Good People, join me in congratulating Chairman Tony Elumelu as Heirs Energies, Africa’s leading indigenous integrated energy company, celebrates a milestone acquisition of the 20.07% equity stake in Seplat Energy Plc previously held by Maurel & Prom S.A. This transaction, valued at approximately $500 million, cements a legacy of indigenous dominance in the continental energy landscape.
In the traditions of the Igbo Nation, it is said that it takes the killing of just one leopard to be recognized as a killer of leopards; by adding this stake to a portfolio that includes Transcorp Power and AEDC, Chairman has conquered the market-leopards, ensuring all roads to the Ikoro Square are open for his ascension as the King of Africa’s Energy sector!
As I have noted here before, Chairman Elumelu played a defining role in my own transition from being a teacher to becoming a businessman. I once sought an audience with him while he was on transit in Boston. The instruction was simple: if you can make it before 7pm, we could see. I rushed to the airport; he had already checked in, but he came out. We spoke for 15 minutes. I wanted to do things in Nigeria but needed clarity from real players.
Later, when I needed clarity again, I reached out while in Nigeria. He asked me to meet him at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. For over 45 minutes, he provided guidance. And the best part? He paid for the meal at the Bukka.
Then he invited me to join the board of the $100 million TEEP Fund. For the first time, a village boy sat in a boardroom where real decisions were being made. He later invited me to UBA Group retreats, exposing me to the physics of business and markets. Yes, inside those rooms, I met humans and that brought confidence that I could be like them!
Today, we're doing very fine; yesterday, I reported that one of our portfolio companies rang the bell in NASDAQ. We have invested in many dozens of companies globally. And in Q1 2026, we will open one of our largest offices in Nigeria, in Owerri, as we begin operations in a new sector.
Chairman, I wish you a Happy New Year ahead with more bigger wins, and thanks for the kindness to this village boy. You will visit Owerri to ceremonially open our new business. When everything is ready, I will send the email.
I have lived 23 years in Nigeria and 17 years abroad. Here is what self-help gurus won't tell you
1. You can't outwork your location
I worked hard growing up in Nigeria.
Anyone who went to school with me will tell you.
I will resume school later than my mates due to late payment of fees and I will still end up among the best in class.
Poverty showed me shege!
Then I moved abroad.
Same person. Same work ethic. Same drive.
My currency had actual purchasing power.
My labour was valued 10x higher for the same work.
Infrastructure actually functioned.
That's not mindset or manifestation.
That's geography.
Your location determines your floor and ceiling.
Hard work only determines where you land within that range.
It is not your fault. It is the structural reality.
2. What you work on matters more than how hard you work.
This shifted everything for me.
Before you ask "How can I work harder?" ask this:
"The people who did this work before me - where did they end up? Do I want to end up there?"
If you don't like the destination, effort alone won't save you.
You need a different path, not more hours.
3. If you can't move physically, move digitally
I know what it feels like to have your geography hold you hostage.
But here's the only advantage our generation has: The internet doesn't check your passport like embassy.
20 years ago, I used Google to research scholarships.
Today, you have ChatGPT, Claude, and tools that would have seemed like magic back then.
But most people use the internet to scroll, not to build.
They consume content instead of creating it.
They watch other people win instead of building their own leverage.
Same tools. Completely different outcomes.
Gurus won't tell you this because it destroys their "100% mindset" business model.
Focus on these three and 2026 won't look like 2025.
Location × Leverage × Work Ethic = Outcome
Do you agree, or do you think hard work alone is enough?
If you learn from this, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
Follow me for more uncomfortable truths about success, geography, and what they won't tell you in the webinars.
I have paid the tuition. You get the lessons.
If you invest the energy of chasing people into chasing purpose, you won’t need people’s pity.
The time many waste in begging, if invested in learning a skill, their poverty will disappear on its own
The moment you stop expecting help, you discover your capacity to help yourself
The Enugu State Government is suing Sujimoto for collecting money and abandoning the job.
My question is: Are there no construction engineers in Enugu State who could have been given this job?
What is the role of Enugu’s young people beyond “Otimkpu” jobs?
When will our elites trust our young people enough to give them life-changing opportunities like this?
Chukky from Anambra State built Solution City. That’s how you keep money in the state: trust your young people with big contracts like this and monitor them to ensure they deliver.
Today, I had the pleasure of celebrating Easter Mass with the faithful at Owo, my hometown. It was a moment of deep reflection and gratitude for the sacrifice and hope that Easter represents.
