How far?

No, seriously.

You know that thing you said you wanted to build? The business, the team, the big idea you have been carrying around in your head?

How far with it?

Because somewhere along the line, you probably started saying things like, “Let me circle back,” “We need to pivot,” and “There’s a market opportunity here.”

Congratulations. You have entered your CEO era. 😂

This week, we decided to have a little fun with the language founders and executives use every day. Swipe through and see how many of these sound suspiciously familiar.

But beneath the jokes, there is something worth paying attention to.

The language we use often reflects the way we approach problems, communicate with our teams, and make decisions. You do not become a better leader by using bigger words, but you do become a better leader by learning to think, communicate, and execute with intention.

And speaking of people worth learning from...

THIS WEDNESDAY, WE’RE TAKING THE CONVERSATION TO GHANA.

Our Monthly Mentor’s Visit is happening this Wednesday in Ghana, bringing members into the room with experienced business leaders for conversations that go beyond the usual motivational talk.

It is an opportunity to ask questions, hear from someone who has built at scale, and gain perspective that can influence the way you approach your own business.

That kind of access is one of the things that makes being part of the Under 40 CEOs community different. Register your interest here.

ONE MORE LESSON FROM TOKINI PETERSIDE

Our Platinum Member, Tokini Peterside, Founder of ART X Lagos and TP Collective, has spent years building in the African art and creative economy.

In How We Made It in Africa Vol. 2, she speaks candidly about the challenges of building the right team, leading with empathy, staying committed to a vision, and creating an ecosystem where African art can thrive.

One lesson stands out: a brilliant vision means very little without the right people to bring it to life.

It is a lesson every founder eventually encounters.

You can have the idea. You can have the ambition. You can even have the money. But who is helping you build it?

Read Tokini’s full story in How We Made It in Africa Vol. 2, available via the link here or at Rovingheights bookstores nationwide and Expressions Bookstore, Victoria Island.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s emerging trailblazers in business with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

For enquiries: info@under40ceos.com

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs
Connecting ambitious Africans to knowledge, people, and opportunities.

under40ceos.com

Every person you look up to started somewhere that looked nothing like where they are today.

Before Khaby Lame became the most-followed person on TikTok, he was making simple reaction videos in his bedroom after losing his job. Wizkid started singing in church at 11. Aliko Dangote started selling sweets and commodities as a teenager in Kano. Jeff Bezos started Amazon from a garage, packing books himself.

Their beginnings were ordinary. Some were uncertain. Some probably looked embarrassing in hindsight.

The difference is that they started anyway.

And that is the part we often forget when we look at successful people. We see the millions of followers, the billion-dollar businesses, the awards, the influence, and the recognition. We rarely see the years of figuring things out before any of it existed.

You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. You need to begin, keep improving, and give yourself the tools to get better.

That is exactly why the Under 40 CEOs Learning Hub exists.

THE ECONOMY IS CHANGING. YOUR SKILLS HAVE TO KEEP UP.

₦10,000 is still ₦10,000, but what it could buy ten years ago is very different from what it can buy today.

Building a business requires adapting as markets, customer expectations, costs, and competition change. While you can’t control all of this, you can continually improve how you respond.

The Learning Hub gives you access to practical courses and resources covering entrepreneurship, sales, marketing, leadership, networking, and business growth, so you can keep building your knowledge alongside your business. Check it out here.

And sometimes, the right lesson comes from the right person.

Our Monthly Mentor’s Visit is one of the ways Under 40 CEOs creates that access. After attending one of our sessions, Michael Suberu shared his experience and captured something important about being in a room where you can have direct conversations with people who have already built, failed, adapted, and grown.

That kind of access can change the questions you ask, the decisions you make, and the opportunities you recognise.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FIGURE IT ALL OUT ALONE.

You can start small. You can start before everything is perfect. You can start with the knowledge and resources available to you today, then keep building from there.

The people you admire did exactly that.

Your next step could be one lesson, one conversation, or one decision away.

Explore the Under 40 CEOs Learning Hub and access practical resources to help you build, grow, and make better business decisions.

Click the link here to get started.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s emerging trailblazers in business with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

For enquiries: info@under40ceos.com

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs

Connecting ambitious Africans to knowledge, people, and opportunities.

under40ceos.com

Happy new week to you.

