Across Nigeria’s business landscape, a new class of founders is emerging, leaders who combine vision with execution, and innovation with measurable impact. These entrepreneurs are not only building companies; they are laying the foundation for sustainable industries, inclusive growth, and scalable solutions that respond to real-world needs.
From financial infrastructure to human capital development, logistics, wellness, and youth empowerment, each founder featured in this list brings a distinct perspective shaped by experience, strategy, and a commitment to excellence. Together, they reflect the evolving face of Nigerian enterprise; one defined by resilience, ingenuity, and a readiness to lead in complex and competitive markets.
This feature profiles ten standout founders whose work is driving meaningful change, creating jobs, enabling systems, and setting a new standard for leadership in business.
1. Bankole Williams
Bankole Williams is a leadership consultant and social impact advocate committed to addressing unemployment and underemployment across Africa through structured empowerment. As the founder of Live Your Dreams Africa Foundation, he has developed a results-oriented model that equips young people with the tools, training, and opportunities to build sustainable careers and contribute meaningfully to society.
Under his leadership, the initiative has become a catalyst for youth-led transformation, combining mindset reorientation with practical skills development. His approach is rooted in measurable outcomes, sustainable growth, and systems that scale. His work has earned him notable recognition, including the Google.org Award for Youth Empowerment in Africa, the Award of Excellence in Youth and Social Development, and the Coaching Icons Award.
2. Stella Eshett
As a business strategist and founder, Stella Eshett is building more than a procurement company, she’s building structures where many businesses operate on guesswork. Recognized with the Business Innovation Award by Business & Enterprise, for reshaping how companies manage supplier relationships, cost control, and operational risk in today’s volatile business environment.
Her approach is grounded in clarity, structure, and long-term thinking. Known for her sharp operational insight and disciplined execution, she brings a rare ability to turn complexity into practical systems that businesses can sustain. With expertise spanning procurement strategy, supplier risk management, and process design, she helps companies build stronger foundations for growth. Her work reflects a mindset that values consistency over chaos, and strategy over shortcuts, qualities that continue to position her as a trusted voice in the evolution of modern business practice.
3. Edmund Olotu
Edmund Olotu is the founder of Bloc and a fintech pioneer reshaping Africa’s digital economy through infrastructure that powers scale, security, and seamless global payments. A seasoned entrepreneur with a global outlook, Edmund brings deep expertise in bridging the gap between innovation and compliance.
His work demystifies complex financial systems, making it easier for startups and enterprises to launch, scale, and operate confidently in fast-evolving markets. By focusing on infrastructure rather than surface features, he’s building the critical backbone for digital commerce in Africa and beyond. Edmund’s leadership is defined by clarity, structure, and a drive to create systems that make financial access faster, smarter, and more inclusive.
4. Omon Odike
Omon Odike is a seasoned business executive and human capital strategist, serving as CEO of U-Connect and founder of Gr8jobsng; two leading platforms delivering global-standard HR solutions across Africa. With decades of experience at the intersection of talent, technology, and enterprise development, she is helping organizations build competitive teams while driving employment and workforce transformation on a continental scale.
She has extended this vision into the digital space, connecting job seekers with opportunities and enabling companies to access top-tier talent through technology-driven systems.
Hiss work reflects a deep commitment to elevating workforce standards, empowering individuals, and helping businesses scale through the power of people. Her strategic insight and consistent delivery have positioned her as a trailblazer in Africa’s evolving human capital landscape.
5. Subomi Owo-Odusi
Subomi Owo-Odusi is the founder and CEO of Novoinno, an end-to-end supply chain and logistics platform designed to simplify and optimize the movement of goods across Africa. With a sharp understanding of operational inefficiencies in traditional logistics systems, he is building technology that brings transparency, speed, and control to the heart of supply chain management.
Under his leadership, Novoinno is creating seamless linkages between manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, helping businesses track inventory, streamline deliveries, and make data-informed decisions in real time. His approach merges innovation with execution, delivering tools that not only address logistical pain points but also support business growth at scale. His work positions him as a key player in Africa’s next phase of infrastructure-driven innovation.
6. Adaeze Victoria Akuneme
Adaeze Victoria Akuneme is the founder of Advance Frontiers, a forward-facing enterprise committed to empowering individuals and organizations through leadership development, capacity building, and strategic growth initiatives. With a focus on human capital advancement, she is building systems that help people and institutions unlock their full potential.
At the heart of her work is a strong belief in purposeful leadership and structured transformation. Her approach blends clarity, structure, and intentionality, offering real value in both corporate and social impact spaces. His vision extends beyond skill-building; it’s about shaping mindsets and enabling long-term progress. As a founder, strategist, and facilitator, she continues to influence the leadership landscape with a model rooted in excellence, growth, and forward motion.
7. Ibukun Adegbulugbe
Ibukun Adegbulugbe is a founder committed to helping businesses move from visibility to tangible growth. Through his consultancy, he works closely with startups and small to mid-sized businesses to craft strategies that drive engagement, boost conversions, and position brands for long-term success.
With a deep understanding of the digital landscape, Ibukun brings a data-backed approach to marketing; combining content strategy, performance advertising, SEO, and campaign optimization to meet real business goals. As a founder, he leads with insight and precision, consistently building systems that turn online presence into business performance. He continues to shape the growth journeys of emerging brands, proving that digital marketing, when done right, can transform businesses from the inside out.
8. Basheer Tosin Ashafa
Basheer Tosin Ashafa is the co-founder and visionary leader redefining what it means to innovate at the crossroads of business and culture. With ventures spanning energy, real estate, and the creative economy, he has carved a distinct path as a transformative force in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape. His work is rooted in a rare ability to bridge commercial success with cultural depth.
In the business world, he drives sustainable innovation, developing smart energy solutions and forward-thinking real estate projects that respond to the evolving needs of modern society. At the same time, he champions Nigeria’s creative potential, backing cultural initiatives that preserve heritage, elevate local voices, and position African narratives on the global stage. His leadership not only advances industries but also redefines the role of entrepreneurship as a catalyst for national identity and collective progress.
9. Ebuka Obika Ede
As the founder of Save the Boys Initiative and convener of the Boys Leadership Academy, he advocates for the well-being of boys through mentorship, coaching, and practical leadership training. For over a decade, Ebuka has helped boys and teens develop personal responsibility, overcome harmful habits, and build a clear sense of identity and direction. His approach blends empathy, structure, and humor, creating safe spaces where young men can learn life skills, strengthen their emotional intelligence, and grow into accountable leaders.
Through one-on-one coaching and group programs, he also works closely with parents, acting as a supportive partner in nurturing the full development of their sons. His passion and commitment continue to position him as a leading voice in youth development, inspiring a new generation of men equipped with the tools to thrive.
10. Olamide Balogun
Olamide Balogun is a dynamic entrepreneur and multidisciplinary leader with nearly two decades of experience driving transformation across human resources, wellness, and business strategy. She is the founder and CEO of Box and Cedar, a top-tier HR consultancy, and AwakenLifestyles, a wellness and health coaching company focused on holistic living and personal growth.
Through Box and Cedar, Olamide has led strategic engagements with leading organizations, including Fortune 500 companies like Accenture and MTN Nigeria, delivering high-impact solutions in executive recruitment, organizational design, performance management, strategy development, and leadership retreats. Beyond business, Olamide is equally passionate about personal transformation. Through Awaken Lifestyles, she helps individuals pursue balance, health, and intentional living, reinforcing her belief that sustainable success starts with personal well-being.
