachi’s hat-trick and Muhammad’s brace were the highlights of the encounter.

Future Eagles Build Momentum After Group Stage

Nigeria entered the second phase of the competition after finishing third in Group AD with seven points from five matches.

The team recorded one victory and four draws during the group stage, scoring 11 goals and conceding 10.

The Future Eagles began their campaign with a 3–3 draw against South Sudan before sharing a 2–2 result with Jordan.

They subsequently drew 3–3 with The Gambia, secured a 2–1 comeback victory over Cyprus and finished the group stage with a 1–1 draw against Pakistan.

Although Nigeria remained unbeaten during the qualification phase, their results showed that the team needed to improve its defensive organisation and convert more scoring opportunities.

The emphatic victory over New Caledonia represented a major improvement in their attacking performance and gave the coaching staff encouraging signs ahead of the knockout rounds.

Nigeria Prepare for the Next Knockout Challenge

Following the victory over New Caledonia, Nigeria were scheduled to face either Benin or Cuba in the Tier C Round of 16 on Thursday, October 29.

The team will be looking to maintain its momentum and progress further in the competition.

The tournament uses an eight-a-side format, with matches played over two 20-minute halves. Participating teams are divided into six tiers according to their performances during the qualification phase, with each tier producing its own winner.

This format gives teams that do not finish among the leading group-stage performers another opportunity to compete for honours.

For Nigeria, the immediate objective will be to build on the 7–0 victory and continue developing the consistency required to succeed in the knockout stage.

A Promising Sign for Nigerian Grassroots Football

The Future Eagles’ performance offers encouragement for Nigerian football, particularly efforts to develop young players and prepare them for higher levels of competition.

International tournaments give emerging footballers the opportunity to test their abilities against different opponents, gain valuable experience and develop the discipline needed for professional football.

Ijachi’s three-goal performance, Muhammad’s brace and the contributions from Oche and Salu demonstrated the attacking potential within the squad.

However, maintaining that form against stronger opposition will be important if Nigeria hopes to advance further.

The coaching staff will also need to ensure that the team builds on its attacking strengths while addressing the defensive weaknesses exposed during the group stage.

With the knockout rounds underway, the young players have an opportunity to turn their impressive victory into further progress in the tournament.

Conclusion

Nigeria’s Future Eagles announced themselves with an impressive 7–0 victory over New Caledonia at the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan.

Timothy Ijachi’s hat-trick, Abdulsalam Muhammad’s brace and goals from Wisdom Oche and Mayowa Salu secured the convincing result and propelled Nigeria into the Tier C Round of 16.

The victory will boost the confidence of the Nigerian youngsters as they prepare for their next challenge.

Nigerian football supporters will be hoping the team can maintain its scoring form, improve its defensive consistency and continue making progress in the competition.

For the Future Eagles, the next match represents another opportunity to demonstrate their potential and bring pride to the country.

Nigeria Names 19 Athletes for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

Nigeria will field 19 young athletes at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, with the national contingent comprising 12 female and seven male athletes competing across six sports. The competition, scheduled to run from October 31 to November 13, will mark the first time an Olympic sporting event is hosted on African soil.

As preparations enter their final stage, Team Nigeria is looking forward to showcasing the country's emerging sporting talents on the international stage. The athletes are expected to compete against promising young sportsmen and sportswomen from around the world while gaining valuable experience for future international competitions.

Nigeria to Compete in Six Sports

According to information released by the National Sports Commission (NSC), Nigeria's 19 athletes will participate in six sporting disciplines: athletics, boxing, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and beach volleyball.

Athletics will have the largest Nigerian representation, with nine athletes comprising five females and four males.

Swimming will feature four competitors, with two females and two males, while table tennis will have two representatives—one male and one female.

Nigeria will also compete in women's boxing and road cycling, with one female athlete in each discipline. The country will further field a two-member women's beach volleyball team.

The spread of athletes across these disciplines provides an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its sporting potential beyond the country's traditional areas of strength.

Final Preparations Ahead of the Games

The Nigerian contingent has undergone a 21-day local camping programme that began on October 9 and is scheduled to conclude on October 29.

According to reports, the preparation programme included medical screening, anti-doping education, technical and tactical training, kit fitting, travel documentation and other arrangements necessary for international competition.

These activities are intended to prepare the young athletes physically, mentally and technically for the challenges ahead.

The final preparation period is particularly important as the team prepares to compete against athletes who have also spent months training for the global event.

