Boss Picks
N170 New Petrol Pump Price: Nigerians Cry Out in Agony
By Eric Elezuo
In a space of four months, the Nigerian petroleum industry, has remained inconstant, with the price of petrol undergoing three basic increments. Like a bolt out of the blue, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), announced the increment of the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, from N147.67 to N155.17. This automatically conferred the rights upon marketers to sell to end users at between N167 and N170 per litre.
The new adjustment, which takes immediate effect from Friday, November 13,2020 was contained in a memo dated November 11, and signed by Ali Tijani of the PPMC.
The memo showed that the landing cost average for PMS has increased from N119 in September and October to N123 in November.
Similarly, the ex-coastal selling price for the month has also increased to N130 in November, from N125 in the previous months. While the body of Independent marketers have directed their members to sell at N162, they failed to realise that the least a station sold before now, was N161
It would be recalled that in September, the pump price of petrol was adjusted to N161 per litre after the Federal Government increased the depot price from N138.62 per litre to N147.67. Much as the Nigerian public lamented, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, maintained that the price was good, drawing comparisons with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
In his Independence Day speech on October 1, Buhari was quoted as saying:
“We sell petrol at N161 per litre when same is sold at N168 per litre in Saudi Arabia; N211 per litre in Egypt; N362 per litre in Ghana; N362 per litre in Chad, and N346 per litre in Niger Republic. It does not make sense for petrol to be cheaper in Nigeria than Saudi Arabia.’’
Toeing his line, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, justified Buhari’s comparison, arguing that there was nothing wrong in making such a comparison.
“Some people have said why should we compare ourselves to Saudi Arabia with better infrastructure and higher wages. Our answer to that is very simple. Saudi Arabia has 34 million people while Nigeria has 200 million people. Saudi Arabia produces 10 million barrels of crude oil per day, while Nigeria produces at its best, 2.1 million barrel per day. Their population is about one-sixth of Nigeria’s population and they are blessed with more resources. Therefore, they can afford to pay higher wages and build infrastructure. Our argument must be put in proper perspective. As we have said, whatever money we make from the subsidy removal, we will invest in infrastructure development,’’ he said.
Subsequently, Nigerians had lived with the hike, coping with the post COVID-19 pandemic, which recovery from has remained abysmally slow, coupled with all other increments the populace has been burdened with by the Buhari government. Some of these hikes include electricity tariff, VAT of various kinds and others. It is also worthy of note that foodstuff, especially onions has become scarce.
As a result, a cross section of Nigerians, who spoke with The Boss expressed sadness at the turn of events, arguing that the government of the day has been busy taking the populace from one level of suffering to another.
Reacting to the new price regime, the Convener the Gravitas Group for Good Governance, Akogun Tola Adeniyi, said the Federal Government’s decision was the height of insensitivity, adding the those at the helm of affairs are without a conscience. He however, wish there is a purpose for the ‘provocative acts’
“The increment is the height of insensitivity. We live in a country without a government, and led by politicians and collaborators without a conscience. Those in charge of this country just don’t care. It is impunity of the highest order. I want to believe that the provocative acts unleashed on the people are for a purpose. They are driving Nigerians to the edge, and into severest anarchy, unfortunately,” he said.
In his own remarks, a staff of a federal government agency, who prefers anonymity, lambasted the government for failing to learn any lessons from the recent #EndSARS protests, adding that the politicians and elites do not have the interest of the people at heart.
“In the first place, the federal government has learnt nothing from the #EndSARS protest and the destruction that followed by deprived and hungry citizens. Secondly, the elites and politicians don’t have the interest of the people at heart. They are only after their pockets to the detriment of the majority of us thereby setting the stage for a revolution. As we’re all aware, those who the gods want to destroy, they first make mad. This government has gone overboard in this unprecedented maladministration,” the respondent said.
In the same vein, a Clergy, Reverend Enitan Shogbade, wondered at the efficacy of the subsidy removal, which the government has drummed into the ears of every Nigeria. He sees the new price regime draconian and wicked, asking who actually is fixing the prices since independent marketers are supposed to independently choose their own prices.
