8 Amazing Nigerians that have influenced my Entrepreneurial Journey

The last couple of years have been very interesting in the world, it has been much more interesting for African Entrepreneurs. The low level of growth and development in Africa simply means African Entrepreneurs have no choice  than to be extra creative. This is also means  African Entrepreneurs solve more problems before we start seeing the kind of results we desire.

Some of the very successful African Entrepreneurs have been doing their best to influence the next generation and i have been lucky to come in contact with the following individuals one way or another:

1. The indefatigable Ibukun Oluwa Awosika once said these words at a seminar i attended a few years ago, "Entrepreneurship is a national service, it is a desperate need to the development of Nigeria", she added "drop your certificate and look for ways to create value for your country. She made me understand that as Nigerians we can contribute best by creating solutions that address real issues.

I am really glad i got to meet such amazing individual in the early days of my entrepreneurial journey, her words helped shaped the kind of entrepreneur i chose to become and i hope they can help you like they helped him.

2. Africa's premier life coach aka the Catalyst has also played a major role in my entrepreneurial journey. I heard the name Lanre Olusola a few years ago and i have been a loyal and happy student ever since, I have listened to him several times at different seminars and he keeps raising the bar every time he speaks. I try my best to listen to him every Saturdays on Radio. I really believe anyone that wants to live a better life should listen to Lanre Olusola. He advised that i should "be dynamic, be innovative, look for a solution to a problem and create value."

3. I was also lucky to listen to Olubankole Wellington aka Banky W at a seminar in Lagos. Banky said "In pursuing your dreams, one thing that is inevitable is falling down, getting up is optional." He made me understand that falling down is part of the process but getting up is what separates success from failure.

4. I listened to Sade Ademuyiwa just once but her advice meant and still means a lot to me, she said "It is not about coming up with the idea, someone else can come up with the idea. And you can link up with them." Her words made me understand the importance of cooperation in entrepreneurship. It is better to own 10% of a very successful company than 100% of a failing one. Ideas are important but execution is everything. Never underestimate the importance of linking up with the right people.

5. Mr Excellence aka Dr Femi Paul emphazised that "education is supposed to transform the mind, and the mind transform the society and it's environs." This explains how important the right education is to the development of any nation. If you want to change the world, education is a great way to do that.

6. Charles O'Tudor gave me what i felt was a very big assignment at that particular point in my life. He said "Define who you are; this is the first step you have to take. Ask yourself this question - Who are you?" If you want to create a reputable brand, you have got to be very satisfied with your answer to the above question by completely believing whatever you write down.

7. The gorgeous Dakore Akande made it as short as it needed to be. She said  "Be Real." She also taught me to "always remove the 'non' and take the 'sense' from every 'nonsense'."

8. As the national Leader of the ruling party in Nigeria, You definitely should understand why i am really unhappy about how the current administration is handling critical issues in the country. As an Entrepreneur, i am grateful for the wise words i heard from you. Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinunbu aka Jabagan said these words at a seminar i attended in 2015 "To succeed in life, you must first of all conquer your fears. In every obstacle, there is a potential opportunity."

Understanding that entrepreneurship is a journey would really determine if you succeed or not.  I had a discussion with my friend Chuks this afternoon and we both agreed that  lack of patience is one of the major reasons why Africans aren't choosing entrepreneurship but we also recognized the role we have to play to address that issue, these amazing Nigerians have helped to shape my entrepreneurial journey and i am hoping their words of wisdom would influence your journey as much as they influenced mine.

Which other Nigerians have helped shape your entrepreneurial journey and what was their advice?