Country Manager, International Workplace Group (IWG), Ayo Akinmade, has stated that the Nigerian economy is improving; consequently, Nigerians can plan better due to the favourable exchange rate.

Akinmade said this during the unveiling of partnership between IWG and Regus to launch an inspiring, innovative workplace at Number One Lagos, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“Anybody who tells you the economy is not improving is telling you a lie. How do you know if the economy is on the rise? Is the exchange rate stable? People might feel that the economy is hard; that’s true. It is hard. But there is nothing that is hard that will not become easy. You have to first tell yourself that it is going to be easy. Be positive in your thinking. Also, as a business owner, if you have a stable environment, you can plan. No one knew where the exchange rate was going; now we know where it is, hence, one can plan. Once you can plan, then you can commit your resources to that plan. Those resources will eventually generate more money,” he said.

He described the office space as a creative ground where innovators, entrepreneurs, and professionals can build, connect, and thrive.

Akinmade said that the new workspace spans over 1,300 square meters of office space on the sixth floor, offering a state-of-the-art environment for businesses to thrive.

He said, “We are driven, and we are offering what people want. And because we offer what people want, we have to keep running. This year, we intend to double the number of locations. Our business is to make the workspace welcoming. Our logo is ‘Welcome home… oh, sorry… office.’ We always want to create an environment where people feel at home. If you remove our sleep hours, the rest of the time we are at work. So, we try to create a conducive environment for our clients,” he said.

“Apart from providing office spaces, we also ensure that unique features are available. Number One Lagos is our 17th workspace since we started. We started in 2008, and between 2008 and 2016, we had three workspaces. From 2016 to 2021, we grew to five. In January 2025, we were at 10. By December this year, we will be at number 21.”

Speaking also, representative of Number One Lagos, Hanna Frangieh, said collaboration has always been at the heart of the firm.

“Today, we are proud to launch this state-of-the-art workspace in partnership with IWG-Regus. This space captures the true spirit of Lagos’ work life. It’s more than walls and furniture; it’s a creative ground where innovators, entrepreneurs, and professionals can build, connect, and thrive. Together, we are welcoming businesses and companies of all sizes to a smarter way of working,” Frangieh said.