“I don’t understand this continuous increase in the pump price of petrol after we have been told that subsidies has been removed and price is to be determined by forces of demand and supply. The increase coming at this time is not only wicked, but also inciting as the masses are yet to recover from the twin evils of coronavarius lockdown and the recent protest against police brutality. This increase is another government brutalisation of the pauperised masses,” the Clergy voiced.
In the views of a social analyst, Ugochukwu Chukwunyere, the timing of the increment is unrealistic as the nation is grappling with ‘widespread unrest’ among other vices. He advised the government to take another look at the price regime before the nation relapses into anarchy.
“At a time when the nation is grappling with widespread social unrest, incessant strikes, banditry and economic downturns, the decision by the government to hike the price of fuel is most insensitive and callous to say the least.
“The citizens have been made to face a traumatic experience from the pandemic and curfew imposed as a result of the protests, so with the recent increase in petrol price, the public outcry may just fuel another unrest. It’s left for the leaders to take a wholistic appraisal to what direction the country is going before everything snowballs into utter confusion and total anarchy,” Chukwunyere said.
Below are some of the responses from Nigerians:
THE INCREMENT IS CRUEL AND HIGHLY INSENSITIVE – Tolulope A. Adegoke
The current development in the country by Federal Government can be best described as cruel and highly insensitive as it has already been met with ceaseless criticism and outrage among Nigerians; many of which lamented the bad economic conditions made worse by the sudden hike in fuel price.
The federal government increased the pump price shortly after power distribution companies announced a hike in electricity tariffs; forgetting that many Nigerians are currently struggling with the economic realities of the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted economic and social activities across the country. Put in mind that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is currently on a nationwide strike action and many other frustrating events that clusters within the country.
Insecurity, hike in fuel price, hike in electricity tariffs, corruption, ASUU strike among others would surely pave way to unavoidable outrage and unlawful acts on the sides of the Nigerian masses due to frustration. This means that, only the rich would be able to afford at least One fine square meal per day, while the underprivileged masses would languish in hunger, anger and penury!
These current issues in the country, would inevitably give rise to high rate of crime, as people would want to survive at all cost. Youths and young adults who are meant to be in school are unavoidably at home or on the street hustling for survival due to ASUU strike and would likely launch out again to vent their grievances to the Nigerian government, as the economy of the country at the moment is like shackles on the legs of the poor Nigerian masses; thereby restricting them from accessing prospects easily, and at the same time depriving them a healthy lifestyle.
In the same vein, many ‘aggrieved’ Nigerians are currently fed up with the ‘strange’ policies and situations of things in the country, as many with means would have no choice than to leave the country for greener pastures, else where which would in turn, lead to underdevelopment in the country as youths and skilled individuals who could have helped to build the country as the ‘hope of a brighter future’ are being frustrated out of the country due to harsh economic policies.
We all must remember that no flower thrives where there are no sunlights and adequate supplies of water. Also, no flower thrives when it is choked by its own thorns which were (originally) created or put in place to protect it.
We understand that the Federal Government is trying its best to develop and sustain the Nigeria’s economy, but we plead to the FG to kindly consider the poor masses who are still yet to recover from disruptions of the COVID-19 and #EndSARS protests under this current development so as not to build a ‘monster’ that would threaten and destroy its own territories in the nearest future.
BUHARI HAS SENTENCED NIGERIANS TO HUNGER, INSECURITY – Sani Said Baba
The Federal Government has just succeeded in setting the pace for unwholesome and devastating inflation because as oil prices move up, inflation which is the measure of general price trends throughout the economy, follows in the same direction. Sometimes I wonder from what source this government gets their advice. Otherwise, the president’s advisers should know that as the price of oil falls, inflationary pressure start to ease and consequently subsides. But the entire administrative machinery has overlooked this fact, and is pushing the Nigerian people into unending hardship.
It’s sad that a country that is ravaged by unemployment and hardship induced acts of criminality such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and so on should place yet another burden on the head of its citizens. With this fuel hike, the Federal Government has spoken in clear terms that Nigerians are not supposed to eat, go to school, stay secured, assess good health or live a good life. Buhari may have, by this hike weaponised the people for what may come. Nigeria needs help!