You’ve probably seen the recent P-Square conversations making the rounds. Whatever your take on it, there’s a lesson in there for anyone building a business with people close to them.

Nobody starts a business expecting to end up in court. Nobody starts expecting family relationships to break down or trust to disappear. But businesses rarely fall apart overnight. They fall apart because the important conversations kept getting postponed. Ownership, responsibilities, money, decision-making, what happens if someone wants to leave, these are conversations that need to happen before you start, not after something goes wrong.

Strong partnerships aren’t built on people being family or best friends. They’re built because everyone understands the rules from day one. Business is emotional by nature, which is exactly why your systems around it shouldn’t be. The best time to protect a business is before the first disagreement, not after.

If you’re thinking about building something with family, friends, or partners, start with structure. Our Starting a Business in Africa course will help you lay that foundation properly. Click here to enrol.

Here’s why we’re excited to share this next one. Wunmi Williams, Founder and CEO of Nakenohs Boulevard and one of our Platinum Members, traced her Forbes recognition back to a single connection she made at an Under40CEOs event. One conversation, one introduction, and her trajectory shifted. That’s what happens when you’re in the right room with the right people. Stay tuned for updates on our next membership window and more stories like this one.

Enrol here to explore our Learning Hub, where you’ll find practical courses on sales, marketing, leadership, hiring, networking, and business growth.

Every entrepreneur has had a good idea at some point. What separates the ones who build something lasting is what happens after the excitement wears off. Ideas don’t sustain businesses, consistent execution does. Showing up, making better decisions, learning new skills, and doing the work even when progress feels slow, that’s what actually moves things forward.

Click here to grab your copy of How We Made It in Africa Vol 2, or find it at any Rovingheights bookstore across Nigeria, or walk into Expressions Bookstore at Trinity Towers, Chief Yesufu Abiodun Way, off Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos, open daily from 7am to 8pm.

We have great news, and yes, we’re a little too excited about it.

Learning from some of Africa’s brightest business minds just got easier. This is for the builders, the dreamers, the founders, the professionals, and anyone who never stops learning. Our ebook website is now live, with a growing collection covering entrepreneurship, business growth, sales, marketing, networking, leadership, funding, branding, storytelling, and more. Click the link here to explore the collection.

That’s everything for this week. Go build something, and build it with the right agreements in place.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s emerging trailblazers in the world of business with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

For enquiries: info@under40ceos.com

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs

under40ceos.com

Happy new month to you. New month, new targets, another shot at the thing you’ve been working toward.

Here’s something worth sitting with. A customer messages your business on WhatsApp asking if a product is available. You don’t reply immediately, maybe you’re busy, maybe you forget. By the time you get to it, that customer has already found someone else who answered in minutes. You’ll never know it happened. No complaint, no bad review, just quiet.

This is happening across businesses daily, and most owners have no idea how much they’re losing to it.

Part of the reason is that people, especially those under 35, no longer call businesses. Calling costs airtime and forces an on-the-spot decision. Messaging lets them ask, think, compare, and come back when ready. WhatsApp Business has also become more than a chat app. A product catalog, automated replies, and a record of every price you’ve quoted, for many small businesses this is already their entire storefront.

If you’re still treating WhatsApp as an afterthought, your response time is quietly shaping your reputation.

This week’s spotlight is on Gbemi Elekula, CEO of DreamHome and Founder of HUMANx. She builds beautiful, functional spaces through DreamHome, and through HUMANx, she’s found a way to tie a fashion purchase to addressing period poverty. Her work shows that beauty and impact can be the same decision.

Her full story is in How We Made It in Africa Vol 2.

Get your copy in three ways:

1. Order online via the link here.

2. Visit any Rovingheights bookstore across Nigeria.

3. Walk into Expressions Bookstore at Trinity Towers, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos. Open every day from 7am to 8pm.

We have great news, and yes, we’re a little too excited about it.

Learning from some of Africa’s brightest business minds just got easier. This is for the builders, the dreamers, the founders, the professionals, and anyone who never stops learning.

Our ebook website is now live. You’ll find a growing collection covering entrepreneurship, business growth, sales, marketing, networking, leadership, funding, branding, storytelling, and more.

Your next business lesson could be one click away. Click the link here to explore the collection.

And one more thing before you go.

If you saw anything floating around about a “deleted post,” we’ll come clean. Nothing was actually deleted. We just needed you to pause for a second, and clearly it worked.

