At the BusinessDay Young Innovators Forum in Lagos on Wednesday, industry experts delivered a clear message to young Nigerians: the era of unstructured hustling must give way to properly built, value-focused enterprises. The event, themed “From Hustle to Enterprise,” took place at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel in Victoria Island and brought together leading voices in business strategy, branding, and entrepreneurship.
Throughout the forum, speakers stressed that sustainable enterprises begin with clarity of purpose. Facilitator Tokunbo George-Taylor highlighted that many emerging founders struggle because they launch businesses without identifying the core problem they intend to solve. She noted that defining this problem creates both direction and identity for the business.
“That problem becomes your narrative—it’s what sets you apart and shapes your value proposition,” she explained.
George-Taylor also underscored that for entrepreneurs hoping to compete globally, strong internal structures are non-negotiable. She pointed to governance, capacity development, compliance, and trust as the pillars that determine whether a business can scale.
She encouraged participants to continuously evolve, stay imaginative, hire strategically, and prioritize feedback. “Feedback fuels innovation,” she emphasized.
Brand consultant Olufemi Oguntamu also challenged the youth to be patient with the entrepreneurial process. He cautioned against the pressure to chase fast profits, insisting that true business growth stems from consistently offering value.
“Don’t chase money—start small, stay focused, and let your value speak for you,” he said.
Oguntamu added that entrepreneurs should invest in showcasing their work, cultivating meaningful professional relationships, and refining their brand strategies. Authenticity, credibility, and intentional communication, he said, are what earn the trust of customers and investors.
“Present yourself well, be reliable, and build your brand with purpose. Trust is everything,” he concluded.
