Venture Valley

After building Konga into one of Nigeria's biggest e-commerce companies, Sim Shagaya returned to the idea he had postponed for years—education. In this conversation, Sim explains why he ignored the critics who said EdTech was a losing business, how ULesson was conceived before Konga, and the framework he uses to identify billion-dollar opportunities. He also shares insights on AI, insurance, r...

Are unicorns really the goal? In this episode, Sim Shagaya challenges one of the biggest myths in entrepreneurship: that billion-dollar valuations are the ultimate measure of success. From building Konga and DealDey to founding uLesson and Miva, Sim shares why sustainable businesses, real value creation, and solving meaningful problems matter more than chasing headlines. Watch the full conversatio...

Creativity starts with ideas, but it scales with structure and intention. In this episode of Venture Valley, we sit down with Chuka Obi, Director of Creativity & Innovation at Globacom and a leading voice in Africa’s creative ecosystem, to unpack what it really takes to build a sustainable creative economy—beyond hype, raw talent, and viral moments. Chuka shares his journey from writing comic...

In this episode of Venture Valley, we sit down with Bello-Osagie A. Teslim, a Global Agricultural Finance Expert, ACCA, MSc (The University of Manchester Business School), and Group CEO & Co-Founder of Sunclave Investment Limited.
Teslim has spent years structuring agricultural finance solutions across Africa, and he breaks down why agriculture is the continent’s most undervalued yet highest-p...

What if Nigeria’s greatest goldmine isn’t oil but creativity? In this episode of Venture Valley, we sit down with Obi Asika , Director General of the National Council for Arts & Culture (NCAC) and a foundational architect of Nigeria’s modern creative industry. Obi breaks down the true power of Nigerian culture , the rise of Afrobeats , the evolution of Nollywood , and why the creative economy...

In this episode of Venture Valley, we sit with Janada, the visionary founder of Mint Organic Care, one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing organic skincare brands. Her journey started not from a boardroom — but from a personal struggle with sensitive skin and a deep desire to live more intentionally. What began as a homemade routine in her father’s kitchen evolved into a quiet revolution that’s shaping A...

How do you turn attention into revenue in Africa’s booming creative economy? In this episode of Venture Valley, we sit down with Dr. Tochukwu Macfoy, popularly known as “Dr. Foy”—a medical doctor turned media entrepreneur and founder of Same Energy Global and Energize Music. Dr. Foy breaks down the hidden opportunities in Africa’s creative landscape and reveals how creators can build sustainable e...

How do you turn attention into revenue in Africa’s booming creative economy? In this episode of Venture Valley, we sit down with Dr. Tochukwu Macfoy, popularly known as “Dr. Foy”—a medical doctor turned media entrepreneur and founder of Same Energy Global and Energize Music. Dr. Foy breaks down the hidden opportunities in Africa’s creative landscape and reveals how creators can build sustainable e...

From selling shirts during ASUU strike to building one of Africa’s fastest-growing fashion empires, Adedoyin Balogun’s story is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and vision. In this episode of Venture Valley, we sit with Adedoyin Balogun — Founder and Creative Director of Baldon Clothiers, as he shares his story on how he turned a moment of frustration into a billion-dollar opportunity, now...

In this episode of Venture Valley, we sit down with Adedeji Owonibi, fintech entrepreneur, blockchain advocate, and former banker, to unpack the myths and realities of blockchain in Africa. Deji shares his insights on why blockchain is often misunderstood, the link between crypto scams and regulation, and how Africa can use blockchain to solve real problems — from financial inclusion to trust in i...

In this episode of Venture Valley, we sit down with Bayo Omoboriowo, the man who went from hustling in Mushin to becoming the Official Photographer to Fmr President Muhammadu Buhari, a Guinness World Record holder, and the builder of creative spaces empowering Africa’s next generation. Bayo shares his raw journey: how he risked it all, turned setbacks into stepping stones, and built multiple creat...

In this episode of Venture Valley, African entrepreneur Odera McFoy-Akachukwu shares why he turned down a $20K offer from Apple to pursue something far more important—building scalable African businesses and creating generational wealth. This conversation dives into:✅ The courage to reject prestige and security for vision and purpose✅ Childhood lessons that shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and...

