KEY POINTS
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- Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem thrives with young innovators driving change.
- These leaders showcase resilience, creativity, and transformative ideas.
- Their work highlights the potential of innovation to solve critical challenges.
Nigeria has a growing and active entrepreneurial environment as young talents innovate to solve existing problems in industries.
These entrepreneurs, all under 40, exemplify innovation, resilience, and the potential to shape Nigeria’s economic future.
Here’s a closer look at seven of these inspiring individuals, their achievements, and their impact.
Nifemi Marcus-Bello
Nifemi Marcus-Bello was born in 1988, and he is an industrial designer and founder of Nmbello Studio,, whose focus is the innovative furniture and consumer products design.
The solutions he provides are practical, and align with cultural factors while also possessing a contemporary touch due to remarkable craftsmanship.
Nifemi’s work is characterized by his commitment to empowering local artisans and communities, emphasizing collaboration and sustainability.
His contributions to industrial design have earned him the Wallpaper Design Award in 2021 and international recognition in exhibitions that celebrate contemporary African creativity.
Ayobami Akindipe
Ayobami Akindipe is a Nigerian real estate developer. He is the chief executive officer of Ace Real Estate Development.
He earned his LL.B. degree from Kogi State University, where he studied law. Akindipe ventured into real estate development at the age of 13 as a bricklayer and later became a real estate agent at the age of 21.
Recently, he was honoured with three significant awards: Young Real Estate Person of the Year, Real Estate Company of the Year (Site and Service), and Real Estate Company of the Year (Emergent Series).
Jumoke Dada
Jumoke Dada was born in 1991, she is the founder of The Taeillo Brand, which specialises in African inspired furniture and interior design with modern twist.
Her work not only celebrates the rich cultural narratives of Nigeria but also brings innovative solutions to modern living spaces.
Jumoke has successfully expanded her brand to cater to local and international markets, gaining recognition for her unique approach to design.
In 2021, Forbes Africa listed her among 30 Under 30 innovators. She received the Future Awards Africa Prize for Creative Arts, solidifying her place as a leader in the creative industry.
Odunayo Eweniyi
Odunayo Eweniyi is a co-founder and COO of PiggyVest, a savings and investment platform that has transformed the way Nigerians manage their finances.
PiggyVest has helped millions of users build better financial habits through accessible and innovative tools.
Odunayo is also a passionate advocate for women in tech, using her platform to support gender equality in the industry.
Her leadership and impact in fintech have earned her a spot on the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 List in 2019 and recognition on the TIME100 Next List in 2022.
Chidi Nwaogu
Chidi Nwaogu, born in 1990, is the co-founder of Publiseer, a platform designed to support African creatives by providing free publishing services for books, music, and videos.
By helping creatives monetize their work globally, Chidi has bridged a critical gap in the digital content space.
His commitment to supporting African talent has won him the Migration Entrepreneurship Prize in 2020, awarded by the Swiss government, and recognition in the Yale Africa Startup Review, making him a key figure in digital publishing.
Barbara Okereke
Barbara Okereke is a Nigerian cake designer and entrepreneur, founder and managing director of Oven Secret Limited.
In 2015, Okereke started her own cake baking business in Port Harcourt and has gained the attention of the world from baking and designing cakes.
Barbara Okereke was also listed under Forbes 30 under 30 list, alongside other entrepreneurs.
In 2020, The Guardian included her on their list of 100 most inspiring women in Nigeria.
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji
Born in 1991, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji is one of Africa’s most influential tech entrepreneurs.
He co-founded Flutterwave, a fintech company that has simplified payment processes across Africa, facilitating billions of dollars in transactions.
Iyinoluwa is also the co-founder of Andela – this is a company that trains African software engineers, and provides them with employment opportunities in this sector.
His achievements in Africa’s technology sector have seen him recognised as Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list in 2017 and the Future Africa Prize for Technology and Innovation in the same year, thus ranking him as one of the key pioneers in the technology sector.
These young entrepreneurs exemplify how innovation and determination can transform industries and create opportunities.