Dakar 2026: A Historic Moment for Africa

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games represent a significant milestone for African sports.

The fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games will take place across three host locations in Senegal: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. The event is scheduled to run from October 31 to November 13, 2026.

Hosting the Games on African soil offers the continent an opportunity to showcase its sporting infrastructure, cultural diversity and capacity to organise major international sporting competitions.

For Senegal, the event represents an important opportunity to welcome young athletes, officials and visitors from different parts of the world.

For Nigeria and other African countries, it also provides a platform to encourage young people to participate in sports and pursue opportunities in international competition.

Opportunity for Nigeria's Emerging Athletes

Participation in the Youth Olympic Games can play an important role in the development of young Nigerian athletes.

Competing internationally allows athletes to test their abilities against strong opponents, understand different competition styles and gain experience that can support their future careers.

The Games may also help identify athletes with the potential to represent Nigeria at senior continental and global competitions, including future Olympic Games.

Beyond medals, the experience can help young competitors develop discipline, teamwork, confidence and an understanding of the demands of elite sports.

Nigeria's performance in Dakar will therefore be important not only for immediate results but also for the country's longer-term sports development.

Expectations for Team Nigeria

As the competition approaches, attention will turn to how well Nigeria's athletes translate their preparations into performances on the field, track and courts.

The National Sports Commission has encouraged the contingent to represent the country with distinction and make the most of the opportunity to compete internationally.

Athletics, with nine representatives, will provide Nigeria with its largest group of competitors. However, the country's participation in swimming, table tennis, boxing, road cycling and beach volleyball also creates opportunities to gain experience and potentially secure strong results across several disciplines.

While the outcome of the competition remains uncertain, the Games offer the athletes an important opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and build confidence for future challenges.

Conclusion

Nigeria's decision to send 19 athletes to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games highlights the importance of investing in young sporting talent and creating opportunities for international exposure.

With 12 female and seven male athletes competing in six sports, Team Nigeria will seek to make a positive impression at an event that marks a historic first for Africa.

Beyond the pursuit of medals, the competition offers Nigeria an opportunity to strengthen its future sporting prospects by exposing emerging athletes to international standards and experience.

As the Games open in Senegal on October 31, Nigerians will be watching closely and hoping the young athletes perform to the best of their abilities while representing the country with pride.

Free Websites That Help You Start an Online Business in 2026 — Build Your Brand, Find Customers and Start Selling

Starting an online business no longer requires an expensive office, a large team or thousands of dollars in startup capital.

Consider a simple example. A young entrepreneur has a skill in graphic design and wants to turn that skill into income. Instead of immediately paying for an office, hiring a developer and purchasing expensive software, they can create a basic website, design their brand identity, publish their services, establish a Google Business Profile and even create a simple online storefront using free or free-to-start platforms.

That is the major change happening in online entrepreneurship: the cost of getting started has fallen dramatically, while access to digital customers has expanded.

The challenge is no longer finding tools. There are thousands of websites claiming to help entrepreneurs build businesses online.

The real question is:

Which free websites are actually useful, what can each one do, and how can a beginner combine them into a practical online business system?

This guide answers that question.

The Best Free Websites to Start an Online Business

Here are some of the most useful platforms to consider:

Canva — branding, graphics and simple websites
Wix — building a professional website
WordPress.com — websites, blogs and content businesses
Google Business Profile — getting discovered on Google Search and Maps
Payhip — selling digital and physical products
Selar — selling digital products, courses and services
Mailchimp — building an email audience
GOB — creating an online store for Nigerian customers
FinStore — launching an online store in Nigeria

The important thing is that you don't necessarily need all of them.

A smart entrepreneur chooses the tools that match the business model.

1. Canva — Create Your Business Brand

Without Hiring a Designer

Canva is particularly useful for entrepreneurs who need professional-looking visual materials without learning complicated design software.

Its free website builder allows users to create and publish websites without coding. Canva also provides templates and drag-and-drop design tools that can be useful for creating business graphics.

You can use Canva to create:

Business graphics
Social media posts
Flyers
Presentations
Product images
Simple websites
Portfolios
Promotional materials
Business cards

Why Canva is useful for beginners

A new business needs a recognizable visual identity.

Before spending heavily on branding, an entrepreneur can create a simple and consistent appearance using free design resources.

Canva Websites can also be published under a free Canva domain, while custom-domain features require a paid option.

