The recently concluded WorldStage Economic Summit (WES) in Lagos brought together industry leaders and experts to delve into the key elements essential for building successful startups. Adekunbi Ademiluyi, Managing Director of HumanManager Limited (HML), took centre stage, representing John Obaro, Group Managing Director of SystemSpecs Holdings Limited (SHL), and emphasized collaboration and perseverance as the linchpins of startup triumph.
In her keynote address titled “Startups Journey from Conception to Launch,” Ademiluyi outlined the strategic importance of understanding market needs, aligning organizational goals, and fostering community engagement for transformative success. She underscored the significance of strategic alignment, purposeful innovation, and pragmatic problem-solving in establishing a resilient business model.
WorldStage’s President/CEO, Segun Adeleye, expressed the organization’s commitment to actively supporting emerging startups globally. He highlighted the rising unemployment rates and challenges in the economic landscape, emphasizing the need for an enabling environment for startups to thrive.
The high-level panel discussion, “Providing an Enabling Environment for Startups,” featured Ademiluyi, Tim Akano (CEO, New Horizon Nigeria), and Mayowa Oludare (Editor-in-Chief of Global Financial Digest). Ademiluyi, drawing on her extensive experience, emphasized the importance of collaboration and a resilient organizational culture as strategic entry points for potential investors.
During the discussion, Ademiluyi and Akano both stressed the need for strategic partnerships, problem-solving, and perseverance in navigating the challenges of building startups. Ademiluyi urged budding entrepreneurs to prioritize market share and profitability from the outset, emphasizing that launching an enterprise is about monetization, customer satisfaction, and market creation.
Addressing the brain drain phenomenon in Nigeria, Ademiluyi advocated for government intervention to enhance infrastructure and improve the educational system, emphasizing the need to make the country more conducive to retain talent.
In her concluding remarks, Ademiluyi portrayed the journey from ideation to implementation as a continuous and iterative process, urging aspiring entrepreneurs to acknowledge that conceptualization is not a fixed starting point but a dynamic catalyst propelling ideas into tangible, impactful solutions.
The summit showcased SystemSpecs Holdings Limited (SHL) as a leader in the financial technology and human resources solutions industry, with subsidiaries such as Remita Payment Services Limited (RPSL) and SystemSpecs Deelaa Limited contributing to the group’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
The event provided a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and opportunities in the startup landscape, leaving attendees with valuable insights to shape the future of entrepreneurship in Nigeria and beyond.