NIGERIAN ARE IN FOR A HARD TIME – Fola Oyenuga
I am expecting the law of diminishing returns to set into the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry given the almost monthly increase in the fuel price, but it seems it will not.
The talk of competition among major marketers thereby forcing down the price now is simply deceiving ourselves most likely because of the harsh business environment not helped by government agents and marketers bent on circumventing the system.
The deregulation of the oil sector is a conversation this country needs to hold, and those private investors, who had been granted licence, to building refineries need to live up to expectation or return those licences.
Meanwhile, Nigerians unfortunately have to brave for harder times.
THE TIMING OF THIS INCREMENT IS ILL-ADVISED – Raymond Nkannebe, Legal Practitioner
I think the projected price regime of PMS at ₦172, is one of the harsh realities of the removal of subsidy, by the Federal Government, on petroleum. However, the question is still begged whether the so called removal of subsidy is only in principle. I say this because, it is either government is still involved in some form of subsidy, or price fixing, as we still see the hands of the government, through its key regulatory agencies, determining the price at which PMS is sold. My understanding of subsidy removal, is that the price of the commodity, is fixed by market forces, and not by executive fiat as we’re witnessing with this latest price adjustment
These are some of the issues that many Nigerians are yet to disentangle.
Having said that, I think the timing of this increment is ill-advised. The economy is still under recession; the dust of the #EndSARS protests is yet to fully settle with civic agitations all over the place on issues such as freezing of bank accounts of some #EndSARS protesters; the rumoured regulation of social media; a bread levy in Kogi State, the endless ASUU strike and mass grumbling over electricity tariffs. What you get from all of these is a Nation on tinderbox, ready to implode at the slightest provocation.
We’re at a very precarious state in our journey through nationhood, and the entire country seems to be paying the price of years of leadership brigandage that has expressed itself in the oddity of the world’s 7th largest producer of oil, being unable to refine the resource for local consumption over the course of six decades. I don’t know how much Nigerians are willing to continue to pay the price. The times we live call for empathetic exercise of executive discretion, and all things point to the fact, that this Government is not getting it right. I hope this latest increment does not finally trigger the revolution that the #EndSARS protest, almost became.
GOVERNMENT IS INSENSITIVE TO THE PLIGHT OF THE CITIZENS – Itodo David, Clergy
Honestly, the government of the day is insensitive to the plight of the citizens. We just came out of the COVID-19 lockdown’ people’s job were closed for months, nothing worked, and no financial assistance to the masses as was promised.
As a matter of fact VAT was increased, electricity tariff was increased yet only #30,000 minimum wage is still a problem. Increasing this fuel again under how many days of the last increase is a bad omen. Everything will increase again as usual. Go to the market you will see the impacts of this fuel price hike. By December it would have reached #200 or #250 per liter. How long will this continue?
GOVERNMENT IS ADDING TO THE SUFFERING OF THE PEOPLE – Samuel Iyanda, Teacher
This is not a good time to increase the petrol pump price knowing full well that any slight increase in petrol will lead to a corresponding increase in goods and services, including transportation.
I expect government to look towards alleviating the sufferings of the masses, and not add to them.
Therefore this is not a welcomed development as the citizens are already suffering a lot. Let the government have a second thought on the hike of this essential commodity.
THIS IS PURE EVIL AND THE MASSES WON’T TAKE IT – Victor Udoh, Journalist
It is unfortunate that some of us find ourselves in this lawless country which generates one issue after another everyday. It is sad to wake up to yet another increment on the price of fuel in as many days. The idea is absurd for an oil producing country as Nigeria. I still find it very difficult to believe that with all the challenges on ground the government will still increase the price of fuel; it a pity.
The government failed to understand that whenever the price of fuel goes up, every other thing follows automatically including food, transportation and essential services. We put the government there to serve us, and not the other way round.
No sane government would think of making the lives of its citizens this miserable at this time everything seems to be at a standstill. This is pure evil and the masses won’t take it.