Best for: freelancers, creators, small businesses, consultants, designers and service providers.

2. Wix — Build a Professional Business

Website Without Coding

If your business needs a dedicated website, Wix is another strong starting point.

Wix currently offers a free website option with no credit card required. Its platform includes drag-and-drop editing, templates, hosting and no-code website-building tools.

Its website builder can be used for:

Small-business websites
Service businesses
Portfolios
Blogs
Personal brands
Online stores

Wix also provides built-in SEO features and mobile-ready website layouts.

What beginners should know

Free website plans generally come with limitations compared with paid business plans.

For example, a serious business may eventually want:

A custom domain
More storage
Advanced e-commerce functions
Additional marketing features
More professional branding

Therefore, the free version is best viewed as a way to validate an idea and establish an online presence before investing further.

Best for: entrepreneurs who want an attractive website without learning web development.

3. WordPress.com — Start a Website, Blog

or Content Business

WordPress.com is particularly valuable if your online business depends heavily on content and search traffic.

Its free plan allows users to create and publish a website without paying for hosting separately. Free sites receive a WordPress.com subdomain, while additional features such as custom domains are available with paid plans.

You can use WordPress.com to build:

A business website
A blog
A portfolio
An educational website
A personal brand
A content-based business

WordPress.com also includes basic SEO and site-statistics features on its free plan.

Why it can be powerful for an online business

Suppose you sell bookkeeping services.

Instead of simply posting "I am a bookkeeper" on social media, you could create articles such as:

How small businesses can organize their accounts
Common bookkeeping mistakes
How to prepare business records
Basic financial record-keeping tips

Those articles can attract people searching for answers online and eventually introduce them to your service.

Best for: bloggers, consultants, educators, publishers, freelancers and businesses using content marketing.

4. Google Business Profile — Put Your

Business on Google

One of the most overlooked free business tools is Google's Business Profile.

Google says businesses can create a Business Profile at no charge and manage how they appear on Google Search and Maps. Businesses can provide information such as their hours, website, phone number and services, while customers can also leave reviews.

This can be extremely valuable for local businesses.

Imagine someone searches:

"Phone repair near me."

Or:

"Catering service in Lagos."

Or:

"Graphic designer near me."

A well-maintained Business Profile can help an eligible business appear when potential customers are searching.

What to add to your profile

Make sure your profile contains accurate:

Business name
Category
Phone number
Business hours
Website
Services
Photos
Service area

You can also respond to customer reviews and publish updates.

Google specifically notes that Business Profiles can help customers discover businesses through Search and Maps.

Best for: local businesses, service providers, restaurants, shops, salons, repair businesses and professionals.

5. Payhip — Start Selling Products Online

Not every online business needs a complicated e-commerce website.

If you have something people can purchase online, Payhip provides a way to create an online storefront.

Payhip says its free plan costs $0 per month and provides access to its features, with a transaction fee applied to sales. The platform supports digital downloads, courses, memberships, coaching and physical products.

That makes it particularly interesting for creators.

You could potentially sell:

Ebooks
Templates
Digital guides
Courses
Design resources
Educational materials
Memberships
Coaching services
Physical products

Payhip also supports multiple payment processors, including Paystack and Flutterwave, although availability can depend on the seller's location and account setup.

Best for: digital creators, educators, coaches and entrepreneurs selling downloadable products.

6. Selar — A Useful Option for Selling

Digital Products and Services

For African creators and entrepreneurs, Selar is another platform worth investigating.

Selar describes itself as a platform where individuals and businesses can sell digital products, courses and services. Its setup process allows sellers to create an account, configure payout details and create products for sale.

This can be useful if you want to turn knowledge or creative work into a product.

For example, someone with expertise in:

Photography
Fashion
Digital marketing
Writing
Education
Career development
Business
Design

could package that knowledge into a digital product or service.

The important lesson is that your knowledge can sometimes become the product.

Best for: African creators, educators, consultants and digital-product sellers.

7. Mailchimp — Build an Audience You

Can Reach Directly

Getting customers once is useful.

Building an audience you can communicate with repeatedly is even more valuable.

Mailchimp provides email marketing tools, and its current free offering includes tools for getting started with email marketing, landing pages, signup forms and basic reporting, with limits applying to the free plan.

An online business can use email marketing to:

Welcome new subscribers
Announce new products
Share useful information
Promote special offers
Send newsletters
Bring previous customers back

A simple strategy

Instead of telling every visitor:

"Buy from me."

