On this episode of #WithChude, tech tycoon, entrepreneur and businessman Iyin Aboyeji, the force behind some of the most innovative and disruptive technology in the Nigerian space, the likes of which includes Flutterwave and Future Africa, speaks to host Chude Jideonwo about his journey in the tech industry, education, living in Bariga and desire to bring and see new players in the tech field.
Speaking #WithChude, Iyin disclosed that his first company “Bookneto ” co-founded with a friend, was unsuccessful despite efforts and investments for three years.
The second company he would float “Flora”- originally for Nigerian institutions to enable them offer the courses they lack the capacity to offer, which later, because of the requirement of approval from NUC, became an e-learning course sale app and desiring expansion of Flora, Iyin met Jeremy Johnson and invited him to be the CEO of Flora as a result of the need for technical expertise and finance.
Reflecting on his decision and the restructuring of ‘Flora’ into ‘Andela’, Iyi said: “I was very desperate for success. And If someone knows what they are doing and they’ve succeeded at it, just follow them. Don’t waste your time trying to figure things out, just follow them.”
Commenting on his life as an entrepreneur in Nigeria, he acknowledged that although “a few people did help, none of the structures propping me up now helped. The system did not help me succeed, and I feel a responsibility to create an entirely new power structure of people who are like me. Break ceilings for people who don’t have access.”
Despite the difficulties navigating the tech space, Iyin continues to found and co-found innovative giants that provide solutions and build talents, proving that success is capable of sustenance.
Watch the video here:
https://youtu.be/C08w0zniXPk
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CVs9uapDVWR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
#WithChude is a special series of targeted multimedia conversations and investigations focused on narratives that enable and strengthen the mind, heart, and spirit.
All past and new episodes of #WithChude premiere on Saturdays at 7 am on watch.withchude.com. You can also watch the show every Saturday on Channels TV at 1 pm, with reruns every Sunday on Wazobia TV Channel 98 at 5 pm, every Tuesday on Rave Tv at 5 pm, every Wednesday on Pop Central Station DSTV Channel 189 at 8 pm, and every Thursday on EbonyLife TV StarTimes Channel 189/191 at 7:30 pm.
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