At the 2025 National Convention of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Muslim Alumni (MAPAMA) in Lagos, Nigerians were encouraged to transform the difficulties facing the country into opportunities for personal, professional and economic development rather than viewing them solely as barriers to progress.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled “Entrepreneurship in Action: Building Ethical Enterprises in Uncertain Times,” Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Niyi Yusuf, stressed that Nigeria remains a fertile ground for investment and economic growth despite current challenges.
Yusuf warned that waiting for “perfect conditions” before taking entrepreneurial steps could be a costly mistake. He noted that history shows that crises often open doors for innovation and success, using the COVID-19 era as a key example.
Companies such as Zoom, he said, expanded rapidly because they acted quickly in response to global disruptions.He further observed that many Nigerian businesses continue to thrive amid economic difficulties, demonstrating that resilience, adaptability and forward-thinking can lead to sustainable success.
Yusuf urged entrepreneurs to cultivate a proactive mindset, emphasising the importance of anticipating and preparing for crises as a pathway to enduring growth.In his contribution, the Managing Director of Credit Bureau Limited, Mr. Ahmed Popoola, advised participants to uphold ethics in business, especially during turbulent economic periods when many may be tempted to cut corners.
According to him, “If we know that we are labouring for the hereafter, please let us adopt ethical business and be truthful in our transactions with people.
When you are ethical in managing your business and your customers are satisfied, it is nearly impossible not to make a profit.”
Popoola added that businesses built on ethical foundations endure for generations, while those rooted in dishonesty collapse quickly.
Reporting by Sherifat Oyediran