You can offer something useful in exchange for an email address.

For example:

Free Guide: 10 Mistakes New Online Businesses Should Avoid

After someone receives the guide, you can continue providing useful information and eventually introduce relevant products or services.

That creates a relationship rather than relying entirely on one-time social-media traffic.

Best for: online stores, bloggers, educators, service businesses and creators.

8. GOB — Create a Free Online Store in

Nigeria

For entrepreneurs specifically targeting Nigerian customers, GOB is another platform worth considering.

GOB currently advertises free online stores with product pages, checkout and payment functionality, without a monthly bill. Its website lists categories ranging from fashion and beauty to food, electronics, digital products and services.

This can be particularly useful for someone who wants to move beyond simply displaying products on social media.

Instead of sending every customer through a long conversation, you can give them a dedicated online storefront.

Best for: Nigerian retailers, food businesses, fashion sellers, artisans, service providers and small businesses.

9. FinStore — Another Free E-Commerce

Option for Nigerian Entrepreneurs

FinStore describes itself as a free e-commerce platform built for Nigerian businesses.

Its current website says entrepreneurs can create an online store, sell locally and across Nigeria, accept payments and manage inventory through web and mobile tools.

This makes it worth comparing with other Nigerian-focused storefront platforms before choosing where to establish your online shop.

Best for: Nigerian product sellers who want a dedicated online storefront.

How to Choose the Right Free Website for

Your Business

The biggest mistake a beginner can make is signing up for every platform without a strategy.

Instead, start with your business model.

If you sell physical products

Consider combining:

GOB + Google Business Profile + Canva

You can use GOB for your storefront, Google for local discovery and Canva for product graphics and promotional materials.

If you sell digital products

Consider:

Payhip or Selar + Canva + Mailchimp

This gives you a product-selling platform, visual branding and a way to build an audience.

If you offer professional services

Consider:

Wix or WordPress.com + Google Business Profile + Canva

Your website explains what you do, Google helps potential local customers discover you, and Canva helps you create professional marketing materials.

If you want to become a blogger or publisher

Consider:

WordPress.com + Canva + Mailchimp

Your website becomes the central publishing platform while Canva handles visual content and Mailchimp helps you build an audience.

You Don't Need 10 Websites to Start

This is one of the most important lessons for a new entrepreneur.

Having accounts everywhere doesn't automatically create a business.

A better approach is to build a simple system.

Step 1: Choose one problem to solve

Don't begin with:

"I want to make money online."

Begin with:

"What problem can I solve for a specific group of people?"

For example:

Helping small businesses create social-media graphics
Selling handmade products
Teaching a particular skill
Editing videos
Designing websites
Selling educational resources
Providing bookkeeping services

Step 2: Choose your primary platform

Pick one platform where customers can understand what you offer.

That could be a website, storefront or digital-product platform.

Step 3: Create professional branding

Use Canva to create:

A consistent business name
Profile image
Product graphics
Promotional materials
Social-media designs

Step 4: Make yourself discoverable

If your business qualifies, establish your Google Business Profile.

Complete it accurately and keep the information updated.

Step 5: Start collecting an audience

Don't depend completely on social-media algorithms.

Build an email list or another permission-based audience where appropriate.

Step 6: Test before spending heavily

This is where free tools become extremely valuable.

You can test:

Your product
Your pricing
Your target audience
Your marketing message
Your website
Your sales process

before committing substantial money to the business.

What "Free" Really Means

There is an important distinction between free to start and completely free forever.

Some platforms offer genuinely free plans but charge for additional features.

Others charge transaction fees when you make sales.

Some provide free website hosting but place limitations on domains, storage, branding or advanced features.

Therefore, always check:

Transaction fees
Payment-processing charges
Custom-domain costs
Storage limits
Product limits
Advertising requirements
Withdrawal fees
Premium features

A free platform can help you start, but a growing business may eventually need paid tools.

That isn't necessarily a problem.

The objective should be to spend when the business has a reason to spend, not simply because every other entrepreneur appears to have expensive software.

The Smartest Free Online Business Setup

for a Beginner

If you are starting from almost zero, you can keep your setup surprisingly simple.

Your basic online-business stack could look like this:

Website: Wix, WordPress.com or Canva

Branding: Canva

Local visibility: Google Business Profile

Digital products: Payhip or Selar

Nigerian online store: GOB or FinStore

Email marketing: Mailchimp

You don't need to use every option.