Today in Enugu, we flagged off the construction of 141 urban roads across 13 zones of our state capital, starting from Ologo under the Coal Camp Zone and Monaque Avenue in the Awkunanaw Zone. This reinforces our commitment to making Enugu a premier destination for investment, business, tourism, and quality living.
This flag-off strengthens our commitment to empowering our people and creating opportunities for wealth generation. Our mission to eradicate poverty is a deliberate effort backed by strategic action. We understand that critical infrastructure like roads plays a key role in driving economic growth, reducing transportation costs, and improving the overall quality of life for our people. When businesses have better access to their customers and residents spend less on transport, we are effectively putting more disposable income in their hands and pushing poverty further away from our communities.
The roads have been carefully organised into 17 lots to ensure their completion within the next three months. We have made the necessary financial provisions and conducted due diligence to engage only competent contractors who will deliver quality work within the stipulated time.
Today’s flag-off in Ologo under the Coal Camp Zone and Monaque Avenue in the Awkunanaw Zone was particularly significant. These communities have been neglected for over forty years, with residents struggling to even construct drainage through personal contributions. That era of neglect is over. We are here to ensure that no community in Enugu is left behind in our development agenda.
I appreciate the heartfelt words from the people of Ologo and Monaque Avenue, particularly Chief Chris Okaka and Chief Ifeanyi Nnaji, who acknowledged the impact of our intervention. Their trust in our government reinforces our resolve to continue delivering results that directly improve lives.
I also commend the Council Chairmen of Enugu North and Enugu South, Hon. Ibenaku Onoh @IbenakuO and Hon. Caleb Ani, for their dedication to grassroots development. Their commitment to prioritising the needs of the people aligns with our vision for a thriving and prosperous Enugu.
On behalf of my family, I extend hearty birthday wishes to Governor Peter Mbah, @PNMbah of Enugu State. May you enjoy many more years of good health and continued service to your people and Nigeria. -AA
I was at Nomeh, Nkanu East LGA, yesterday to commiserate with my Senior Special Assistant Media, Uche Anichukwu @UCAnichukwu and his family during the funerals and celebration of the life of their mother, the late Senior Mother in Israel, Josephine Anichukwu.
From all accounts, she was a consummate teacher, inspiring mother, supportive wife as well as a community and church leader.
As an exemplary teacher, Mrs Josephine Anichukwu inculcated sound education and character in many. Her teaching career was indeed impactful, leaving many testimonies from beneficiaries.
The late Senior Mother-in-Israel was also a woman of great industry, unyielding hope, faith, courage, and a disciplinarian, who left worthy legacies on the sands of time.
May the good Lord grant her eternal repose and imbue her family with the equanimity to bear the irreparable loss. Amen.
I had the pleasure of hosting two Enugu-born creatives, the famous podcast host, Chinedu Ani (Nedu Wazobia), and Chukwudi Ezugwu (Husband Material), whose creativity continues to inspire.
It was exciting to hear their plans for the upcoming Enugu Fest—a vibrant celebration of our talent, culture and ingenuity.
We shared ideas on our innovative Smart Green Schools, the International Conference Centre, the 5-star hotel project adjacent to it, the ongoing restoration of Hotel Presidential, and the soon-to-be-unveiled Enugu Air, among other transformative projects of our administration.
Our administration is committed to empowering creatives in Enugu, providing them with the needed opportunities to reach their full potential. By giving them every needed support, we want to ensure our talent and vibrant culture shine on the global stage.
Thanks for coming!
Sometimes leaders get too caught up in their visions and forget to care for the basic needs of their people.
But the reality is that if the people are hungry today, they can’t wait for a dream to come true in the future.
Leaders must find a way to balance both, and fast.
Nkrumah had the right idea for the future, but his failure was in not addressing the present.
The people weren’t looking for factories and industries—they were looking for food. It’s a lesson for all leaders: to build a strong nation, you must first ensure your people have what they need to survive.
As a leader, it’s important to care about both.
The people need to see that their leader is working for their present and future.
If a leader focuses too much on the future, they might lose touch with the reality of the people’s daily lives.
This can cause frustration and even lead to failure….
Nkrumah’s story teaches us about the importance of balancing big dreams with the current needs of the people.
He wanted a better future for Ghana, but the people were hungry today.
If only he had taken time to understand their daily struggles, maybe his vision would have been more successful…