Why I abandoned plans to ‘japa’ – Fekomi CEO

By Enitan Abdultawab

The Chief Executive Officer of Fekomi Bitters, Adefemi Komiyo, has explained why he abandoned plans to relocate abroad, saying his experience during a recent trip convinced him that Nigeria still offers enormous opportunities for those willing to invest and work hard.

Speaking on his observations after travelling from Magodo in Lagos to parts of Ogun State, the businessman said in an Instagram post on Tuesday that he was surprised to discover that many strategically located lands had already been acquired by Chinese investors and other foreigners.

According to him, the sight made him question why many Nigerians are eager to leave the country while foreigners continue to troop into Nigeria despite its economic and infrastructural challenges.

“I drove from Magodo to Ogun State and, on getting there, I realised that the Chinese had bought so many of the lands, especially those in prime locations. It made me wonder why these people still come into Nigeria and stay despite all the problems in the country,” he said.

The entrepreneur noted that foreigners continue to identify opportunities in Nigeria and are building wealth from them, while many Nigerians focus mainly on the country’s difficulties.

“If these people can come into this country and make it big, why can’t we stay back and adjust to the reality? Foreigners keep coming in to make it here,” he stated.

Drawing a comparison with South Africa, the Fekomi Bitters boss said foreigners had moved into that country over the years in search of economic opportunities, while many locals spent their time complaining about competition from outsiders.

“It is the same way foreigners crawled into South Africa to work and make it big, while some South Africans sat back and complained. I hope we do not get to the level where we become jealous of foreigners who are succeeding here,” he added.

Mr Komiyo urged Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and the capital market, insisting that wealth creation remains possible within the country.

According to him, agriculture, production and investments in the stock exchange are among the areas with significant growth potential.

“Invest in agriculture, production and the stock exchange. It is easier than many people think to make it in Nigeria, especially through the stock exchange,” he said.

The businessman maintained that his observations strengthened his belief that relocating abroad is not the only path to success, arguing that Nigeria remains a land of opportunities for individuals prepared to identify and seize them.