Choose according to what you're selling.

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting an

Online Business

1. Building a website before understanding the customer

A beautiful website cannot rescue an unclear business idea.

First understand the customer and their problem.

2. Spending too much too early

Don't spend heavily on logos, offices, software and advertising before determining whether people actually want your product or service.

3. Copying another business

Study successful businesses, but build your own identity.

4. Offering everything

A business becomes easier to understand when customers immediately know what it does.

5. Ignoring mobile users

A large percentage of online customers browse from phones.

Your website and product pages should therefore be easy to read and navigate on a small screen.

6. Forgetting trust

Customers want to know:

Who are you?
What exactly are you selling?
How can they contact you?
How does payment work?
What happens after purchase?

Make those answers obvious.

7. Expecting instant sales

Launching a website is not the same thing as building an audience.

You still need useful content, promotion, customer service, consistency and patience.

A Simple 7-Day Plan to Launch Your

Online Business

Day 1 — Choose your business idea

Identify the problem you want to solve and the people you want to serve.

Day 2 — Choose your platform

Select Wix, WordPress.com, Canva, Payhip, Selar or an appropriate Nigerian storefront depending on your business.

Day 3 — Create your brand

Design a simple visual identity and prepare your business description.

Day 4 — Build your online presence

Create your website, storefront or landing page.

Day 5 — Add your products or services

Use clear descriptions, useful images and straightforward pricing.

Day 6 — Promote

Create useful social-media content and tell people what problem your business solves.

Day 7 — Review

Test your links, contact information, checkout process and mobile experience.

Then launch.

You don't need to wait until everything is perfect.

Which Free Website Should You Start

With?

There is no single "best" free website for every online business.

The best choice depends on what you are selling.

Canva is excellent for branding and simple websites.

Wix is useful for entrepreneurs who want a visual, no-code website builder.

WordPress.com is particularly strong for blogs, content businesses and websites that can grow over time.

Google Business Profile is essential to consider for eligible local businesses that want to appear on Google Search and Maps.

Payhip is useful for selling digital and physical products.

Selar is worth considering for digital products, courses and services, especially for African creators.

GOB and FinStore are options Nigerian entrepreneurs can investigate for online storefronts.

The most important point, however, is bigger than any particular website:

You don't need a huge budget to begin testing an online business.

You need a useful product or service, a clearly defined customer, a trustworthy online presence and the discipline to keep improving.

Start small.

Build something useful.

Listen to customers.

Reinvest when the business starts showing evidence of demand.

And let the business grow from there.

AFLC 2026: Mustapha Kehinde Emerges as Winner of Week 9 Task

Following a thorough evaluation of the entries submitted by participants, the judges carefully assessed each submission based on established criteria, including quality of presentation, relevance to the topic, originality, creativity, depth of understanding, and overall execution.

After completing their critical assessment and deliberations, Mustapha Kehinde emerged as the winner of the Week 9 Task of AFLC 2026.

The Week 9 task challenged participants to address an important issue affecting Africa’s healthcare sector under the topic: “Let’s Reverse Medical Tourism Back to Africa.”

Participants were encouraged to explore the growing concern of medical tourism, whereby many Africans travel outside the continent to seek medical treatment they believe is unavailable, inaccessible, or inadequate at home. The task called on participants to examine the reasons behind this trend and highlight practical solutions that could help restore confidence in Africa’s healthcare systems.

Participants were also encouraged to discuss the need for improved medical facilities, modern healthcare technology, well-equipped hospitals, adequate funding, quality medical education, and better working conditions for healthcare professionals across the continent.

The task provided participants with an opportunity to reflect on the importance of investing in Africa’s healthcare sector, strengthening local medical institutions, supporting healthcare research, and creating an environment where qualified medical professionals can thrive.

Furthermore, participants were encouraged to highlight the role of effective leadership, government commitment, private-sector investment, innovation, and international collaboration in transforming healthcare delivery across African countries.

The central message was clear: Africa must strengthen its healthcare systems, restore public confidence in local medical institutions, and create an environment where Africans can access quality medical care within the continent.

Reversing medical tourism does not simply mean discouraging Africans from seeking treatment abroad. It requires building reliable healthcare systems that can meet citizens’ needs, attract investment, retain skilled professionals, and provide quality medical services at home.

