Comments on: BBC spotlights Nigeria’s Returning Entrepreneurs

By: ufedo

ufedo — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:35:16 +0000

i saw this article a while back and having spoken to one of these entrpreneurs one on one, i felt quite proud to be nigerian. even more of us ahve a lot to offer, i think if more and more nigerians begin to come home, the lot of us would begin to agitate for better government representation of our common interest and we would indeed make a change.
some of us are only lucky to have schooled abroad as our parents are not in government or anything so i think its quite petty that some people are saying only those whose parents have money that want to come back home.
speak for urself! my parents are not rich, infact am here on a scholarship but i am coming back to nigeria because i feel i shud give to my country and not expect it to give to me all the time!

By: Samuel

Samuel — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:45:04 +0000

It is interesting to know that Nigeria still holds loads of potential, even with loads of nagativity trailing the movement

By: silva

silva — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:06:01 +0000

ONE’s comment made a lot of sense to me…
funni enof d 1st guy looks like d former governor of Kogi state and they share d same last name…just observing…

By: yd

yd — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 02:18:41 +0000

That is such an ignorant thing to say, i am presently in college in the US and i do want to go home when i am done here but it has nothing to do with my parents working in government or being wealthy. In fact neither of my parents work for the government, neither would they be considered wealthy. I just love my country and that is home for me and i believe i have a duty to do what i can to make it a better place.

By: Banke!

Banke! — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:42:45 +0000

Testament to the fact that we need each other. Sometimes we down the west as though they have nothing to offer when in reality, it’s often because of the education and experience we have attained in the west that we can go back home and become top shots. I’m not saying there havent been people who have made it big in Nigeria cos there are plenty but your friend probably would never have made it had she remained in ‘backward Africa’. Let’s temper our love for our Country with reality.

Also not to be petty as one poster pointed out but true say, if your parents\extended family are or were not bourgie in the first place, going back is tough! Doable but tough.

By: Ayodeji Adewunmi

Ayodeji Adewunmi — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:12:35 +0000

The truth is access to finance is important but we all have to realise that it will not take one across the finish line. I think these entrepreneurs and others should be encouraged…it’s a bold step coming home to create wealth and make a difference.

By: Living on $1 a week

Living on $1 a week — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:04:59 +0000

If you haven’t lived in Lagos all your life or have a rich family here. I suggest you stay where you are. Lagos life, Nigerian life is not for the faint-hearted. This is a biased, complex, competitive, nepotic, class-driven society. You need a lot of money, friends, favour and luck to start and sustain a successful business out here. Once you are successful be careful your ‘friends’ don’t try to sabotage you. Make sure you set aside a ton of your profits to hand out as ‘PR’ and don’t ever expect to get what you paid for, that would be pushing it. But if you feel you must come here to make your dreams come true I suggest you start with a nightmare. At least that way you won’t be too upset if things don’t work out.

By: Kwykwy

Kwykwy — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:47:03 +0000

What is wrong with having money to spare? So what, if they do? The fact is they are coming to make a change that will provide jobs for a huge number of people. Please see progress and stop being petty!

By: ONE

ONE — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:28:42 +0000

I totally agree with eclub. Most of the ones you see coming home are those whose parents or extended family have enough money for them to engage in entrepreneural activities – afterall, if it fails, they either return to where they are coming from or engage in another activity.

In the first place, a lot those who are abroad or have gone abroad and are very eager to return are the children of those who are or have been in government at one time or the other. They only return because they know that their ‘landing pad’ back home will be softened.

By: joy

joy — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:27:31 +0000

I applaud these youth for their faith and determination. There is truth in this article that Nigeria is indeed progressing but is it fast enough? Although I admire these ideals of a superpower unified nation and I could only wish to have similar goals, however, experience tells me we must not neglect the harsh realities of this beloved nation. I do believe, in order to proceed with our future, we must first embrace our weaknesses, in order to overcome them. Nigeria is largely in debt with over $28 billions due to compound interest from foreign creditors in year 2000. Sadly, this is common phenomenon in many developing countries where growing debt is typical for generations. Unicef estimates that over 500000 children under age of 5 die each year as a result of debt crisis. Given the current global economic downturn, and Nigeria being one of Africa’s biggest n most populated countries, can you imagine the outcome? How long will it take for Nigeria to reach global standards? I agree that Nigeria has vast opportunities for the young entrepreneurs, but these comes with conditions of private investments and self funding. How about the majority of lesser means? Are we to become another capitalist nation where the rich grow richer and the poor go poorer? I noticed, these businessmen that have been mentioned above, produce products that cater to those who have money to spend, yet the vast majority has none. People, the solution is in our very own soil. As you all know, this country’s asset is the untapped natural resources. Why are they misused and not exploited to it’s fullest potential, bewilders me. Malaysia has handsomely profited from our palm that we have given them, now they are the 2nd largest producer in the world and the largest exporter. We certainly can learn a thing or two from them. Not to mention Dantata making fortunes from nuts alone. In conclusion, earnings from a sustainable source is wiser for the nation as a whole, as opposed to individual benefits.

