Four young entrepreneurs who are ready to inspire the next generation of Nigerians

Michael Adesina

The entrepreneurial landscape in Nigeria is rapidly evolving, with young leaders paving the way for Entrepreneurship and growth. From tech startups to sustainable businesses, these emerging leaders are not only changing the face of Nigerian business but are also having a global impact.

As we step into 2024, these 4 young entrepreneurs are ones to watch as they continue to shape industries and inspire the next generation of Nigerian entrepreneur.

These youths have great ideas, they desire change and they want societal progress, and neither their ages nor the harsh economic reality of the country serve as barriers.

1. Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed Falalu

Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed Falalu is an agro-entrepreneur who leads Falgates, the agro-processing company that specializes in rice cultivation and milled rice production. Falgates Rice Mill, with its origin years backdated to 2012, started doing business in 2016 with its milling capacity to process 15 tons daily, thereby bringing about the output level to absorb over 5,000 metric tonnes per annum from the various grades of production of rice.

Falalu learned his passion for agriculture at an early age, and he observed a massive opportunity in the Nigerian rice market, where Nigeria consumes over 7 million metric tonnes of rice on consumption but produces only about 2.7 million metric tonnes, resulting in massive import bills of over $2 billion.

To succeed in the agricultural business, Falalu pursued a long education and earned a graduate diploma in Computer Science and Software Engineering from Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, in 2010. He later earned a Master’s degree in Management from Swinburne University of Technology in 2012 and a second Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management from Nottingham Ningbo University Business School, China, in 2014.

Falgates employs over 50 people in Kaduna and over 150 in its sister farms in Niger and Kebbi States, an indication of how committed it is to job creation. The company’s turnover in 2017 was $450,000, and it remains very much a major player in the Nigerian economy.

Awards for his work, Falalu was included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 class of 2018 among the brightest young entrepreneurs in Africa, proving his dedication to investing in Nigerian youth and the economy as a whole.

2. Benjamin Justice Soghie

Benjamin Justice Soghie life is a witness to the strong connection between personal experience, social engagement, and the pursuit of knowledge. Born on April 17, 1986, in Fugar, Edo State, Nigeria, into a community grappling with significant challenges, Soghie’s childhood experience marked the beginning of his multi-faceted career as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, writer, and pastor. His parents, Andrew and Roseline Sophie, instilled in him values that fueled his commitment to making a tangible difference, compelling him to explore various avenues for uplifting those around him.

In his early life, Soghie was very entrepreneurial in mind, initiating small business ventures, now E.I.A Concept Limited and Apex up Limited, that not only made him financially independent but also taught him the values of perseverance and creativity. These small ventures were not merely profit-making; they were ways in which he could engage in community involvement and provide opportunities for others. He realized that entrepreneurship could be employed as a means to social change, a realization that led him even more down this path.

Soghie’s foray into philanthropy journey emerged as a natural extension of his business acumen. After attending Nisuco Staff Children School in Bacita, Kwara State, and later Government Secondary School Bacita. He began channeling his money and knowledge into causes that involved education, health, and welfare. His vision to contribute back was initiated by personal experiences of seeing the suffering of people in his community, including the lack of educational and social facilities. Through his charitable activities, he wanted not only to assist in filling the current gaps but also to enable individuals to break the poverty cycle.

Through his role as a writer and author, Soghie has authored best-selling books like Freedom, For Singles, Married & A Successful Life, which he utilized as a voice to express his experience and insights, motivating others to pursue their dreams while practicing social responsibility. His writing reflects both autobiographical and common social observations, attempting to shake up a new generation of leaders. His pastoring also allowed him to integrate his faith with his sense of service, providing advice and counsel to those seeking purpose and direction in their lives.

In his lifetime, Soghie clung to the redemptive power of education and community. His entrepreneurial ventures and philanthropic work have not only shaped him but also had an effect on the people he interacted with. Soghie’s multifaceted career attests to the type of difference one individual can make by working diligently, having empathy, and having a holistic approach to leadership.

His existence is an exemplar of how cross-cutting business, philanthropy, literary, and spiritual paths can merge to give rise to a life of empowerment and service. As he keeps inspiring others through his actions and words, Benjamin Justice Soghie remains a beacon of hope and an inspiring character in social entrepreneurship and community development literature.