What this is really about is How We Made It in Africa Vol 2, stories of African entrepreneurs who built something worth talking about, told in their own words. It’s the kind of book you don’t put down easily.

Get your copy in three ways:

1. Order online via the link here.

2. Visit any Rovingheights bookstore across Nigeria.

3. Walk into Expressions Bookstore at Trinity Towers, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos. Open every day from 7am to 8pm.

Between Gbemi’s story, that WhatsApp message still sitting unanswered, and a growing library of ebooks waiting for you, there’s plenty to act on this week.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s emerging trailblazers in the world of business with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

For enquiries: info@under40ceos.com

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs

under40ceos.com

Happy new week to you.

This week’s spotlight is on Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho, CEO of Futuresoft and one of the stories featured in How We Made It in Africa Vol 2. Before she was leading one of Nigeria’s most respected digital consultancies, she was just a teenager who got curious about technology and taught herself to code at 16. That curiosity followed her through a Computer Science and Bioinformatics degree in Germany, and when she came back to Nigeria, she noticed something most people overlooked. Too many businesses had no websites, no professional email addresses, barely any digital presence at all.

She didn’t just see a problem. She saw an opening. That observation eventually became Futuresoft, a company that started out doing web development and hosting and grew into a full digital transformation consultancy helping businesses show up properly online.

These days, her work stretches beyond just running Futuresoft. She’s deep into mentorship, ecosystem building, and helping young people find their footing in tech.

Her story is proof that the businesses worth building usually come from solving a problem you actually noticed. Read her full journey in How We Made It in Africa Vol 2.

Get your copy in three ways:

1. Order online via the link here.

2. Visit any Rovingheights bookstore across Nigeria.

3. Walk into Expressions Bookstore at Trinity Towers, Chief Yesufu Abiodun Way, off Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos. Open every day from 7am to 8pm.

Throwback to something worth revisiting.

Back at our 2020 Forum, Vusi Thembekwayo said something that’s stayed with us ever since. Leadership has shifted. It’s no longer about who can be the loudest or the most aggressive in the room. It’s about who can actually lead when everything feels stacked against them. That shift from aggression to empathy isn’t just a nice idea, it’s what separates leaders who last from leaders who burn out their teams.

Stay connected with us on social media and turn on notifications so you catch what we’re planning next.

One more thing from Siyanda Dlamini.

Founder and CEO of Regency Apartment Hotel and one of our Platinum Members, Siyanda made a point that every young entrepreneur needs tattooed somewhere they’ll see it daily. Integrity isn’t just a value you put on a slide. It’s a business strategy. How consistently you show up, how well you deliver on what you promised, how seriously you treat every commitment, that’s what turns one contract into ten.

Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel. Search @under40ceos or click the link here.

And for anyone thinking about their brand.

Amb. (Dr) Charles O’Tudor, brand strategist, author, and Founder of ADSTRAT Brand Management Consultants, put together a short overview of our Brand Management course.

It walks through brand strategy, positioning, identity development, and market analysis, basically everything you need to stop guessing and start building a brand people actually remember.

Click here to register for the full course.

Somewhere between coding at 16 and keeping a promise on a contract, there’s a thread running through everyone we talked about this week. None of them were waiting for permission. They just started with what they had and kept showing up.

Whatever you’ve been putting off, consider this your nudge.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s emerging trailblazers in the world of business with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

For enquiries: info@under40ceos.com

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs

under40ceos.com

It’s a new week.

However last week went, whether you hit your targets or fell short, whether you closed the deal or you’re still chasing it, today is a fresh start. A clean page. Another opportunity to build the business, the career, and the life you’re working toward.

Greatness isn’t a single moment. It’s built in weeks like this one. In the decisions you make today. The calls you follow through on. The discipline you show when no one’s watching.

You don’t need everything figured out to move forward. You need to keep showing up. Keep pushing past the obstacles. Keep believing that the work you’re putting in now is building something bigger than you can see right now.

So this week, push a little harder. Show up a little stronger. Stay consistent even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s how greatness gets built, one week at a time.

Throwback: Mid-Year Business Turnaround Workshop

Speaking of pushing forward, here’s a look back at our Mid-Year Business Turnaround Workshop, held on July 18, 2025, in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The workshop brought together business owners, executives, and entrepreneurs for a day of practical conversations focused on navigating challenges, improving performance, and positioning businesses for stronger results in the second half of the year.

