Nicky Jonas Okeke, a native of Osu Local Government Area, Imo State, is the Managing Director/CEO of Foretec Investment Limited. The company, specialising in IT sales, supplies, and general contracts, is led by Okeke, who is married with two children.

What inspired you to start your business in Nigeria, and what do you think is the biggest opportunity for growth in the country?

I would say passion and doing the right, once upon in time in Abuja, store owners don’t have anything in stock, a customer will pay and wait for days or weeks to pick up their product, when I came on board, I told my team that we have to close that gap, we have to stock and allow customers come in and make their choice. I started Foretec Investment Ltd because we wanted to block that gap and do the right thing, and today, most store owners in Abuja have followed suit. The biggest opportunity for growth is to be original.

How do you navigate the challenges of doing business in Nigeria, considering the infrastructure challenges, regulatory complexity etc, how do you move around the challenges?

One major things we do and try to maintain is to do the right thing. It helps you to deal effectively with issues. We have been striving and navigating by doing what’s right and ensuring high compliance with the Government regulations and laws like paying taxes, bringing approved and standard goods and paying the right amount for the goods we bring in.

What standard and methods have you maintained to attract and retain top talents in your organization especially giving the competitive job market in Nigeria?

One of the things we have done is to stand out in trying not to copy what everyone is doing. We try not to be in competition with any other. We set the right grounds and work environment. We try to bring the right people for our customers. We try to maintain a high level of integrity where we tell you anything and implement what we tell you. We say what we mean and do what we say. I think this has made us stand out for the longest.

What other innovations are you currently exploring and implementing?

Right now and to a large extent we have been able to conquer the Abuja offline store. Our online store platforms are ongoing and we are working on it, I think we are doing pretty well on that, is one of the major innovations we are currently exploring is to have an App where you can actually go and shop from our store. These are the things we are doing to stay afloat. It’s important to know that these businesses will not end with me but grow from generation to generation.

What role do you think that the Nigerian government can play in supporting of businesses like yours and are they any specific policies and incentives you would like to see implemented?

The government would do a lot to help not just my business but every other business in Nigeria. The first thing I think we need to do is to see how they can make sure the basic infrastructures and amenities are there like electricity, water, and security. One of the major challenges we face is electricity. I also think single digit loans will help businesses strive in Nigeria. The government should find a way to curb the issue of multiple taxations. For me, I think the provision of basic able for any business even more than any bill board.

What if your advice for entrepreneurs looking to start businesses in Nigeria and what are some of the key lessons you have learned along the way?

My advice to young entrepreneur is simple; do not be in a hurry. Most times people don’t see the work you have put into a thing over the year, they just focus on the results and they want to be like you. This is 15 years for Foretech in business. One of the things that have helped us is the fact that we have been consistent. We have been doing the same thing over and over again.
As for the lessons we have learned along the way, we have learned that every customer that walks into your store is a potential buyer. There is need for you to treat them with respect, treat them right. It is because if they don’t buy today, they will buy tomorrow-

What are matrix or key performance indicators (KPI) you would use to measure the success of your company?

One of the ways is to measure how much we have sold in a full business year. There OEM (original equipment manufacturers) we buy from, they assess our sales rate, and we do quarterly meetings to know how well we have done and know how to improve on our sales. Another key thing we check is the growth of our staff. It’s important to know they are happy with the organization and to know they are advancing too as the company progresses. We also put into consideration their complaints and their inputs.
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How do you prioritise sustainability
The second important lesson is that you must try to be original and and social responsibility in your don’t try to imitate anyone. Just do business and what are the initiatives things your own way, don’t be in a forte tech has taken in that regard? hurry to make the money. Love One of the things we emphasize on it’s what you do first, money will a workable business structure. What come. means is for instance, in Foretec we have 3 arms; the cooperate business, the whole sale business and the retail business and for every of this businesses, we have capable people heading them. We also have different departments. Roles are properly allocated. So Foretec is not solely tied to just the director. It’s tied to the structure that brings synergy. They are regular meetings too. It helps us to track and resolve issues.

Looking ahead to the next 5-10 years, what are your plans for expansions for growths and there any new markets or industry you are considering?

The plan for us in the next 5 years is to expand IT. What we intend to achieve not just in Abuja but in Nigeria and across Africa is make Foretec the first name that comes to mind when it comes to computers. We are hoping in no distance time, we would have a computer superstore where you work into and get anything IT and all the brands possible.
We also intend to go into real estate. We see possi-
bilities for Foretec in that area.