A line from Robert Frost’s poem, ‘The Road Not Taken’, has always touched me: ‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –/ I took the one less travelled by/ And that has made all the difference’. Even when it seems harder, forging your own way leads to fulfilment, and that poem is a reminder to me to have the courage to follow my own vision.
I studied microbiology at university but found PwC while searching for a job. Joining the Big Four firm showed me what being an accountant could mean, but it was my dad and mum who inspired me to stay the course, helping me to transition from being a scientist to embrace a new field. Through their support I had a deeper appreciation of what my dad’s role as an accountant and my mum’s as a banker entailed.
I embraced professional qualifications, including ACCA, to progress, and gained practical knowledge of various businesses. My roles at PwC have evolved from working in tax in Lagos and New York to becoming an adviser to family businesses.
Key to being a partner is staying curious; you can’t stop learning and you must love it
Key to being a partner is staying curious; you can’t stop learning and you must love it. You need to stay connected with people, and this requires a healthy dose of emotional and nurturing intelligence. Also, you must seize opportunities and have a passion to grow the business as your own.
Nigeria is battling with slow economic growth and an unfavourable balance of trade. Inflation and unemployment rates are high, and there is also poor health provision and an unreliable power supply, which increases the cost of doing business. However, there are immense opportunities in education, technology, infrastructure, agriculture and the health sectors. Nigeria is also blessed with incredible natural resources and human talent. We need to catalyse the right pull factors to attract investment and grow wealth, and we must act with urgency.
One of my biggest achievements is founding PwC Nigeria’s private wealth business, which gives structuring advice to family businesses across multiple sectors. This has provided opportunities for me to directly impact society, relate deeply with families, and work towards ensuring that we structure businesses that outlive the founders. I also authored PwC Nigeria’s first report on the challenges of private wealth building and the national policy direction for SME growth.
Most problems could be solved if we saw each other’s humanity
What I enjoy most about my job is being able to help people – both my team and my clients. I also like public speaking opportunities.
If I had law-making powers, I would focus on reducing inequality and expanding social welfare programmes so that all people could access education, healthcare and job opportunities. Most problems could be solved if we saw each other’s humanity. I’d also create a ‘Ministry of Essential Living’, focused on building beautiful spaces.
If I were not an accountant, I would have been interested in becoming an artist, a musician, a designer or a diplomat. In my spare time I enjoy public speaking, tennis and swimming, while music helps me to unwind. I recently started taking violin lessons, which has been a fun challenge. Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my family.
