Nigeria, which currently records a GDP growth of less than 5%, has housed some of the most resilient business minds on the African continent.
In spite of a depreciating naira, forex instability, inflationary surges, and the knock-on effects of global economic and political tensions, Nigerian entrepreneurs continue to build, adapt, and scale.
Their stories are not just found in boardrooms or earnings reports they are also documented in the books they write.
This list examines ten books written by Nigerian business owners whose companies have contributed meaningfully to the nation’s multibillion -dollar economy across industries, from fintech and transport to manufacturing, trade, and enterprise development.
These works are not just memoirs or motivational texts; they are grounded playbooks, written amidst economic turbulence and growth spurts, offering deep insight into navigating Nigeria’s business terrain.
In no order of ranking, and with a methodology anchored in business impact and sectoral contribution over the last decade, this selection celebrates books that merge storytelling with strategy.
They serve as blueprints for aspirants and reflections for peers, capturing what it truly means to build and thrive in Nigeria’s volatile, vibrant economy.
Author: Ugo Obi-Chukwu, Founder Nairametrics
- Published: Dec 5 2024
Ugo Obi-Chukwu is a leading financial analyst, publisher, and the founder of Nairametrics, Nigeria’s most influential finance media platform.
In 2024, Ugo authored Nigeria Corporate Stories: Tales of Nigerian Boardroom Wins and Losses, Vol. 1, a compelling collection of six real-life corporate sagas that reveal the inner workings, rivalries, and turning points behind some of Nigeria’s most iconic companies.
Published under Nairametrics Financial Advocates, the book documents gripping narratives from the rise and fall of HiTV to Dangote’s dramatic exit from his flour business and the high-stakes boardroom battles at UBA, Oando, and EKO Hospital. The book is a landmark contribution to business literature in Nigeria, offering valuable lessons in governance, strategy, and ambition.
A chartered accountant and former corporate finance professional, Ugo has become one of Nigeria’s foremost voices on economic policy, corporate finance, and capital markets. Through Nairametrics, he has championed financial literacy, delivering deep, data-driven insights on personal finance, macroeconomics, and business strategy to a fast-growing audience of professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs.
Ugo continues to shape the national conversation around business and economic development, helping Nigerians understand the forces shaping the markets and decisions that affect everyday life.
