Lagos, Nigeria — A consortium of industry experts has called for a renewed emphasis on collaboration, agile leadership, and intelligent automation as the backbone of Nigeria’s small and medium enterprise (SME) growth. At the inaugural SixthSense Leadership Roundtable, held under the banner “Thriving in the Next Decade: People, Technology, and Strategy Systems,” practitioners explored practical paths to resilience amid a rapidly changing global landscape.
Leadership as the engine of scale
Bright Ukwenga, principal consultant and convener of SixthSense Leadership Consulting, framed leadership as the critical multiplier in business growth. “Starting a venture may rely on a single bold mover, but scaling requires a leadership network,” he stated. He argued that organizations should invest deliberately in leadership development, linking it to measurable performance gains across teams and processes. “When leaders are aligned and capable, strategy becomes actionable and execution accelerates,” he added.
Strategic simplification in a complex economy
Samantha Ifezulike, Head of Operations at Jobberman Nigeria for Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized people as the organization’s most valuable asset. “Talent isn’t just an input; it’s the competitive advantage,” she noted. Her remarks highlighted intentional talent acquisition, ongoing development, and mentorship as foundations for sustainable profitability and organizational resilience. “Nurturing people creates a leverage that hardens through turbulent times,” Ifezulike said.
A pragmatic view on strategy and execution
Abayomi Molehin, Chief Strategy and Business Transformation Officer at Continental Reinsurance, urged attendees to demystify strategy. “Strategy is simply the roadmap from where you are to where you want to be, shaped by available resources and capabilities,” he explained. He cautioned against imitation: “Copy-paste strategies from others may misalign with your unique context. The key is to tailor plans to your real strengths and market realities.”
Market insight and focus
Molehin also warned against overcommitment to too many initiatives. He advised leaders to conduct honest internal assessments—clarifying strengths, weaknesses, and the true impact of each initiative. “Clarity in focus prevents fragmentation and keeps teams moving toward a shared destination,” he said.
AI as an enabler for growth
With Nigeria’s evolving digital economy, executives discussed how artificial intelligence can translate complex business questions into actionable insights. Attendees explored how AI can streamline decision-making, enhance market understanding, and support small businesses in navigating regulatory terrains, procurement, and customer engagement. The consensus: technology should amplify human capability, not replace it.
Policy and ecosystem context
Industry leaders acknowledged that a supportive policy environment accelerates SME momentum. They urged a concerted effort among business associations, training institutes, and government bodies to align on skills development, access to finance, and digital infrastructure. The roundtable framed these collaborations as essential to unlocking Nigeria’s entrepreneurial potential over the next decade.
The road ahead
Participants agreed that sustained leadership development, disciplined strategy execution, and thoughtful adoption of AI will be pivotal for Nigerian SMEs and leaders aiming for global competitiveness. The roundtable’s takeaway: scalable growth requires a deliberate blend of people-centric leadership, streamlined strategy, and technology that empowers rather than overwhelms.
