The third edition of the Under 40 CEOs Forum, held in Lagos on Thursday, 6th Decemeber 2018 with accomplished professionals and emerging business leaders sharing their perspective on the theme “Wealth Creation, Management and Inclusion – Innovative Strategies To Induce Economic Prosperity.”

Under 40 CEOs Forum which has been described as the largest gathering of young African business leaders had established CEOs like Dr Ola Brown, the CEO of Flying Doctors,emergency air ambulance service, Dr Oby Ezekwsili, former Vice-President of the World Bank’s Africa division, Victor Ndukauba, Deputy Managing Director at Afrinvest West Africa and Akin Oyebode, pioneer Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.

Current and aspiring CEOs met and shared ideas in collaboration to job creation, adding economic values and positively impacting across the continent at the Eko Hotel and Suits.

One of the speakers,  Mr. Victor Nduka Uba said young entrepreneurs must learn to stoop for them to conquer. He pointed out that most successful CEOs were once employees. Their hidden secrets of success as CEOs largely depend on their disciplinary culture of wealth management as a life time commitment which takes them to the arrival stage. They set out their goals, stick to them and overtime, it starts yielding results. He advised young Africans to secure their future here in Africa.

Mr Akintunde Oyebode’s presentation tackled the UNEMPLOYMENT issues in Nigeria. Acoording to him,

“Lagos alone bags 32% of unemployment rate”, he said. “In a country where basic amenities are still a fundamental socio-economic problem, what do we expect?”

He pointed that over ₦6billion has been ushered out on loans to promote small businesses, basically for job creation. Quoting him, “Job creation drives our loans”.

Mr Akintunde believes that sustainable businesses are kicking off in Nigeria/Africa. Quoting him, he asked,

“Do you have a good product, and channel for visibility and display, then you’ll definitely sell, if you’re a social influencer.”

Dr. Ola Brown proffered systematic solutions on wealth accumulation which is controlled by three factors, time, business, and money including personal values. According to her, it all depends on the lifestyle you want to live. She concentrated on soft skill development as a vital tool for attaining a greater height in business. She urged the young CEOs to be proactive, network, find their niches and focus on them.

“You need a mentor in terms of money management to detect the right way to use your money ethically and know the specie of banks you’re dealing with. If your capital is small, then form a group to start up”, she advised.

Dr Oby Ezekwesili graced the event stating that the effect of the economy basically depending on oil has affected Nigeria negatively. According to her, the private sector is the way out through offering opportunities for job creation. She urged the young CEOs to leverage on creativity to grow Africa’s economy. She encouraged them to detect what other nations are doing and doing well, then recreate and build the economy. She pointed out that leaving so many people behind leads to entrenching inequality. Her major focus was on how Capitalism can save itself as her simple proposition on economic calamity. “The government should care for the victims of unemployment and quit the blame game”, she added.

Quoting Plato, Dr Oby Ezekwesili says, “Those who believe that politics is invalid would be governed by their inferiors.” She cried out on the issue of under 40s not involving in Nigerian politics, rather they hope to benefit from their politician friends or relatives. This she says is absolutely wrong. Everyone should be part of the country’s politics. The Presidential aspirant, ended her presentation with this question,

“As a CEO, what African problem are you solving?”

Written By Mary-Jane U. Ilozor