Barely a month ago, there was an increment, so I don’t understand why it is necessary for another one so soon. Many people are to come to terms with independence day speech of Mr. President justifying the previous increment, and now this. What is the problem with this country? What is the way forward? Who have we offended as a nation? So many questions.
INCREASING PRICE OF PETROL IS ADDING INSULT TO INJURY – Henry Ukazu, Legal Practitioner
I think it is insensitive for the Federal Government of Nigeria to increase petrol price at this point in time when Nigerians are barely trying to survive. Nigerians are already suffering and feeling the heat of COVID-19, #EndSARS and unemployment. Increasing the price of petrol is like adding insult to injury.
I think this government has not been honest with their policies. They promised to reduce the price of petrol, but the reverse seems to be the case. They promise to create job opportunities, but unemployment has increased. The issue is not even increment in fuel price, but that Nigerians have no trust in the government. In fact, they increment looks like a scam. The Federal Government should look for ways to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians, instead of adding more pains.
I will strongly advise the Federal Government of Nigeria to reconsider the price and work on meeting the pressing demands of Nigerians which is opposed to increasing the price of petrol which is not an important issue.
NO RESPECT, SYMPATHY OR FEAR OF THE PEOPLE – Felicia Onyeanwula
Amid the growing unrest in the country, the President Muhammadu Buhari led government has considered it an appropriate response to add another shock to an already beleaguered populace by increasing the pump price of fuel to N168-170. It is unbelievable that while most governments around the world are trying to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their people, this particular group of aliens are looking for every means to increase the suffering of their people.
This is one more proof that this present administration and its political elites do not have any respect, sympathy or fear of the people. We might infer that the only thing to do is to continue speaking up and acting with determination to end this arrogance in government.
In all, every Nigerian, including those who wished to remained silent as a result of party affiliation and job description, believe that the increment is absurd, uncharitable and wicked, especially coming from a government that claims to be absolutely welfaristic.
By Eric Elezuo
From whichever angle one views it, Bella, the beloved daughter of billionaire businessman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., is an enigma, a point of reference and research material for acumen, industriousness and resilience. She is the typical of the never-say-never spirit of the Nigerian women. Yes, she has taken hers a niche higher, infact beyond the reach of competitors.
Nigerian women have shown resilience, strength and character in administration, government and entrepreneurship, contributing more than their quota, and giving vent to the growth and development of the nation’s socio-economic sector. Among them is the impactful Executive Vice Chairman of the A-list communications outfit, the Globacom Group, Mrs. Bella Disu.
A strong purpose-driven professional and boardroom guru, whose administrative skills, intellect, experience and academic trajectory have remained a subject of reference, Bella, as she is fondly called, is a woman, who though has a privileged background, carved a niche for herself, climbing through ladders and cadres to get to where she presently is, and more importantly, can boast of the desired leverage and ability to defend her position.
Born Belinda Ajoke Adenuga, on May 29, 1986 to the duo of Emelia Adefolake Marquis, a Nigerian entrepreneur, and the global phenomenon, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., Bella received her early education in Lagos, at the prestigious Corona School in Victoria Island before enrolling at Queen’s College for her secondary education. In 1998, she transferred to Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, where she concluded her secondary education.
She proceeded to the University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations, and later, a Master of Science degree in Leadership from the Northeastern University, also in Boston.
In January, 2021, Abumet Nigeria Limited announced her appointment as Chairman of its Board of Directors. Abumet Nigeria Limited maintains worldwide partnerships with reputable manufactures and maintains a state-of-the-art production facility, located in FCT Abuja, fully equipped with cutting-edge machinery and technology.
Abumet is a subsidiary of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, and a leading solutions provider for the planning, processing and installation of aluminium and glass products, from single standard windows to sophisticated facades and large-scale design masterpieces. She replaced Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, upon his resignation from the board. Bella is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Management of Nigeria (MNIM) and the Institute of Directors of Nigeria (MIOD).