The winning entry stood out during the evaluation process and earned the recognition of the judges as the outstanding submission for the week.

Mustapha Kehinde’s achievement highlights the importance of engaging young people in meaningful conversations about Africa’s development, particularly in areas such as healthcare, innovation, leadership, and sustainable progress.

We warmly congratulate Mustapha Kehinde on this remarkable achievement and commend all participants for their commitment, creativity, hard work, and dedication throughout the Week 9 task.

We also sincerely appreciate the parents and guardians for their continued support, encouragement, and guidance of the participants. Your involvement remains an important part of the success of AFLC 2026.

As the competition progresses, we encourage all participants to remain focused, committed, and prepared to take on the upcoming tasks.

Every task presents another opportunity to learn, grow, express ideas, inspire others, challenge existing perspectives, and demonstrate excellence.

Let us remember that Africa’s healthcare transformation begins with a willingness to identify challenges, embrace innovation, invest in local capacity, and turn promising ideas into meaningful action.

Africa, let’s reverse medical tourism! Let’s strengthen our healthcare institutions, support our medical professionals, invest in innovation, and build a continent where quality healthcare is accessible, reliable, and trusted.

Congratulations once again to Mustapha Kehinde, the winner of the AFLC 2026 Week 9 Task.

AFLC 2026 — Celebrating Excellence, Creativity, and Impact.

AFLC 2026: Adeagbo Lordsway Emerges as Winner of Week 9 Task

After completing their critical assessment and deliberations, Adeagbo Lordsway emerged as the winner of the Week 9 Task of AFLC 2026.

The Week 9 task challenged participants to address an important issue affecting Africa’s healthcare sector under the topic: “Let’s Reverse Medical Tourism Back to Africa.”

The winning entry stood out during the evaluation process and earned the recognition of the judges as the outstanding submission for the week.

Adeagbo Lordsway’s achievement highlights the importance of engaging young people in meaningful conversations about Africa’s development, particularly in areas such as healthcare, innovation, leadership, and sustainable progress.

We warmly congratulate Adeagbo Lordsway on this remarkable achievement and commend all participants for their commitment, creativity, hard work, and dedication throughout the Week 9 task.

As the competition progresses, we encourage all participants to remain focused, committed, and prepared to take on the upcoming tasks.

Every task presents another opportunity to learn, grow, express ideas, inspire others, challenge existing perspectives, and demonstrate excellence.

Congratulations once again to Adeagbo Lordsway, the winner of the AFLC 2026 Week 9 Task.

AFLC 2026 — Celebrating Excellence, Creativity, and Impact.

AFLC 2026: Bamidele Delight Emerges as Winner of Week 9 Task

After completing their critical assessment and deliberations, Bamidele Delight emerged as the winner of the Week 9 Task of AFLC 2026.

The Week 9 task challenged participants to address an important issue affecting Africa’s healthcare sector under the topic: “Let’s Reverse Medical Tourism Back to Africa.”

Participants were encouraged to explore the growing concern of medical tourism, whereby many Africans travel outside the continent to seek medical treatment that they believe is unavailable, inaccessible, or inadequate at home. The task called on participants to examine the reasons behind this trend and highlight practical solutions that could help restore confidence in Africa’s healthcare systems.

The central message was clear: Africa must strengthen its healthcare systems, restore public confidence in local medical institutions, and create an environment where Africans can access quality medical care within the continent.

Reversing medical tourism does not simply mean discouraging Africans from seeking treatment abroad. It requires building reliable healthcare systems that can meet the needs of citizens, attract investment, retain skilled professionals, and provide quality medical services at home.

The winning entry stood out during the evaluation process and earned the recognition of the judges as the outstanding submission for the week.

Bamidele Delight’s achievement reflects the importance of engaging young people in meaningful conversations about Africa’s development, particularly in areas such as healthcare, innovation, leadership, and sustainable progress.

We warmly congratulate Bamidele Delight on this remarkable achievement and commend all participants for their commitment, creativity, hard work, and dedication throughout the Week 9 task.

As the competition progresses, we encourage all participants to remain focused, committed, and prepared to take on the upcoming tasks.

Every task presents another opportunity to learn, grow, express ideas, inspire others, challenge existing perspectives, and demonstrate excellence.

Congratulations once again to Bamidele Delight, the winner of the AFLC 2026 Week 9 Task.

AFLC 2026 — Celebrating Excellence, Creativity, and Impact.

