Meet 43 young Nigerians leveraging social media, e-commerce platforms to build successful businesses

Young entrepreneurs are transforming a variety of sectors across the country, from IT to fashion, and making an impact both domestically and abroad. Let’s examine the lives of a few of these great minds who are changing what it means to be an entrepreneur in Nigeria in 2024.

Fashion Industry

1. Bola Olaniyan – Founder of the fashion brand “bolapsd forever,” Bola has collaborated with major industry players like Nike and Ashluxe. He has successfully used social media to promote his brand and organize pop-up tours in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Toronto.

2. Tolu Bally – A prominent fashion designer and stylist, Tolu Bally is known for her brand “2207bytbally.” She has styled many Nigerian celebrities and uses Instagram to showcase her work, gaining a large following and significant influence in the fashion industry.

3. Andrea Iyamah – Founder of the fashion brand “Andrea Iyamah,” which specializes in swimwear, ready-to-wear, and bridal pieces. Andrea has gained global recognition through her vibrant designs and effective use of social media to market her collections.

4. Veekee James – Fashion Designer and Celebrity Stylist: Veekee James is a rising star in Nigeria’s fashion industry, known for her exquisite designs and styling skills. As the founder of Veekee James, her eponymous fashion brand, she has gained widespread recognition for creating glamorous and sophisticated outfits, particularly for high-profile events like weddings and red carpet appearances.

5. Adebayo Oke-Lawal – Creator of the androgynous fashion brand “Orange Culture.” Adebayo’s work challenges traditional gender norms, and he has used platforms like Instagram to reach an international audience.

Tech Industry

6. Pleasant Balogun – Founder of the fintech app “Scrim,” which was sold to Chimoney. Pleasant’s innovative approach to digital finance has made him a rising star in the tech industry.

7. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji – Co-founder of Andela and Flutterwave, two of Nigeria’s most successful tech startups. Iyinoluwa has leveraged social media to share his entrepreneurial journey and inspire other young Nigerians.

8. Odunayo Eweniyi – Co-founder of PiggyVest, a popular online savings and investment platform. Odunayo is a key figure in Nigeria’s fintech space and uses social media to advocate for financial literacy and inclusion.

9. Shola Akinlade – Co-founder of Paystack, a leading payment processing company in Nigeria that was acquired by Stripe. Shola’s influence in the tech space is significant, and he uses digital platforms to discuss entrepreneurship and technology.

10. Prosper Otemuyiwa – Co-founder of Eden Life and Developer Advocate: Prosper is a well-known software engineer and developer advocate in Africa. He co-founded Eden Life, a tech-powered home services company. Prosper is active on Twitter and other platforms, where he shares technical knowledge and career advice for aspiring developers.

11. Ezra Olubi – Co-founder of Paystack: Paystack is one of Nigeria’s most successful fintech startups, enabling businesses to accept payments easily. Ezra, who serves as the CTO, is recognized for his technical expertise and innovative contributions to Nigeria’s digital payments space. He uses social media to engage with the tech community and share insights on product development.

E-commerce Industry

12. Onyeka Akumah – Founder and CEO of Farmcrowdy, Nigeria’s first digital agriculture platform. Onyeka uses social media to promote Farmcrowdy’s mission of empowering farmers and providing food security.

13. Obi Ozor – Co-founder of Kobo360, a logistics and e-commerce company that connects truck drivers with businesses. Obi has used social media to build the brand and attract investment.

14. Tayo Oviosu – Founder and CEO of Paga, an e-commerce platform focused on mobile payments. The platform has grown to become one of the most widely used payment solutions in Nigeria, serving millions of users and processing billions of dollars in transactions annually. Under his guidance, Paga has won numerous awards and recognition, including being named one of the “Most Promising Fintech Startups” by Forbes.

Creative Industry/Entertainment

15. Anthony Azekwoh – An artist and writer who uses African folklore in his work. Anthony has gained recognition through his active social media presence where he shares his art.

16. Tolu Ajayi – A filmmaker and visual artist, Tolu has used digital platforms to showcase his creative projects and connect with a global audience.

17. Joeboy – A singer and songwriter who has gained international fame. Joeboy uses social media to promote his music and connect with fans globally.

18. Burna Boy – Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy has leveraged social media to expand his global reach and influence in the music industry.

Other Notable Entrepreneurs

19. Bukky Asehinde – Founder of CareerHubAfrica, a platform connecting young professionals with job opportunities.

20. Temidayo Oniosun – Founder of Space in Africa, a platform that provides news, data, and analysis on the African space and satellite industry. Temidayo is recognized globally for his work in promoting Africa’s space industry.