In addition to her French National Honour of Chevalier dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres (“CAL”), and currently the Executive Vice- Chairman of Globacom Limited, she is also the Chief Executive Officer of Cobblestone Properties & Estates Limited, and a Director on the Board of Mike Adenuga Centre.
In less than four years of her leadership, Abumet’s profits, according to Billionaire Africa, surged to 307% in 2024, marking a major turnaround from losses in 2021.
The paper reported of her exploits as follows: “As a Non-Executive Director, she helped boost Julius Berger’s revenue to N566.2 billion, pushing it into Nigeria’s top 50 listed firms.
“At Abumet, Disu is driving innovation in façade technology, deploying unitized curtain walls for improved insulation and energy efficiency in Nigeria’s construction sector.
“Nigerian business executive Bella Disu has led Abumet Nigeria Limited, an innovative glass and aluminum manufacturing company, to record-breaking earnings, with profits quadrupling at the end of the 2024 fiscal year. Her leadership has not only steered the company back to profitability but has also reinforced the business acumen that runs deep in the Adenuga family.
“In a LinkedIn post, Disu, who has served as chairman of Abumet since 2021, shared the company’s turnaround: “Abumet is reaching new heights, and I’m excited to share our latest achievements. I am especially proud of the remarkable turnaround we’ve achieved—transforming from a loss in 2021 to delivering a 307 percent increase in profit in 2024.
“At just 38, Disu has earned her place among Africa’s top executives under 40, proving her ability to drive business success while steadily stepping into the legacy of her father, billionaire Mike Adenuga, who ranks among the continent’s wealthiest individuals with a fortune of $6.8 billion. She took over as chairman of Abumet’s Board of Directors in January 2021, succeeding Bamanga Tukur at a time when the company was struggling with steep losses.
“Since then, Disu has orchestrated one of the most impressive corporate recoveries in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. Under her leadership, Abumet returned to profitability by the end of the 2022 fiscal year, bouncing back from the impact of COVID-19 and the financial challenges of 2021. The company sustained its profit in 2023 before posting a fourfold increase in 2024.
“Reflecting on this achievement, Disu credited the success to strong leadership and teamwork: “This success is the result of strategic leadership at the Board level, the dedication of our management team, and the collective effort of every Abumet employee.”
“Bella Disu expands Abumet’s market reach
As a 90-percent subsidiary of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Abumet plays a key role in the construction giant’s success. Bella Disu, who also serves as a Non-Executive Director at Julius Berger, has played a ‘much more’ active role in driving growth in the building solutions sector. By the end of the 2024 fiscal year, Julius Berger’s revenue rose from N446.1 billion ($296.4 million) in 2023 to N566.2 billion ($376.2 million) in 2024.
“Profit after tax also increased from N12.74 billion ($8.5 million) to N14.97 billion ($10 million), boosting the company’s market capitalization on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) to N202.1 billion ($134.3 million). This has placed Julius Berger among Nigeria’s top 50 publicly listed firms, ranking 35th on the NGX.
“Under Disu’s leadership, Abumet has strengthened its market position by expanding its sales and marketing efforts. The launch of its Lagos sales office has helped grow its market share for made-in-Nigeria window and door solutions, while its EVONIGGLASS insulated glass brand has gained wider recognition. Despite market challenges, the company has posted record-high revenue and profits, exceeding expectations.
Abumet deploys energy-efficient curtain walls
Looking ahead, Disu is focused on pushing innovation in advanced façade solutions, leading Abumet’s efforts in glass and aluminum manufacturing.
“Abumet is deploying unitized curtain walls that will completely envelop the façade, ensuring not just aesthetic excellence but also enhanced energy efficiency through modern insulation technologies,” she said.
With a strong record of turning businesses around and driving growth, Disu is cementing her leadership in Nigeria’s business world. Her influence now extends beyond construction, telecommunications, and real estate into the country’s broader manufacturing sector, where she continues to make a lasting impact.”
Bella’s trajectory in the world of enterprise is a clear case of the demystification of the proverbial a tree cannot make a forest’, as she has conscientiously turned tables around wherever she found herself, bring in new ideas, new innovations and structural discipline that completely overhauls a system for all the positive outcomes.
