Businesses urged to balance expansion with regulatory compliance

Stakeholders have advised Nigerian companies to carefully balance bold expansion plans with regulatory compliance as they position for growth in 2026.

The advice was given at the Hyper Masterclass Conference organised by the Clean Ace Foundation and Academy, where experts from the tax, legal, insurance and manufacturing sectors examined strategies for sustainable business growth.

Delivering the keynote address, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Broot Consulting, Dr Kunle Iyanda, said audacity in business must be guided by structure, clarity and sound strategy.

According to him, businesses that expand without clearly defining their markets, strengthening internal systems and improving service delivery risk operational failure.

Speaking on taxation, Managing Partner at Fin-Goal Consulting, Gbenga Akinlolu, said recent tax reforms were designed to protect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and further noted that companies with annual turnovers below N100 million were exempt from most taxes.

He added that increased digitalisation has improved tax administration and transparency, urging businesses to formalise their operations to avoid penalties.

Also speaking, insurance practitioner, Peter Ajagunna, warned that many businesses operate without adequate insurance cover, exposing them to financial shocks and business disruptions.

Also speaking, Olaniran Obele, a lead counsel at Libertevie Law Practice, stressed the importance of legal compliance and corporate governance, noting that proper documentation and licensing protect businesses as they scale.

Representing industry partners, Samuel Odenusi, Head of Commercial Laundry Business, LG Electronics West Africa, highlighted the company’s extended warranties, trained local technicians and nationwide service centres as key advantages for businesses seeking long-term operational reliability.

President of the Fabricare Professionals and Dry Cleaners Association and Founder of Clean Ace Foundation and Academy, Eni Bukun Adebayo, said the masterclass was aimed at equipping businesses with practical tools for responsible growth.

He added that enterprises that combine innovation with compliance would be better positioned to survive regulatory changes and remain competitive in 2026 and beyond.