NEC Endorses a 90-Day Plan to Reduce the Cost of Living in Nigeria

Nigeria’s National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed a 90-day economic action plan aimed at reducing the cost of living, improving food affordability, attracting investment and accelerating development projects that directly benefit citizens.

The decision was announced on October 22, 2026, following the Council’s 161st meeting, held virtually and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima. The plan was proposed by the Federal Ministry of Finance as part of efforts to translate ongoing economic reforms into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.

The announcement comes amid continuing concerns about the cost of food, transportation, housing and other essential goods and services. Many households and businesses are looking for practical measures that can reduce financial pressure and improve their ability to meet daily needs.

However, while the Council has endorsed the plan, detailed implementation arrangements and measurable outcomes will be important in determining whether it delivers meaningful relief.

What Is the NEC 90-Day Economic Action Plan?

The 90-day action plan is a government initiative designed to address key economic challenges through coordinated action by federal and state authorities.

According to the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the plan focuses on five priority areas: food affordability, tax harmonisation, completion of high-impact projects, removal of investment bottlenecks and regulated household support.

The initiative seeks to connect broader economic reforms with practical benefits for households, workers, small businesses and other groups affected by rising living costs.

Although the Council has endorsed the framework, the public announcement did not provide a complete breakdown of all implementation measures, beneficiary criteria or specific targets for reducing prices within the 90-day period. These details will be important as the government moves from approval to implementation.

Five Key Areas of the 90-Day Plan

1. Improving Food Affordability

Food affordability is one of the central priorities of the plan.

The rising cost of food has placed pressure on household budgets, particularly for families that spend a significant proportion of their income on basic necessities.

The government intends to improve food affordability through measures that form part of its wider economic programme. However, the success of these efforts will depend on how effectively the authorities address the factors influencing food prices.

These factors include transportation costs, storage and distribution challenges, agricultural productivity, insecurity in farming communities and the cost of production.

Improved access to affordable food could provide meaningful relief to households. Nevertheless, the practical impact will need to be assessed through actual market prices and the availability of essential commodities rather than policy announcements alone.

2. Harmonising Taxes

Tax harmonisation is another priority identified by the Council.

Businesses operating in Nigeria often face different taxes, levies and administrative requirements across jurisdictions. Where these obligations overlap or are poorly coordinated, they can increase operating expenses and complicate business activities.

Harmonisation aims to improve coordination and make tax administration more predictable.

For small businesses, a more consistent tax environment could help reduce administrative difficulties and make it easier to plan investments, manage expenses and expand operations.

However, the precise measures to be introduced under the 90-day plan have not been fully detailed in the public announcement. Their effects will depend on the policies adopted and how they are implemented across the country.

3. Completing High-Impact Development Projects

The plan also prioritises the completion of major projects expected to deliver direct benefits to Nigerians.

Delayed infrastructure projects can increase costs for governments and businesses while postponing the benefits that communities would otherwise receive.

Completing suitable projects could improve transportation, strengthen economic connections between communities, support commerce and make essential services more accessible.

For example, better roads can reduce travel difficulties for farmers transporting produce to markets. Improved infrastructure can also help businesses move goods more efficiently.

The Council’s emphasis on high-impact projects reflects the need to ensure that public expenditure produces practical results.

Nevertheless, the benefits will depend on which projects are prioritised, their completion timelines and whether they address the most pressing needs of the communities they serve.

4. Removing Investment Bottlenecks

The fourth priority involves addressing obstacles that discourage investment and economic activity.

Investors and business owners may face challenges involving regulatory approvals, administrative delays, infrastructure limitations and uncertainty about operating requirements.

Removing unnecessary barriers could make it easier for businesses to establish operations, expand production and create employment.

Increased investment can contribute to economic activity by supporting new enterprises, improving productive capacity and creating opportunities for workers.

However, investment does not automatically translate into lower consumer prices. The benefits will depend on the sectors receiving investment, the number and quality of jobs created, competition in the marketplace and the extent to which improved production reaches consumers.

The government’s challenge will be to ensure that reforms produce measurable improvements in the operating environment for businesses while supporting broader economic participation.

5. Regulated Household Support

The fifth priority is regulated household support.

The plan identifies household support as an area for attention, but the public announcement did not provide comprehensive details about the form of assistance, eligibility requirements, payment arrangements or the number of households expected to benefit.