As an individual who can navigate work and life’s complexities, Benjamin Justice Soghie has a firm commitment to universal values that guide his choices and conduct. Among these values, integrity is one most central to his character. For Soghie, honesty and transparency form the pillars of building trust in interpersonal and professional relationships. Being himself, he provides a foundation where respect and cooperation can thrive.

Benjamin’s entrepreneurial path was motivated by a unique mix of challenge and inspiration that it entails. Benjamin’s entrance into the world of business was driven by a previous passion for innovation and a desire to address unsatisfied needs within his community. He was a kid who always marveled at things working and loved to disassemble gadgets and assemble them according to his design. This early fascination developed into a thorough understanding of market needs, and it became imperative for him to develop solutions that not only performed but were also accessible to a broader market.

However, the beginning of Benjamin’s career as an entrepreneur was not an easy one. Among the highest hurdles he encountered was raising cash. With sparse personal resources and an untried idea, obtaining investors did not come easy. Benjamin came to appreciate the importance of a good business plan, proving not only his ideas’ ability to work but also their capabilities of becoming lucrative ventures.

3. Lucky Goodluck Mane

Lucky Goodluck Mane, also known as Onyeachonam Goodluck Chikwesiri popularly known as Lucky, is an entrepreneur and real estate developer based in Nigeria, recognized for his innovative contributions to the country’s real estate sector. As the founder of Lucky Goodluck Mane Real Estate, he has focused on creating sustainable and affordable housing solutions that cater to the growing urban population in Nigeria. Mane’s approach emphasizes the integration of modern architecture with local traditions, ensuring that developments resonate with the cultural context of their surroundings.

With a background in business and real estate, mane has been actively involved in various projects that aim to improve urban living conditions. His company has developed residential complexes, commercial spaces, and mixed-use developments that not only meet the needs of the community but also contribute to the local economy. Mane is particularly passionate about using eco-friendly materials and practices in construction, promoting sustainable living among residents.

Lucky Goodluck Mane was born on October 11, 2002, in Umueze Achi, within the Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State. Lucky began his entrepreneurial journey at the young age of 17. This early venture laid a strong foundation for his current success and his tireless commitment to social responsibility.

With experience as the CEO of Lucky Mane Group, Lucky has attained great accolades in business, particularly financial empowerment. Through his entrepreneurial background, he was awarded the greatly revered Entrepreneur of the Year title in 2022 and awarded as an Achiever in the Forex Awards. These recognitions are evidence of his success and influence in the business industry.

Lucky’s work is extremely transformative, empowering over 5,000 women via several programs intended to enhance their economic literacy and entrepreneurial skills. His relentless efforts in empowering disadvantaged communities have not gone unnoticed; they have earned him a rightful place in the YNaija 100 Must Influencer Men list, which aims at determining influencers who are making significant impacts on society.

With a strong educational foundation from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Lucky can successfully merge his book knowledge with real-world experience through his businesses. He aims to create opportunities for others, both as a reflection of his entrepreneurial nature and his desire to create a nurturing environment for those in need.

In addition to his development projects, Mane is an advocate for real estate education and mentorship. He frequently engages with young professionals and entrepreneurs, sharing his knowledge and experience to inspire the next generation of leaders in the industry. Through his efforts, mane is helping to reshape the real estate landscape in Nigeria, making a lasting impact on the community and contributing to the broader goals of sustainable urban development across Africa.

4. Olawale Ayilara

Olawale Ayilara is an entrepreneur who has engaged in business enterprises in South West Nigeria for over a decade with a history of making transactions over $200 million. He was named to the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list.

Before launching LandWey, he was the Head of Business Development, Creativity, and Strategy at Eagles Insight and Innovations as well as co-founder of Nigerian Property Investments Group, a platform that aims to simplify real estate investing for Nigerians abroad. His specialty is business strategy, development, and innovation.

Olawale holds an MBA from the Metropolitan School of Business and Management in the UK, is a graduate of an Executive Certification in Real Estate Management from Harvard University, and is a student at Harvard Business School. Olawale is a board director serving on over 10 high-profile businesses and also a member of the Sponsors for Young Growing Business Association that networks high-profile Africans.

His accolades include the Future Award for Business in 2019 and the Most Innovative Real Estate Leader Award in 2017. In December 2020, he was appointed Group CEO of Oxygen Holdings, a diversified conglomerate with interests in real estate, healthcare, fintech, and agriculture.