Founder of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, has stressed the importance of doggedness and diligence in business development.

Ekeh said survival in Nigeria would require business leaders to adopt a composite mindset inspired by the strengths of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.

Ekeh, at a mentoring session organised recently by young business leaders in Lagos, stressed that thriving in Nigeria’s volatile business landscape requires a unique blend of resilience, tenacity and ethical conviction.

The Zinox boss, who argued that the complexities of Nigeria’s market demand a multifaceted approach, likened the ideal entrepreneur to a fusion of Tinubu’s strategic acumen and courage, Atiku’s persistence and fairness, and Obi’s humility and thriftiness.

“Nigeria’s entrepreneurial terrain is not for the faint-hearted,” Ekeh said. “It requires the combined strength of these leaders to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.”

Drawing on Tinubu’s political career, Ekeh highlighted his resilience as the only opposition governor to survive the 2003 PDP sweep under President Obasanjo.

“Tinubu’s defiance and long-term strategy are critical for entrepreneurs facing economic fluctuations, regulatory shifts, and intense competition,” he noted.

Ekeh pointed to Tinubu’s bold declaration, ‘Emi lo kan’, as an example of the courage entrepreneurs need to claim market leadership, regardless of limited resources or humble beginnings.

He also praised Atiku’s tenacity, citing his willingness to challenge political structures, including taking the Federal Government to court during his vice-presidential tenure.

“Quoting Atiku’s 2023 statement, “I am not going away… For as long as I breathe, I will continue to struggle,” Ekeh stressed that entrepreneurs must mirror this perseverance to overcome bureaucratic hurdles and systemic challenges.

“I’ve faced blackmail and persecution in my journey to build a digital Nigeria,” Ekeh shared, underscoring the need for relentless determination.

Peter Obi’s prudent management and humility were equally vital, Ekeh argued. As Anambra’s governor, Obi cut governance costs, saved reserves, and delivered results, embodying a frugality that entrepreneurs must adopt in Nigeria’s volatile economy.

“Obi teaches us the difference between thriftiness and stinginess,” Ekeh said. “His morality and credibility show that ethical practices build trust, making a company creditworthy.”

Ekeh’s success with Zinox Group, a leading tech conglomerate, reflects these traits. He emphasised that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, offers immense rewards but demands strategic thinking, calculated frugality, and unwavering belief in possibilities.

“The market does not forgive mediocrity or indecision,” he warned, saying “Entrepreneurs must be tacticians, reformers, and moral visionaries to survive and grow.”

Meanwhile, Zinox Technologies has been officially invited to represent Nigeria at VivaTech Paris 2025, one of the world’s largest technology and innovation events.

The invitation, extended in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, is seen as a strategic endorsement of Zinox’s over two decades track record of delivering digital infrastructure, innovation, and enterprise solutions across the country for government, corporates and homes including some African countries.

The four-day event, taking place from June 11–14, 2025, is a major fixture in the global tech calendar, drawing startups, corporates, investors and tech leaders from across the world. Zinox is expected to engage with international players at its assigned booth while showcasing flagship projects and solutions that reflect Nigeria’s evolving digital capacity.