For Nigerians experiencing financial pressure, the effectiveness of household support will depend on whether assistance reaches eligible people and addresses clearly identified needs.

Transparent eligibility rules, reliable delivery systems and appropriate monitoring would be important safeguards for any programme introduced under this priority.

Until the government publishes further details, Nigerians should distinguish between the Council’s endorsement of household support as a policy priority and any specific cash payment or benefit that has been formally announced.

NEC Approves a National Project-Tracking Dashboard

In addition to endorsing the 90-day plan, NEC approved the establishment of a national dashboard to monitor ongoing projects across the federation.

The proposed platform is intended to strengthen transparency and accountability, including reporting on the use of proceeds from the removal of the petrol subsidy.

A project-tracking dashboard could help citizens and relevant institutions monitor the status of public projects and improve access to information about government expenditure.

Its effectiveness will depend on the accuracy, frequency and completeness of the information published.

For the initiative to build public confidence, the information should make it easier to understand which projects have been approved, how much has been spent, what remains to be completed and whether the intended benefits are being delivered.

Transparent reporting could also help authorities identify delayed projects and improve coordination between federal and state governments.

Shettima Urges Governors to Deliver Practical Benefits

Vice President Kashim Shettima urged state governors and relevant government institutions to ensure that the benefits of economic reforms translate into improved living conditions.

He highlighted affordable transportation, accessible healthcare, employment opportunities and greater financial security as important measures of economic progress.

The Council also considered the need for more affordable transportation through the adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles.

As part of its resolutions, NEC agreed to establish a joint financing framework involving federal and state governments to accelerate the deployment of these vehicles.

The Council further directed relevant authorities to engage transport unions and operators to help ensure that savings from the use of alternative-energy vehicles are passed on to passengers through lower fares.

This is significant because introducing new buses alone does not guarantee affordable transportation. The cost of operating the vehicles, the availability of infrastructure and the fares charged to passengers will all influence the programme’s impact.

For commuters, the practical test will be whether transportation becomes more accessible and less expensive.

Will the 90-Day Plan Reduce Prices?

The NEC endorsement has established a policy framework, but it is too early to conclude that the plan will automatically reduce the cost of living within 90 days.

Its impact will depend on the measures introduced, the speed of implementation and coordination between federal and state governments.

Food prices, for example, are influenced by agricultural production, logistics, market supply, energy costs and other economic conditions. Addressing only one factor may not be sufficient to produce sustained price reductions.

Similarly, investment reforms may take time to generate new jobs or increase production, while infrastructure projects may require more than three months to deliver their full benefits.

The 90-day period can nevertheless provide an opportunity for authorities to establish clear priorities, remove administrative obstacles, begin targeted interventions and publish measurable progress reports.

To assess the results, Nigerians will need access to reliable information about food prices, transport fares, programme beneficiaries, project completion and the implementation of tax-related measures.

The government will also need to explain how the plan is being funded and what safeguards are in place to ensure that public resources reach their intended purposes.

What Nigerians Should Watch for During Implementation

As implementation proceeds, several developments will help determine whether the plan is making progress.

Food prices: Changes in the prices and availability of essential food items will provide an important indication of whether affordability measures are reaching consumers.

Transportation costs: Commuters will be looking for evidence that transport initiatives translate into accessible services and lower fares.

Household support: Any assistance programme should have clearly published eligibility criteria, delivery arrangements and accountability mechanisms.

Business conditions: Simplified tax administration and fewer investment barriers should be assessed through practical changes in compliance requirements and business operations.

Public projects: The proposed national dashboard could help citizens track the progress of major projects and the reported use of public funds.

These indicators would provide a more reliable assessment of the plan than announcements alone.

Conclusion

The National Economic Council’s endorsement of a 90-day economic action plan marks a new stage in Nigeria’s efforts to address the cost-of-living challenge.

The plan focuses on five areas: food affordability, tax harmonisation, completion of high-impact projects, removal of investment bottlenecks and regulated household support.

NEC has also approved a national project-tracking dashboard and supported closer cooperation between federal and state governments on transportation initiatives intended to reduce commuting costs.

However, the ultimate impact will depend on implementation, transparency and the extent to which the measures improve conditions for ordinary Nigerians.

For households struggling with the cost of food, transportation and other essentials, the most important outcome will be practical relief. As the 90-day period progresses, clear targets, regular public reporting and measurable results will be essential to determining whether the plan delivers on its objectives.