Articles

As I engage with several entrepreneurs, one of the recurring realisations is that they have grand plans for their companies – but alas, it’s only in their heads! If I get a dollar for each time I have met entrepreneurs with no written business plan, I would be competing with Elon Musk right now. It […]

Most entrepreneurs usually have a reason for being. Whether conceived or imposed upon them, there is always a motive for existing. Some entrepreneurs lost their jobs and needed a means of income. Some left their jobs to satisfy the entrepreneurial FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Some are born entrepreneurs (if there is anything like that),

In 2014, my wife and I walked into a popular restaurant on Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria, and it was buzzing with activities. The servers moved briskly across the tables, collecting orders, noting them on small notepads, and routing the orders to the kitchen—no sophisticated technologies. The restaurant was not short of customers, as we

I travelled to Kano city, a major commercial city in northern Nigeria. I have consistently visited Kano since 2008 when I worked with Procter & Gamble. My most frequent visits to Kano, however, are in my current role. I represented my firm on the board of a company that our fund invested in. Before Covid,

In the age where company longevity has reduced dramatically, it is no surprise that the world celebrates the few companies that have managed to transcend a few generations. Statistics are not in favour of such extended life. A study by McKinsey shows that the average lifespan of companies listed on the S&P 500 was 61

The path of entrepreneurs is fraught with several dangers from which many would ultimately navigate well and recover. However, there are a few roadblocks that are difficult, but not impossible, to recover from. And one of them is running out of cash! The cardinal rule of business is NEVER RUN OUT OF CASH! Pardon me

If there is one subject that should be drummed into the head and heart of every entrepreneur, especially in this part of the world, it is corporate governance. It easily differentiates between good and great companies. Corporate governance is the only reason some businesses have survived the test of time, patience, adversity, fears and successes

If you have invested time or money in Agriculture in Nigeria, here is a story that will resonate with your experience. “Adamu (not real name) is a vegetable farmer in northern Nigeria. He grows onions, tomatoes, ball pepper and occasionally chili pepper. Recently, he decided to raise his game and invested in some greenhouses to

For a long time to come, oil will remain the major source of revenue for Nigeria and that is not going to change anytime soon. However, given several recent events, broadening our revenue base beyond oil will help protect the economy against further radical currency devaluation, and prolonged recession which all have lasting implications.  In

I read a few days ago, the call of FRSC for complete elimination of motorbikes on the streets. I do understand and sympathise with their reasons but it’s a long shot. Motorbikes, however dangerous they are, have become a critical part of our lives. The question for me is how we can make them safer,