Hers, is a case of continuous rise in the business world, and the home front. She is a better definition of a virtuous woman, and at less than 40 in age, the sky holds no barrier to how much more Belinda Ajoke Olubunmi Disu nee Adenuga could achieve in the coming months.
In November 2025, at a Techx Ikoyi event, Bella made a strong case for positivism, using herself as a veritable content and well researched material. Her speech titled, Say Yes Now! Why Readiness is a Myth, is still much talked about as presented in full below:
I was 38 when I finally met my whole self. Bella Disu — the change maker, the creative, the lifelong learner, the woman unafraid to keep evolving.
It’s interesting though, I didn’t meet her in a moment of perfect readiness. I met her after I got tired of constantly walking within the same walls. Today, I’d like to share the story of how I stopped waiting, what it taught me about why we hesitate, and what happens when we finally say yes. 
A while ago, I decided to try something new. Not in business, but in my years-long fitness journey. At one point, I weighed 110 kilos. At another, 64. By my mid-30s, I had found a rhythm: 160 grams of protein a day, strength training four times a week, 10,000 steps daily. Slight work, right? I had three walking pads — one in my bedroom, one in my study, one in the office. Don’t ask. I’ve never been one for small measures.
But it worked. Of course it did. Until one day, I realized this is my life — walking in place and staring at the same walls. So, I thought maybe it’s time to move differently. Maybe I should learn tennis.
Yet, as soon as the thought came into my mind, I hesitated. I asked myself, “Should I do it? Should I wait? Wasn’t it too technical, too hard, too late?” After all, who starts tennis at 38?
Despite not feeling quite ready, I found a coach, showed up on the court, and soon I was playing tennis three, sometimes four times a week. And then, to my horror, I discovered that tennis doesn’t even give you that many steps. All those side-to-side moves don’t count. But by then, it wasn’t about steps anymore. I was hooked. And now I am often amazed at the physical and mental growth that has since happened all because of one small decision. I’d asked myself, “Should I do it? Should I wait?” And something in me answered, “Say yes now.”
But I’ve thought about why I hesitated in the first place. And it’s that for years I thought I had to wait for the right moment, for more qualifications, for a different version of myself. Psychologists call it destination addiction — the belief that happiness lives at the next milestone. So, a certain weight, title, or degree.
And I know I’m not alone. How many of you have asked yourselves: “Should I do it? Should I wait? What if I fail?” We all know that familiar voice that whispers, “Not yet.” So, if the antidote is that simple — say yes now — why don’t we all do it?
We don’t because hesitation is a conundrum. It wears the mask of readiness. And I used to mistake readiness for a finish line. Then in 2014, I met a coach I had invited to facilitate an HR session. And after the session, he said, “So tell me about Bella.”
I froze. I really did. I could talk about my work, my father’s mentorship, even my wedding — which is probably my biggest claim to fame at the time. But about me, I… I really didn’t have much to say. So, I was thankful when he offered me a complimentary session and said, “Let’s talk to Bella from 10 years ago. What would you tell her? And 10 years ahead — who is she?”
To be honest, that future Bella was hazy. But his questions drew out interests and passions I once buried. So he then said, “What’s stopping you from going after them? You can be many things at once.”
So I said a mental yes to his words — and it opened doors to pursuing diverse interests: a first master’s, later an MBA, writing and publishing my first children’s book, impacting lives through the Bella Disu Foundation, and gaining the courage to walk into rooms that once intimidated me.
You see, each step reinforced something critical: readiness is not a destination — it’s a posture. And we become ready by doing.
Today, I’m no longer a woman hesitating in life or business. And that transformation has seeped into organizations I lead. I’ve led through discomfort many times. I’ve restructured a board and redesigned corporate strategies. And I’ve dealt with the late nights, the doubts, and that familiar restlessness that keeps leaders awake thinking, “We have to make this change.”
Yet conviction, grounded in facts, gives me a sense of urgency. And that to me is leadership — seeing what could be and moving towards it. Viewing urgency as a journey toward clarity and not chaos.