By: Ruby

Ruby — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:49:42 +0000

I have a friend called C.C from some where in East Africa who fled country with her parents as a toddler during the Idi Amin persecutions. She lived in England through out her childhood and hardly went back home because of the negative press being propagated by the West about her country. Secondary school, University and a Masters in the UK she got a plum job in one of the Nation’s foremost broadcasting stations settled down to work. She found there was a certain glass ceiling that refused to shift no matter how hard she worked. She also found she was training young, upcoming Oyinbos and they ended up being her bosses at the end of the day! One day she decided to take a trip to her so-called country that was ‘aids-infested, famine and poverty-stricken’ and discovered to her great delight a virgin eldorado land waiting to be conquered. She said in the period she was there she was able to handle jobs that she could only dream about if she was in the UK (upon all her qualifications!) and made enough money to pay of the mortgage on her flat, car etc in just three months of being in ‘backward Africa’. Back in her country she was feated, treated as an expatriate and was able to live in choice plum area and even have a maid, something that would have been near impossible had she been in the UK. Nobody told her to resign her job and move back fully to her country. She now has a thriving business and is one of the authorities in her field in that country. Also her bosses she couldnt even see back then while she was in the UK now confer readily with her because she is an authourity in her field in her country and they know they trained her so they will get their jobs at the quality they are used to. She couldnt be happier! Need I say more…but before you take that plunge its best to plan. Come, on a fact finding mission, make the right contacts and then do it.

By: Derrick

Derrick — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:57:21 +0000

Wow ! Nice to see my fellow comrades waking up to the realities of life. But be careful..that eureka moment when you feel the scales have fallen off your eyes can be very tricky. Make sure you have a safety net.
I lived in the UK for 7 years. Long enough to know that the English don’t want us there..we’ll still be 2nd class citizens no matter how long you stay there and how much you’ve ‘naturalised’. To be fair on them..it’s a pretty small country and it does feel a little crowded, so naturallly people get defensive when they feel threatened.
I returned back to Naij..equipped with two degrees from quite good schools, I am looking to start turning my visions for Nigeria into a reality.
This has not come without its difficulties, the greatest challenge we face as a nation lies in the heart of out greatest resource – the people.
Our vision for Nigeria has to be aligned, and we should all be able to see Nigeria as that eagle that has lived all its life as a chicken – BUT NOW READY TO SPREAD ITS WINGS AND FLY. We can do it people!

By: luvlife

luvlife — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:51:07 +0000

Endure honey, focus on your goals, bid your time and ALWAYS be on the look out for opportunities so that you can seize them when they come. I’m sure you’ll be fine.

By: Tope

Tope — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:18:54 +0000

I live in england, blessed with a good IT job, msc degree et al. but still feel unappreciated with my unparalleled efforts at work (ridiculous!). I absolutely hate it here! Also, it rains all the time and income taxes, tv licence, road tax, compulsory car insurance are extremely high. The food is also bad. (its majorly vegies).I go back home every year without wanting to return to england! I get back on the plane after each holiday and feel like a 12yr old going to some tough boarding house. I know naija might seem hard, but if u look deeper, u’ll see progress, increasing success, and i sure wanna be a part of it. Am really planning to go back, either to start my own thing by partnering with a top vendor in europe or just get a good job in lagos or abuja where i know my performance will earn me the bonuses and promotion i deserve. i hate it here so much it sucks!…and again, it never stops raining!

By: WALE ADENIJI

WALE ADENIJI — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:15:54 +0000

As you make that move,God will go with you. Whatever you lay your hands upon will surely prosper in Jesus name. You will never regret ever doing that. I am impressed by comments of people here and i pray am able to get enough money for me to return home and make my own contribution too.We can’t continue to leave the administration of the country in the hands of thieves and corrupt politicians.

By: Bola

Bola — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:56:45 +0000

How can you be showing films for free? Did you buy the rights from the producers?

By: ngum

ngum — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:34:11 +0000

WOW! this is inspirational.

By: by

by — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:02:39 +0000

Nigeria is definitely a land of opportunities,having lived in lagos all my life with a good understanding of the business enviroment and then moving abroad 2 years ago, i have come to realise that for me personally it has been a complete waste of my time owning to the fact that i have two masters degrees including an MBA from a prestigious business school.People should realise that nothing good comes easy, it might not be that easy at first but as time goes on things will definitely get better and no matter how well off you are abroad you will always still be a second class citizen in another man’s country. i know a number of people that just got tired of it all and decided to move back home and they are all doing well in their different fields now.

By: eclub

eclub — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:10:34 +0000

Hello Pips,
Am I the only one seeing a pattern here. The Kabir Audu has loads of stash his father ‘moved’ from Kogi State coffers, Pedro (we know where he’s coming from), Tunde Abdul too…c’mmon dudes, this is no rocket science, the ones coming home are the ones with money to spare…

By: Bolanle

Bolanle — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:08:05 +0000

Yes there is no place like home and many opportunities to tap into…Am always proud to hear Nigerians talk this way..Go for it and may God guide you thru.