Asher Adeniyi, the co-founder, Eazipay and Gidijobs, who is also a Washington Fellow, has emphasised the pivotal roles of accountability and resilience in building successful businesses out of Africa.
According to Asher, effective management of resources while working on a great vision improves investors’ and stakeholders’ confidence, just as integrity is a must for leaders who must also lead by example.
During a panel discussion with the visiting Joy Basu, U.S Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and Adaora Enyi of Oncopadi , organised by the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, titled “Empowering Youths: Opportunities in Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” Adeniyi underscored the significance of harnessing passion, experience, and networks in building a thriving business venture.
Reflecting on his journey, he recollected how his diverse background, work experience, and passion led him to entrepreneurship, highlighting especially his internship during his university days where he met his mentor, a director of marketing at Coca-Cola. The relationship led to Adeniyi later working alongside his mentor overseeing important projects for multinationals in Lagos, whilst making connections and recommendations for his friends.
Driven by his fervent desire to connect young graduates with employment opportunities, he co-founded Gidijobs, his maiden venture in 2014, training and connecting 10,000s of young graduates to job opportunities.
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In 2021, the idea behind Eazipay was birthed while he was working with several companies that serviced over 300 companies in Lagos and over 10,000 Dangote cement wholesalers. Eazipay is the only payroll operations platform that makes easy-to-use tech solutions accessible for labor merchants mostly in Nigeria to simplify employee operations in an age where everyone is a business. The goal is to help with the growth of businesses while also supporting employers and workers through access to smart financial tools, resources, and services.
Through Adeniyi’s narrative, youths and entrepreneurs present at the event, which was held virtually across all the American corners in Nigeria and physically in Lagos, gained valuable insights into the vital elements of co-founder dynamics, resource management, and the transformative power of passion, experience, and networks. His story stands as a testament to the limitless possibilities that arise when determination and vision converge in the entrepreneurial realm.