Participants engaged with practical ideas and strategic perspectives designed to strengthen decision-making, improve performance, and support business growth.

At Under40CEOs, we remain committed to creating opportunities for learning, connection, and growth through experiences that bring ambitious professionals and business leaders together.

Here’s to a powerful week ahead.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s emerging trailblazers in the world of business. with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

For affiliate partner programme:

https://under40ceos.firstpromoter.com

For enquiries: info@under40ceos.com

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs

Our membership doors have just closed, but that doesn’t mean you’re locked out of everything Under40CEOs has to offer. While membership applications are now closed, Under 40 CEOs remains a place where founders, business leaders, executives, and professionals across Africa continue to learn, connect, and grow throughout the year.

As a non-member, you can still:

• Confirm and attend our events at a set fee

• Purchase select resources from our Learning Hub

• Stay connected through our newsletters and community updates

• Join future membership openings when enrollment reopens

Some experiences are reserved exclusively for members, while others remain open to everyone through individual registration.

While membership comes with exclusive access, deeper community engagement, and member-only pricing, we don’t want you to miss out entirely.

In other words, missing this year’s membership does not mean missing the opportunity to learn from some of Africa’s most accomplished business leaders.

This week, we are sharing another inspiring story from How We Made It in Africa Vol 2 and a practical framework that every founder should run before committing time and money to a new business idea.

HOW WE MADE IT IN AFRICA

Every successful career begins with a decision to take your ambition seriously.

For Siyanda Dlamini, that decision came while he was still in school. What started as an interest in hospitality eventually became the foundation for building one of South Africa’s recognised hospitality brands. His journey is a reminder that remarkable businesses rarely begin with perfect circumstances. They begin when someone commits to developing their craft, learning consistently, and refusing to settle for average.

His full story is featured in How We Made It in Africa. Click here to order your copy.

LEARNING RESOURCE OF THE WEEK

Before you build anything, ask one important question:

Is there really a market for it?

Many founders spend months developing products before discovering that demand was never strong enough to support the business.

Our Starting a Business in Africa course walks you through practical market research, customer validation, feasibility analysis, and the frameworks needed to build with confidence instead of guesswork.

Click here to enrol.

UNTIL NEXT TIME

Although membership has closed, the opportunity to keep learning has not.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s emerging trailblazers in the world of business. with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

Final call for 2026 membership: https://under40ceos.com/join

For partner programme:

https://under40ceos.firstpromoter.com

For enquiries: info@under40ceos.com

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs.

The 2026 Membership enrollment ends today, not tomorrow or next week. This is the last chance to join the community until 2027. After midnight, the door closes.

Many of our members who join always say the same thing: they wish they had joined earlier. They moved because they saw the value and didn’t wait for perfect timing. They didn’t hesitate. They didn’t sleep on the decision. They acted when the opportunity was in front of them.

That opportunity is in front of you right now. But it closes at the end of today. Join now!

THIS IS WHAT YOU’RE STEPPING INTO.

You’re entering a space filled with founders building, executives scaling impactful companies, and investors actively seeking the right opportunities and people to support. You’re joining conversations where people discuss their genuine challenges and share what truly works, not just what looks good on LinkedIn.

You’re entering an environment where one conversation can alter your path, one introduction can open doors you couldn’t access alone, and learning from those who’ve already built what you’re aiming for can save you years of mistakes. You’re becoming part of a community that doesn’t just talk about growth; it creates the conditions for it. But you can only step into this if you take action today. After today, you’ll be back outside, waiting for next year. Join now!

THE TEAM IS READY. YOUR COMMUNITY IS READY. ARE YOU?

The moment you join, your access is immediate. You log in and everything is there: the courses, the community forums, the event calendar, the resources designed to accelerate your business. Our team responds to questions. Issues get handled. Support exists and it actually works because we built this community for people who are serious about growth.

If you join today, you access everything today, and you start building with the community today. This is your final day to make that decision.

THE DOOR CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT.

Read this again. Read it again. After tonight, membership enrollment is closed until 2027. Everyone who hesitates right now will be waiting an entire year before they get another chance.

Don’t be the person who looks back in 2027 and wishes they’d moved today.

