A new book, Courage to Succeed, has launched to spotlight the resilience of Nigerian entrepreneurship.
Authored by Yinka Padonu, creative director of Smartbrands Innovative Media Services, the book profiles 14 founders who built thriving businesses despite major challenges.
The book tells the stories of entrepreneurs including Chidi Ajaere of GIG Group, Cosmas Maduka of Coscharis Group, Odunayo Eweniyi of PiggyVest, and Tunde Onakoya of Chess in Slums Africa.
It also features Grace Ibhakomu of Lifecard Int’l Investment Ltd, Sola Adesakin of Smart Stewards Financial Academy, Wisdom Ezekiel of Pertinence Group, Kemi Fajana of Fajana Group, Tara Fela-Durotoye of House of Tara International, Olumide Adeniji of Ao Electricals and other leaders across transport, finance, and social impact sectors.
According to Padonu, Courage to Succeed is designed to document the vision, grit, and enterprise behind Nigeria’s growing business class, while offering lessons for aspiring founders across West Africa.
In a statement, he explained that the legacy book project documents their early beginnings, the obstacles they encountered, and the principles that guided their growth.
He noted that the book was written to preserve authentic Nigerian business stories and to provide a practical reference for students, young professionals and aspiring founders.
“I authored this book to put on record the experiences of Nigerians who dared to start. These are not theories. These are real stories of risk, failure, learning and eventual success,” Padonu stated. “If one young person reads this and decides to start, then the purpose is served.”
According to Padonu, the 14 entrepreneurs featured in the book represent diverse sectors and backgrounds.
Each chapter explores how they identified opportunities, mobilized limited resources, built teams, and stayed consistent through economic fluctuations.
He added that the book also examines the mindset required to succeed as a business owner in Nigeria.
“Entrepreneurship in Nigeria demands courage, patience and adaptability. The people in this book did not wait for perfect conditions. They started where they were, with what they had,” he said.
He said the book is positioned to contribute to national conversations on job creation, self-reliance and the importance of documenting indigenous business models.
The book further highlights mentorship, community support, and policy as key factors influencing enterprise growth.
The official launch of the book is scheduled for Thursday, 3rd September 2026 at the Faculty of Communication & Media Studies (FCMS) Conference Hall, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.
“Your presence will honour this milestone and celebrate the spirit of enterprise and impact in Nigeria,” Padonu said.
The launch will feature a keynote address, a panel discussion, and a book signing. Members of the media, academia, the business community and the general public are invited to attend. Copies of the book will be available at the venue.
Padonu is an author and creative director at Smartbrands Innovative Media Services, Lagos. He is a media and brand strategist focused on storytelling, visibility and enterprise development. Through his work, he helps businesses, public figures and institutions communicate with clarity and purpose.
Courage to Succeed is his latest book and reflects his commitment to documenting and amplifying Nigerian entrepreneurial journeys.
Josephine Okojie-Okeiyi is a journalist with over five years’ reporting experience. She writes on industry, agriculture, commodities, climate change, and environmental issues. She is fellow of Thomson Reuters Foundation and Bloomberg Media Initiative for Africa.
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