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Dapo Abiola

I’ve met many established founders, and one word comes up in every conversation: growth. It’s the kind of growth that turns small ideas into global success stories it’s the heartbeat of entrepreneurship. Lately, one financial engine, in particular, has become a powerful catalyst for that dream: private equity.

Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I thought private equity firms were a miracle that came at no cost. But I’ve learned that isn’t true.

So, let’s talk about not just the benefits, but also the real price of this ‘miracle.’ My goal is for you to walk away knowing how to protect your vision if you ever consider this path.

So, what exactly is private equity (PE)? Simply put, it’s when large investors (like pension funds or wealthy individuals) pool their money to buy a stake in an established private company. Their goal is straightforward: to help the company grow, improve its operations, and then sell their stake for a large profit. This is different from venture capital (VC), which usually invests in very early-stage startups. PE firms focus on businesses that already have a proven track record.

When it works well, PE can be a powerful force for creating value, jobs, and wealth. But in a challenging business environment like Africa, one benefit stands out to founders above all others: liquidity. This is the chance to get a significant cash payout for their hard work.

s an economist, I know that capital is the fuel for any business. PE firms know this too. They offer the one thing every founder needs to scale their vision–cash. And for many, that offer is too good to resist.

Now, let’s talk about the side of the story you don’t see on LinkedIn. I’ve seen the paperwork and the aftermath of over 20 PE deals. Generic advice like “find the right partner” is not enough.

Here’s the truth: once you take PE money, you give up a level of control you will never get back. Your company culture can change overnight. Decisions that were once driven by your values become driven by data and profit margins. Your late-night brainstorming sessions turn into formal boardroom meetings. Often, your company will be loaded with debt to finance the deal and fuel growth.

It’s not necessarily evil–it’s just how the system is designed. But if you’re unprepared, you can end up with a full bank account but a company that no longer feels like your own. We’ve seen this happen time and again with companies like HealthPlus in Nigeria and iProcure in Kenya.

My advice is simple: bootstrap first and know your “BizNup.”

Think of a PE deal like a marriage. You wouldn’t rush into a marriage just because someone looks good on paper. First, you build yourself–your vision, your independence, and your company. You bootstrap for as long as you can. This teaches you the landscape, solidifies your values, and strengthens your resolve.

Only then should you look for a partner–one whose vision truly aligns with yours. And like any marriage, you need a pre-nuptial agreement. A “BizNup” locks in your non-negotiables. It protects your company culture and ensures your original team is taken care of when the big payday arrives.

Look at Tobi Lutke of Shopify. He structured his deals to preserve Shopify’s unique culture, even after taking investor money. That’s a real “BizNup” in action: clarity, conviction, and control.

Private equity is a tool, and its impact depends on how you use it. In a country like Nigeria where inflation is high, the currency is volatile, and credit is hard to come by–a PE offer can feel like a miracle. But founders must remember that not all money is smart money.

s our economy diversifies, founders need to master both sides of the growth equation: the hustle of bootstrapping and the discipline of taking on structured capital.

Private equity can amplify what you’ve already built, but it can never replace your conviction, your vision, or your purpose.

The real win isn’t the size of your exit–it’s how much of your dream still belongs to you when the deal is done.

Dapo Abiola is a seasoned entrepreneur and strategic leader with over a decade of practical experience driving ventures across the private and public sectors.

A lawyer and legal analyst, Frank Tietie, has said that once a president grants a pardon, it cannot be withdrawn.

Tietie made this known on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television.

He was reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to reverse some pardons earlier granted to certain convicts.

It will be recalled that the president had earlier reduced the death sentence of Maryam Sanda to 12 years in prison.

ccording to Tietie, a presidential pardon becomes final once it is signed.

“If we had a listening president, he would have reversed the fuel subsidy removal and electricity tariff hike,” he said.

“At the time the president signed the first pardon list, it was already a complete action. He does not have the power to reverse it because it has been accepted.

“The president cannot convict anyone. Once he grants a pardon, those people are legally free.