The community is here. The people are here. The opportunities are here. The only thing that’s about to disappear is the chance to join this year.

Click here to secure your spot. This is your last chance today.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s next generation of business leaders with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

For immediate support: info@under40ceos.com
Join before midnight: https://under40ceos.com/join

For partner programme:

https://under40ceos.firstpromoter.com

For enquiries: info@under40ceos.com

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs

Before membership closes, let’s clear up one misconception. Many people assume that once they are over 40, Under 40 CEOs is no longer for them.

That is not true.

Under 40 CEOs was never created as an age club. It was built as a community for founders, business owners, executives, professionals, and investors who are committed to growth.

What brings our members together is not age, it is ambition.

It is the desire to build stronger businesses, make better decisions, access meaningful opportunities, and surround themselves with people who challenge them to think bigger.

That is why our community includes entrepreneurs launching new ventures, executives leading established organisations, founders scaling across markets, and professionals preparing for their next level of leadership.

Membership gives you access to a network of business leaders across Africa, practical learning resources, Fireside Chats, workshops, Pitch Nights, mentorship opportunities, strategic partnerships, and conversations that can change the trajectory of your business and career.

The truth is that growth seldom occurs alone. The businesses that grow faster are often linked to better information, stronger relationships, and the right opportunities.

Those rooms exist inside this community.

Membership closes soon.

If you have been postponing your decision because you thought Under 40 CEOs was not for you, consider this your reminder.

If you are building, leading, investing, growing, or preparing for your next level, then there is a place for you here.

The opportunity is still open from now till 30th June.

Join the Under 40 CEOs Membership before it closes.

Your moment to move is now. Do it today. June 30th is closer than you think.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s next generation of business leaders with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

Final call for 2026 membership: https://under40ceos.com/join

For partner programme:

https://under40ceos.firstpromoter.com

For enquiries: info@under40ceos.com

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs.

Membership closes June 30th. After that, the next enrollment window doesn’t open until 2027.

Eight days is all you have to decide whether you’re joining the community that’s changing how founders and executives build, or whether you’re waiting another year.

Peter’s revenue has tripled since joining. Eze survived a crisis that would have shut down his business because of the systems he learned within the community. Modupe permitted herself to pivot from law to building one of Lagos’ most respected culinary brands. These are stories of our members.

They all moved fast. They all say they wish they’d moved faster. This is your sign to join now!

MODUPE EMMANUEL: FROM LAW TO SALT LAGOS

Sometimes people sense that their path might not be the one they’re meant to be on. They feel the pull towards something different, something that calls to them more deeply. Often, what holds them back isn’t clarity; it’s the fear of stepping away from what’s familiar and comfortable.

Modupe Emmanuel chose differently. She left a legal career, enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and built Salt Lagos from the ground up. Now her work is recognised across the continent as one of the most respected culinary brands in Lagos.

Her decision required courage. It meant pursuing something that fulfilled her rather than something that looked good on the outside.

Her full story, along with the journeys of other African entrepreneurs who made bold decisions and built remarkable things, is in How We Made It in Africa Vol 2.

Get your copy via this link or at any Rovingheights bookstore across Nigeria.

ONE OUTCOME CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING

What would one investor connection be worth to your business? One partnership? One improved sales system?

One conversation at a Pitch Night could unlock funding. One course from the Learning Hub applied correctly could transform your numbers. One relationship built through the network could lead to collaborations that wouldn’t happen otherwise.

Now think about the cost of membership. If a single outcome shifts your revenue, your positioning, or your growth trajectory, the math becomes obvious.

The real question isn’t whether membership is worth it. It’s whether you’re ready to position yourself for that one outcome that changes everything.

Click here now. Don’t wait another minute.

WHAT WOULD YOU ASK A TOP FOUNDER IF YOU HAD DIRECT ACCESS EVERY WEEK?

Most entrepreneurs are trying to solve everything alone, but growth gets faster when you can learn directly from people who’ve already built what you’re trying to build. Sometimes one conversation saves you years of mistakes.

The Under 40 CEOs membership gives you exactly that. Access to founders, investors, operators, and business leaders through events, conversations, resources, and a community designed for people serious about scaling.

The right room changes how you think about business entirely. This is what we’re offering until June 30th.

Join now. This is your last window to enter until 2027. Don’t let eight days slip by.

WHAT’S NEXT? ACT BEFORE THE WINDOW CLOSES.

