Nigerian tech entrepreneur, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, believes the key to solving Nigeria’s economic challenges lies with innovative citizens, not the government in Abuja.
During an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political show on Channels Television, Aboyeji stressed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) does not hold the answers to the country’s economic problems.
“It’s not about protesting. God bless the people protesting, but Abuja does not have the solution,” Aboyeji said. “Even though Abuja might have created the problem, we now need to look to the people. Those of us who have the means must think deeply about the future we are building. The solution won’t come from Abuja, they cannot fix our problems.”
Aboyeji, co-founder of tech giants Andela and Flutterwave, expressed concern that Nigeria lacks innovative leaders in government who can bring the necessary change.
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He highlighted the global shift in energy politics, with electric cars and engines gaining popularity, and said the country should focus less on natural resources and more on building intellectual capacity.
“I admire this government for making tough economic decisions,” Aboyeji continued. “If the administration has done anything, it’s making energy prices market-driven, allowing the currency to float, and encouraging wage increases. I think wages should be higher than N100,000 to push employers to be more productive.”
However, he pointed out the need for greater investment in education, saying, “That is my only issue with this government.”
Aboyeji also noted that Nigeria’s economic problems have been worsened by past leaders who offered cheap fuel, dollars, and imports instead of solving real issues.
“We need new ideas and innovations,” he said. “The missing piece is leadership, but that leadership won’t come from Abuja. It will come from our communities, from us figuring out how to help and lead our people.”
