Nigeria’s economic climate has tested even the most seasoned business minds, currency fluctuations, inflation, political uncertainty, and global disruptions. 

Yet, in the midst of these storms, many Nigerian entrepreneurs have continued to rise, not only building resilient businesses but also documenting their journeys to inspire the next generation.

These books offer more than just business tips. They are stories of grit, vision, and survival in a tough but promising terrain. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, corporate leader, or curious reader, these books shed light on what it truly means to build in Nigeria.

The ‘Girls’ in the BoardRoom – Ibukun Awosika

Ibukun Awosika is no stranger to breaking barriers. As the founder of The Chair Centre Group and the first female Chairperson of First Bank Nigeria, she has redefined leadership, especially for women in business.

In The ‘Girls’ in the BoardRoom, she shares the untold stories of women who have earned their seats at powerful tables.

But this is not just a book for women. It’s a manual for anyone navigating leadership in conservative or male-dominated environments. With years of boardroom experience and a passion for nation-building, Awosika challenges stereotypes and encourages courage in the face of doubt.

Leaving the Tarmac: Buying a Bank in Africa – Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to buy and rebuild a failing bank in a chaotic economy, Aig-Imoukhuede has the answer. 

Leaving the Tarmac is part memoir, part business strategy, a powerful account of how he and his late partner, Herbert Wigwe, turned Access Bank into a top-tier financial institution.

Through honest storytelling, he walks readers through high-risk decisions, regulatory hurdles, and leadership choices that shaped the bank’s rise. It’s not just about finance, it’s about faith in vision, execution, and the kind of reform mindset that drives sustainable growth in difficult markets.

Africa, Arise and Shine – Jim Ovia

Nicknamed the “Godfather of Banking,” Jim Ovia’s story is one of discipline and bold vision. 

In Africa, Arise and Shine, the Zenith Bank founder walks readers through his journey of building one of Nigeria’s most successful banks, from modest beginnings to international recognition.

But this is more than a success story. Ovia speaks to young African entrepreneurs, urging them to believe in the continent’s potential. His message is simple: Africa can compete, innovate, and lead. Through personal anecdotes and business insights, he offers a powerful reminder that success can be built, even when the odds are stacked.

Who Says You Can’t? – Frank Nneji

Frank Nneji didn’t just build a transport business, he built a national brand. As the founder of ABC Transport, he transformed how intercity travel operates in Nigeria. 

In Who Says You Can’t?, Nneji shares the highs and lows of that journey, from taking a small business loan to becoming one of the country’s largest private employers.

His story is particularly inspiring because it shows what can happen when vision meets action. The book is filled with lessons for entrepreneurs who want to grow without compromising standards. It’s a testimony to the power of starting small, staying focused, and pushing through.

Vantage – Olumide Soyombo

In Vantage, tech investor and Bluechip Technologies co-founder Olumide Soyombo opens up about building in Africa’s fast-moving digital space. 

Divided into three key parts, the book captures the lessons of long-term thinking, calculated risk, and patient growth, all drawn from his experience as one of Nigeria’s top early-stage investors.

From launching enterprise solutions to backing startups like Paystack and PiggyVest, Soyombo’s journey is a goldmine of insight for tech founders. But it’s also deeply personal, reflecting the mindset shift needed to create lasting impact in a continent full of opportunity and complexity.

How To Sell To Nigerians – Akin Alabi

What makes Nigerian consumers tick? Akin Alabi answered this question and also breaks it down in street-smart, no-fluff language. As the founder of NairaBET, Nigeria’s first online sports betting platform, and a sitting lawmaker, Alabi has experienced business from both the streets and the boardroom.

In How To Sell To Nigerians, he gets straight to the point: Nigerians buy for emotional, practical, and often unpredictable reasons. From crafting offers that cut through doubt to building trust in a skeptical market, the book is loaded with everyday examples and sharp insights. 

Whether you’re selling products or services, Alabi’s message is clear, understanding the Nigerian customer is your first superpower.

It’s an easy read but packs a serious punch for anyone trying to grow a business in this market.

Nigeria Corporate Stories: Tales of Nigerian Boardroom Wins and Losses, Vol. 1 by Ugo Obi-Chukwu

If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on in Nigeria’s biggest companies, Ugo Obi-Chukwu’s Nigeria Corporate Stories takes you behind the scenes. Known for founding Nairametrics, Nigeria’s leading finance media platform, Ugo draws from real-life boardroom drama to tell the stories of ambition, rivalry, and decision-making at the highest levels.

From HiTV’s rise and fall, to Dangote’s surprising flour exit, to boardroom battles at UBA and Oando, this book reads like a business thriller but teaches like a case study. 

It’s a rare window into Nigerian corporate life, no sugarcoating, just raw business dynamics.

With his background as a chartered accountant and corporate finance professional, Ugo writes with clarity and context, making this a must-read for anyone interested in governance, leadership, and market strategy.

Start Small, Scale Big – Abimbola Balogun

Some businesses start big. Others grow through grit and that’s the story of Abimbola Balogun. As co-founder of So Fresh, Nigeria’s leading healthy food chain, she built a brand from a small outlet into a national chain with over 15 locations.

In Start Small, Scale Big, she lays out her journey in practical terms. The book is part guide, part mentorship, offering clear advice on managing people, building systems, and staying true to your values as your business grows.

Balogun’s voice is grounded, relatable, and focused on helping African entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls. With lessons from the shop floor to the boardroom, her book is a valuable tool for anyone looking to grow a scalable and sustainable business in Nigeria.

Entrepreneurship the SLOT Way – Nnamdi Ezeigbo

Nnamdi Ezeigbo didn’t start with much, but he had vision. Today, he’s behind SLOT Systems, a tech retail giant with over 70 outlets across Nigeria. 

In Entrepreneurship the SLOT Way, he tells the story of how a small phone repair shop in Lagos grew into one of the most trusted gadget brands in the country.

Ezeigbo’s book is rich with lessons for entrepreneurs navigating Nigeria’s tough business terrain. From battling counterfeit products to building brand loyalty, he shares the behind-the-scenes moves that turned SLOT into a household name.

But what makes the book stand out is its tone: honest, detailed, and deeply reflective. It reminds readers that success isn’t always flashy, it’s often built on persistence, focus, and learning from every mistake.

Making It Big: Lessons From a Life in Business – Femi Otedola

Few Nigerian entrepreneurs have lived as publicly or as boldly as Femi Otedola. From his rise in oil and gas to his strategic pivots in banking and energy, Otedola’s business decisions have often reshaped entire industries.

In Making It Big, Otedola offers a first-person account of the deals, risks, and personal choices that defined his journey. Though the book was only recently released, it already promises to be one of Nigeria’s most revealing business memoirs.

This isn’t just a highlight reel. Otedola reflects on his early hustle days, his fallouts, reinventions, and the principles that kept him moving forward. It’s a story of vision, timing, and knowing when to let go and start over. For anyone curious about what it takes to operate at the top of Nigerian business, this book is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and high-stakes strategy.