A Small World in a Big Country: Unexpected Connections in Nigeria

Nigeria, a nation of over 200 million people, is vast in every sense of the word – its opportunities, its challenges, and its sheer scale. Yet, in my travels across this dynamic country, I’ve been reminded time and time again just how small the world can feel when you’re connected to the right network.

It all began in the lobby of Lagos airport, as I was waiting for my flight to Abuja. Hearing your name mentioned at the airport is not usually a good thing but there I heard a familiar voice call my name: "Hello Isaac!" I turned to see Dr. Helen Emore founder of Scientia Partners , a formidable force in Nigeria's development and entrepreneurship space. Dr. Helen and I first connected on LinkedIn , and I’ve admired her success and deep knowledge in areas spanning talent development, marketing, and economic growth. In an unexpected but delightful turn of events, we shared the ride from the airport to town, where I had the chance to learn even more about her incredible career. Dr. Helen was on her way to lead an International Trade Centre workshop further solidifying her role as one of Nigeria’s leading development of talent.

This chance encounter highlighted something I deeply believe in – that LinkedIn, when used well, is more than just a platform. It’s a powerful connector that transcends digital boundaries, leading to real-world opportunities and relationships that fuel growth, both personal and professional.

But the coincidences didn’t end there. After the Moonshot Conference in Lagos, I found myself walking into the lobby of the Eko Atlantic Hotel, suitcase in hand, only to spot another familiar face – Andrew, a towering 2-meter-tall event organizer I’ve met at numerous industry summits. Andrew Fassnidge is the mastermind behind the African Money and DeFi Summit, a standout event in #Ghana and #Kenya that has shaped the fintech landscape across West Africa.

One of my startups in the ITC Tech Entrepreneurship cohort recalls Andrew's event for the first time and left transformed. Through networking and exposure, they were able to secure key partnerships and even funding from investors at the summit, opening doors they hadn’t even considered before. Seeing Andrew, was out of the blue but also signalled how powerful Moonshot by TechCabal is in pulling leaders from across the world. Congratulations to the TechCabal team.

Having gotten to the moonshot at the tail end of the event, I decided to make the most of the time there and managed to meet some interesting people. But by the time I came, there were more people in the lobby downstairs than on the room. As I was leaving, I shared an elevator with two strangers, casually handing out my business cards. One of them looked at the card and back at me and asked, “Are you from Ghana?” It turned out to be Patience Ayeni , a former entrepreneur in training from MEST Africa incubator where I had once given a presentation on Ghana Innovation Journal report that came out.

These random meet-ups reminded me how our paths, even when seemingly random, often cross in the most unexpected ways. A connection is not just a business card or LinkedIn contact.

These moments in Nigeria weren’t just coincidences – they were reminders of how interconnected we all are, no matter the size of the country or the industry. My travels across this incredible nation were marked by serendipity and meaningful conversations with individuals who are shaping the future of entrepreneurship and development across Africa in various ways.

This is what I’ve learned: stay open to chance encounters, keep your network strong, and always be ready to connect, wherever you are. Be good at what you do, your talent will take you places. And after all, in this big world, it’s often the small, unexpected moments that leave the biggest impact.

Welcome to my ORBIT.

Let’s continue connecting, building, and creating the future together.

#Entrepreneurship #BusinessConnections #InnovationInAfrica #NigeriaBusiness #Leadership #Networking #AfricaRising #GrowthMindset #Development #Ecommerce #FintechSummit

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