He cannot later say they are no longer fit for pardon. That would be an exercise of judicial power, which the constitution does not allow him to do,” Tietie added.

The Renewed HopeNational Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (RHNHGSFP) has launched the “Snacks for Thought” Breakfast Initiative in selected primary schools across Kano State, aimed at ensuring every child begins the school day nourished, focused, and ready to learn.

The pilot schools benefiting from the initiative include Sumaila Special Primary School, Kofar Nasarawa Primary School, Ganduje Nomadic School, and Magwan Primary School.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at Kofar Nasarawa Primary School, the National Programme Manager of RHNHGSFP, Dr Princess Aderemi Adebowale, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places children at the heart of national development.

“This is more than food, it is love, dignity, and a declaration that the Nigerian child matters,” Adebowale said, adding that “Every day, too many children learn on empty stomachs. ‘Snacks for Thought’ ensures that every pupil starts the day with nourishment, focus, and the freedom to dream.”

She explained that while the federal school lunch programme continues to empower smallholder farmers, support women food vendors, and engage youth in monitoring, the new breakfast initiative leverages corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, and community participation to enhance sustainability.

“Each breakfast served today builds human capital, strengthens educational outcomes, and invests in the productivity of tomorrow’s workforce,” she said, calling for collective action to ensure no child learns in hunger.

debowale commended public and private organisations, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), TechnoServe, and members of the business community, for their partnership and commitment to the initiative.

She also praised the Kano State Government for its support, noting that “Kano remains the heart of learning and commerce in Nigeria; when a programme succeeds here, its impact resonates nationwide.”

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Four persons, including a police officer, have been confirmed dead following a multiple road crash involving five trucks at Kara Bridge outward Lagos on Thursday morning.

ccording to the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the tragic accident occurred after a mechanical fault and reckless driving led to a chain collision among heavy-duty vehicles.

He said, “Upon arrival of the LASEMA Response Team at 7:09 a.m., it was discovered that five trucks had collided in a multiple crash, including a mini truck loaded with biscuits, a 40-foot containerised truck, a trailer carrying sardines, a heavy-duty long truck, and a tow truck.”

Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed that “four adult male, including a police officer, unfortunately lost their lives. Two died on the scene, while two others were pronounced dead at the hospital.”

He added that one of the tractor heads detached and plunged into the lagoon, trapping the driver and his assistant inside.

Rescue operations were immediately launched, with responders from LASEMA, FRSC, LASTMA, the Nigeria Police, and SEHMU on site to coordinate emergency management and recover bodies.

“Two vehicles have already been cleared from the road and handed over to authorities for safekeeping, while recovery operations continue for the submerged truck,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

Traffic control and diversions were implemented to prevent secondary accidents, as the crash caused major gridlock along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway corridor.

The LASEMA boss urged motorists to exercise caution, ensure proper vehicle maintenance, and avoid reckless driving to prevent further tragedies on Lagos roads.

Gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey has finally addressed reports and online debates about his decision not to monetise his viral Hallelujah Challenge on YouTube, despite claims that he could have earned over N1 billion from the platform.

Speaking during one of the live sessions of the ongoing Hallelujah Challenge, Bassey said his decision was based on divine direction, not financial logic.

“People are dragging me because I didn’t monetise my YouTube channel for the Hallelujah Challenge. I won’t monetise it, God didn’t tell me to,” he said.

Bassey, who has hosted the Hallelujah Challenge annually since 2017, explained that while some may view his decision as financially unwise, he considers it an act of obedience and spiritual integrity.

The gospel minister also revealed that some individuals have created fake accounts and rebroadcast the live praise sessions without permission in an attempt to profit from his ministry.

“There are people that now join the Hallelujah Challenge on fake pages. Some criminals take the feed from my page and air it just to make money,” he added.

Fans had earlier debated the financial potential of the month-long worship programme, with some social media users estimating that monetisation could have generated up to N1 billion in ad revenue due to its massive global following.