And this is particularly important because organizations wrestle with hesitation just like individuals do. Some companies choose to wait for perfect timing — and lose their moment. Others say yes now — and change industries.
I’m sure you all are familiar with these three companies that sat at the same intersection in the 1990s. Remember Kodak?
Kodak saw digital images coming and froze. Blockbuster saw Netflix and laughed. Why? Organizational loss aversion. The fear of letting go of a successful past to pursue an uncertain future.
In contrast, Apple saw the same digital future and accelerated it. The difference? Two companies chose to protect their past and failed. One chose to create its future and thrived.
And that story isn’t foreign. It’s happened right here at home, too. Just think of how we went from seeing the glory days of a popular quick-service restaurant that defined our childhoods to the success and triumph of newer ones like Chicken Republic and Kilimanjaro.
We’ve also seen the rise and agility of fintechs pushing banks to challenge their long-held ways of doing business — and in doing so, unlocking entirely new markets and customer segments.
The companies that say yes now prove that courage and speed matter more than size and comfort. Therefore, the companies that thrive, the leaders who excel, the people who grow — they all share one thing: they’ve come to recognize the mask of hesitation and take it off.
When hesitation says “not yet,” they know that doing creates readiness. And when comfort offers its gentle cage, they choose the discomfort that leads to growth.
Indeed, when I look back at every important shift in my life, it began with a small yes — often inconvenient, sometimes uncomfortable, occasionally irrational.
Saying yes to tennis at 38. Saying yes to learning again. Saying yes to growth when it would have been easier to just stay still.
But here’s what I didn’t expect: saying yes never ends with you. My teams learn to challenge comfort because I did. The women I mentor raise their hands because they saw me raise mine. And my daughter Paris picked up a racket because I picked up courage.
Every yes we give ourselves becomes a light that tells someone else it is safe to begin.
So, right now in this room, someone is sitting on an idea — starting a new business, changing roles, writing that first page, booking that class. Maybe you’re waiting for perfect timing, asking yourself, “Should I do it? Should I wait?”
You already have your answer. The traffic light — it’s already green. So move. Say yes. But most of all… say yes now.
Thank you.
Bella is sure a force to reckon with; in all ramifications!
By Eric Elezuo
If there is a limit to paying dues as regards affecting humanity, Captain Emmanuel Adesegun Sotomi, has done absolutely divine, excellently well and incredibly outstanding. And he is only 45 years. Yes, December 5, 2025 was his birthday.
A typical all-rounder, Sotomi is a blend of academic, field and the unthinkable. He is a generalissimo in every field he has found himself; enterprise, camaraderie, business of 9-5 or flying for commercial purposes or pleasure. Sotomi is the future.
A brief of his adapted career trend reveals that Sotomi has seen it all, achieved it all, and can be defined as human technology transfer in the way he has mentored a great number of youths and competitors and contemporaries alike.
Philanthropism; yes, a lot of folks, who know him are full of testimonies of his open handedness, his love to rescue the needy and lift the downtrodden are phenomenal. He is a lover of humanity, a true legend in discipline.
Soft spoken and well read, Sotomi is a dream of every growing youth, who planned to be thoroughly established before the golden age. He is a role model.
Below is a derived biodata of the fast rising pilot-cum-entrepreneur…
Captain Segun Sotomi is a skilled commercial pilot, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He attended the University of Lagos before going to top-tier aviation schools in South Africa, Canada, and the United States to obtain his pilot licenses. He is currently a captain with Gulf Helicopters Qatar, a subsidiary of Qatar Petroleum.
Capt. Sotomi is licensed to operate both airplanes and helicopters [Licenses include SACAA PL (Airplane); CPL / FAA ATPL (Helicopter)]. His previous work experience includes Nest Oil, where he flew offshore.
He is also the founder and CEO of Southern Shore Integrated Services LTD, an offshore aviation logistics support company, and has a passion for working with, and empowering youths.
Captain Sotomi has served in several management positions in his flying career, and also sits on the board of different top-tier companies.
He is an avid polo player, and is happily married with children.
Happy 45th birthday!
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