Olusegun Adebayo, founder of HarmonyGroup, has called for a new wave of visionary entrepreneurs to step forward and play a transformative role in solving Nigeria’s persistent economic challenges. He emphasized that unlocking the country’s immense potential requires bold leadership from the private sector—not just reliance on government intervention.
In a recent statement, Adebayo highlighted the contradiction between Nigeria’s abundant natural and human resources and the widespread socioeconomic hardship faced by its citizens. Quoting data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), he noted that over 63% of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, while youth unemployment exceeds 40%.
“Our problem is not a lack of talent or resources—it’s a crisis of vision,” Adebayo stated. “Too often, we look solely to the government to address deeply rooted systemic issues. But businesses are not only engines of profit—they are vehicles for national transformation.”
Drawing inspiration from global success stories, he pointed to nations such as South Korea and the United States, where entrepreneurial leadership helped catalyze economic growth and reduce poverty. He also acknowledged Nigerian business leaders like Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu, whose companies have generated thousands of jobs and strengthened local industries.
Yet, Adebayo stressed that isolated examples are not enough. “We need an ecosystem of solution-oriented, purpose-driven entrepreneurs—across sectors like technology, agriculture, manufacturing, and entertainment—to build the Nigeria we envision,” he said.
Sharing insights from his own journey at HarmonyGroup, he encouraged emerging entrepreneurs to build businesses that solve real-world problems, empower workers, and pursue sustainable impact beyond profit. He also urged policymakers to create enabling environments by expanding access to capital, improving infrastructure, and reforming education.
“Nation building is not an abstract idea—it is the tangible outcome of intentional action,” Adebayo concluded. “We must build institutions that endure, and a country that flourishes through the innovation and resilience of its entrepreneurs.”