In this episode of Venture Valley Podcast, we sit down with Jacqueline Suowari, a globally recognised Nigerian ballpoint pen artist whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary. She shares how she went from 500 rejected emails and 4 years without a single gig, to building a career that has taken her art to international galleries and collectors worldwide. Jacqueline opens up about resilience, t...

In this episode of Venture Valley, we sit down with Crystal Ikani Musa — Managing Partner at Visa Immigration Pro and Partner at Expectation State — to explore her inspiring journey from practicing law in Washington, D.C. to building a purpose-driven career in Nigeria. Crystal reveals one of the biggest mistakes founders make when seeking investors: chasing money before building the right legal an...

He started out showing designs on an iPad in Nigerian clubs and hotel lobbies. Today, Charles Oronsaye is the Founder & Creative Director of Africana Couture, a global menswear brand dressing presidents, celebrities, and business leaders. In this episode of Venture Valley, Charles reveals how he turned a student hustle into one of Africa’s biggest fashion powerhouses and the business lessons h...

In this episode of Venture Valley Podcast, we dive into the hot debate: Nepo Babies vs Lapo Babies — Privilege vs Hustle. Does being born into privilege guarantee success, or does true impact come from those who grind from scratch? We explore powerful examples from Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, and other African business leaders shaping the startup and entrepreneurship scene. Along th...

Join us as we explore the intersection of food and business with Chef Stone. He insights, and expertise on what it takes to succeed in the competitive food industry. Whether you're passionate about entrepreneurship, the restaurant business, or African success stories, this episode is packed with lessons and insights for you. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the food industry and learn f...

In this episode, Yomi Jemibewon, Managing Partner at CardinalStone Capital Advisers, shares how his team helped scale the i-Fitness brand while tackling challenges in Nigeria’s business environment, and transforming i-Fitness into a household name. Yomi shares how they have managed to thrive despite multiple downturns in the global economic scene. If you're interested in knowing what to do and...

How do you bounce back when your entire business is demolished overnight? That’s exactly what happened to Obi, founder of Papiee’s Maetro, and in this episode, he shares his journey of resilience, strategy, making tough business decisions and how he has remained resilient and adaptable through it all. In this episode, he shares what it truly takes to run a successful business in Nigeria’s tough ec...

In this episode, Toyin Olufon, Lead Consultant at Lefort Professional Services, shares lessons learned from growing up in a business-oriented family. She shares her journey from helping her businesswoman mother to becoming a business consultant with a focus on innovation, adaptability, and leveraging financial data to navigate economic challenges. In this episode, she shows us: - How to track cust...

Ever wondered what it takes to turn content creation into a business? In this episode, we chat with Salem King, the accidental content creator who turned a 30-day video challenge into a thriving career. Salem shares how he started creating content to improve his communication skills and accidentally found success through authentic storytelling. In this conversation, we uncover: - How Salem transit...

In this episode, we sit down with Toyin Olufon, Lead Consultant at Lefort Professional Services, to explore the business landscape, and outlook for 2025. Toyin offers practical strategies and insights to help businesses navigate the challenges of 2025 and beyond. In this episode, you’ll also learn: - How to prepare your business for the coming year. - Key market trends that every entrepreneur must...

In this episode, we sit down with Yomi Jemibewon, Managing Partner at Cardinal Stone Capital Advisers, to discuss, among other things, their journey with i-Fitness, West Africa’s leading fitness chain. Yomi shares how his team helped scale the brand, tackle challenges in Nigeria’s business environment, and transform i-Fitness into a household name. In this episode, you’ll also learn: - Lessons fro...

In this episode, Olumide Soyombo, co-founder Bluechip Technologies Ltd, shares his journey as a Venture Capitalist, highlighting the evolution of Africa's tech ecosystem. Discover his investment strategies, lessons learned from other founders, and his call for innovation to solve real-world problems. This discussion covers talent development, co-founder dynamics, and how African startups can tap i...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of cybersecurity with Gbolabo Awelewa, a tech founder specializing in safeguarding organizations and individuals from online threats. Gbolabo shares his unique journey from building IT infrastructures at InterSwitch to co-founding Cybervergent, a leading cybersecurity firm in Nigeria. We discuss the growing importance of data protection, cyber defense s...