Nigerian businessman and billionaire Keji Giwa has triggered widespread discussion on social media after sharing controversial remarks about Nigeria’s future and the realities of running a business in the country.
During a recent podcast appearance, Giwa emphasised that politics plays a major role in business success in Nigeria.
According to him, entrepreneurs who fail to understand the connection between politics and business risk losing their investments.
He stated that anyone operating a business in Nigeria without recognising the influence of politics may struggle to succeed.
Giwa also addressed criticism often directed at business owners who maintain close relationships with political leaders, including President Bola Tinubu and members of his administration.
According to the billionaire, such alliances are not necessarily about loyalty but are often necessary to protect businesses and maintain stability in a difficult economic environment.
His comments became even more controversial when he spoke about his personal expectations for the country.
Giwa said he is not depending on Nigeria to improve and suggested that his outlook differs from that of many citizens.
He said that whether Nigeria improved or not, he was okay, adding that he was even banking on Nigeria not getting better.
He further revealed that within his company, any employee who says “God will provide” would immediately lose their job, explaining that he prefers a mindset focused on planning and action rather than hope alone.
The remarks have since generated mixed reactions online. While some Nigerians described his comments as brutally honest, others criticised his pessimistic view about the nation’s future.
Reacting online, one user commented that wealth changes people’s perception of the country and described the statement as painful but truthful.
Another person wrote that the billionaire’s message seemed to encourage survival over optimism about Nigeria’s progress.
Listen to him here.
