Nigeria’s U-25 entrepreneurs and their exploits

Nigeria has produced a number of young entrepreneurs who defy the economic, social and cultural odds to create things that change the way business is done.

As our manner is, Start-Up Digest explores, this week, the exploits of some of the country’s under-25 entrepreneurs. The essence of this is to open the eyes of their peers to see opportunities even in the midst of challenges and perennial complaints.

Chris Kwekowe

Chris, now 24, turned down a job at Bill Gates’ Microsoft because he desired to find jobs for unemployed Nigerians through his Slatecube’s digital internship.

Before setting up Slatecube, the Abia State-born Computer Science graduate had co-founded Microbold with his younger brother, Ebube, when he was just 19. Microbold is an innovation-driven ICT solutions provider for start-ups and SMEs. It is interesting to note that 12 of Chris’ classmates did their internship at his Microbold in 2014.

Slatecube runs a three-tiered programme in which users complete courses in their selected courses, after which they are assigned virtual internships, which allow them to work remotely for big tech companies. If the big firms are satisfied with the users, they employ them. The company says the platform records 80 percent success in achieving people’s employment dream.

In 2015, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University graduate won $25,000 for the Anzisha Prize, an award for budding African entrepreneurs. Unemployment in Nigeria may not go very soon, meaning that this business will most likely become bigger as the year rolls by. Secondly, it’s also a good platform for employed people seeking to get jobs at big IT firms.

Faith Ajeyi

Faith is still undergraduate and makes money from laundry.

The 23-year-old Faith runs her own company, Phoenix Laundry Service, providing laundry services to Nigerians living in Lagos. Her ultimate aim is to provide mobile laundry services to Lagosians.

According to Faith, her company is not just about providing freshly cleaned clothes but is also creating wealth and employment for other Nigerians.

“The whole laundry service started with the desire to make money for myself despite being in school. I also seem to have a liking for washing. I first nursed the hope of running my own car washing company, but the need to own a land discouraged me,” she tells Start-Up Digest.

For Faith, who is based in Akoka, Lagos,  washing people’s clothes could be more fulfilling than washing a car, as it affords her the opportunity to play an important part in human hygiene, dignity, and respect.

Speaking on how she started the business despite the huge capital involved, Faith says that her parents, seeing the enthusiasm in her towards starting the business, decided to assist her with N100, 000, which she used to purchase two washing machines.

“The big space in my parents’ compound today is my office and I already have two workers. With hard work and commitment, I can say that I have made good profits,” she tells Start-Up Digest.

“I see this business moving forward because my clientele has increased over the month,” she says.

In spite of logistics challenges, Faith hopes her business will become bigger in a few years.

“I see it becoming a big company in two years to come. By the grace of God I will have had two outlets by then,” she states.

 “I think it is time for people to realise that they are not too young to do something. There are 17-year-olds who are making millions, so, if you think you are too young to work, then you are not living,” she adds.

Paul Ode

Paul Ode is the CEO of Paul Trend Media.  A national diploma holder from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Paul runs a blog known as ‘PaulTrendBlog’, which provides on-the-spot stories on politics, entertainment and sports, among others. He started the blog with N1, 000 with which he bought an online subscription, combining this business with studies.

He acquired some helpful skills after gaining admission to study Mass Communication in Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. During the first year, he started writing articles and news stories for online platforms.

“Being an online person, there are two things that motivate one in blogging: business and passion. Of course, everyone likes money, but I looked beyond this realm, I told myself that I needed to do it for passion, and then money would come later,” he says.

Paul explains that the potential in blogging is highly encompassing.

“Since it is a media work, one is expected to have certain features which show authenticity of issues covered. A blogger must be smart, honest, highly principled, and a peace lover on all grounds. He/she must have the ability to build content of public interests. There is no limit to what one can actually achieve online; it depends on one’s targets,” he says.

Earlier last year, through his affiliate, Paul got an ambassadorial job from Indomie Nigeria.

“The contract was to last for a whole year. Several nominees and contestants for beauty pageant have consulted me for online contests. In conjunction with my affiliates, I have offered publicity and promotion for different record labels and artistes. I am presently working as an online manager/media for MTN Automania Super Star Born King. More opportunities come every day, to mention but a few,” he discloses.

The young entrepreneur points out that there are so many projects he has at hand.

“If you know the definition of ‘PaulTrendBlog’, under the Umbrella of Paul Trend Media, you will know and realise that the sky will be the starting point. The plan is to evolve round the world, carrying out the social responsibility function of the press. Since one tree can never make a forest, the expectation is high and I am dreaming to create employment opportunities for media men and women in our society,” he states.

 Odunlami Adebayo

Odunlami is the founder of Fast Track Delivery Limited. He is an entrepreneur with experience in haulage and logistics. He started this business in July, 2015.

Odunlami was motivated by his mother’s industry as well as his desire not to leave his future to chance.

“Other than the fact that my late mum was a business woman, my love to consciously plan an amazing future for myself as an entrepreneur through self-discovery has always kept me going. I didn’t want to leave my future to chance, and I have never seen myself as the 8am -5pm guy. I saw a business opportunity in moving goods from one place to another, especially agro products, and I decided to start Fast Track Delivery Limited, a company focused on logistics, haulage, courier service, import and export,” he tells Start-Up Digest.

He started delivery with a friend’s bicycle, and after few months, he made N300,000 which he re-invested in couriers and other administrative issues.

He was the 2nd runner up at the Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) in 2015.

He founded Fast Track Delivery Limited after discovering his passion for helping to deliver packages timeously.

“I am a 24-year-old student entrepreneur with a dream to live up to the promise I made to my late mum. Aside being an entrepreneur, I work with the university radio station as a sport analyst,” he said

“My advice to other entrepreneurs is that you don’t have to be perfect before you know you are doing well. All you need is progress and not perfection. Logistics has its meanders, but also its welcoming returns,” he admonishes.

ODINAKA ANUDU

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