This is not something to read, think about, and come back to later. Later doesn’t exist in this situation. You have eight days.

Eight days to decide if you’re stepping into a community that’s changing how businesses are built on this continent, or if you’re waiting another year.

Peter didn’t hesitate. Eze stopped talking himself out of it. Modupe permitted herself to pivot. They all moved because they knew waiting was costly.

Your moment to move is now. Do it today. June 30th is closer than you think.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s next generation of business leaders with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

Final call for 2026 membership: https://under40ceos.com/join

For partner programme:

https://under40ceos.firstpromoter.com

For enquiries: info@under40ceos.com

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs

Today, we are doing something unusual.

Our Monthly Mentors Visit is typically reserved for members of the Under 40 CEOs community. However, we have decided to open a limited number of seats to non-members for this month’s session.

On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, participants will have the opportunity to learn directly from Dr. Opeyemi Agbato, Executive Director of Funtuna Ventures Nigeria Ltd.

With extensive experience across family business leadership, manufacturing, healthcare, operations, and organisational growth, Dr. Agbato brings decades of practical business knowledge and leadership experience to the conversation.

What makes our Monthly Mentors Visits different is the format.

These are not conference speeches or large public events. They are intimate sessions designed to give participants direct access to accomplished business leaders, creating room for honest conversations, practical lessons, meaningful questions, and valuable connections.

For non-members, participation is available at a fee of ₦20,000. Attendance is limited to preserve the quality of the experience, and registration closes at 5:00 PM today. What are you waiting for? Register now!

If you have been curious about what happens inside the Under 40 CEOs community, this is an opportunity to experience one of our most valuable programmes firsthand.

As a member of Under 40 CEOs, events like this are included as part of your membership experience. Members enjoy access to Monthly Mentors Visits, workshops, networking events, business resources, leadership development opportunities, and a community of ambitious professionals, founders, and executives across Africa.

Rather than paying separately for individual events, members gain ongoing access to a growing ecosystem designed to support their personal and professional growth. Become a member now. It closes on June 30th.

Seats are limited and registration closes today at 5:00 PM. Don’t miss out!

After payment, for easy reach out to the team with your receipt here.

We look forward to welcoming you.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs connects Africa’s next generation of founders, executives, and business leaders with the insights, relationships, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

Membership: https://under40ceos.com/join

Partner Programme:

https://under40ceos.firstpromoter.com

Email: info@under40ceos.com

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs

Something strange happened after my last email.

People replied.

Not one or two replies.

Plenty of replies.

Some thoughtful, some encouraging, some raised important questions, and some made me stare at my screen for a few seconds before deciding I needed coffee.

But I won’t lie, it was nice because for a while, I had been sending emails into what felt like a very quiet corner of the internet.

No replies.

No comments.

Nothing.

At some point, you start wondering whether people are reading the emails or whether the emails have quietly formed their own support group somewhere in cyberspace.

So seeing responses made me happy.

Then I read some of them and remembered that happiness can be deceptive.

Because some of you had questions.

One person asked:

“What exactly do I get from Under 40 CEOs Membership?“

I had to pause.

Not because it’s a bad question.

It’s actually a very good question.

But it reminded me that many people are still standing outside the room trying to figure out what is happening inside.

So let’s clear that up.

Under 40 CEOs Membership is not a WhatsApp group.

It is not a badge for your LinkedIn profile. And it is definitely not one of those communities where everyone joins, says hello, and disappears forever.

It is a network of founders, executives, investors, operators, and professionals across Africa who are serious about growth.

The kind of people who understand that one conversation can change a business.

One introduction can create a partnership.

One insight can save you months of expensive mistakes.

Members get access to learning resources, business courses, webinars, networking opportunities, founder conversations, mentorship sessions, workshops, and a community that challenges them to think bigger.

That’s the point.

Not just information, Access!

Another reply that caught my attention was:

“I’ve been thinking about joining. I’m just waiting for the right time.”

Ah.

The famous “right time.”

A close relative of “next month.”

And a distant cousin of “let me think about it.”

Let’s be honest.

Many opportunities look expensive until you calculate the cost of waiting.

The right introduction, delayed for a year.

The lesson you learn after making the mistake instead of before.

The opportunity you hear about after the room has already moved on.

Those costs rarely appear on an invoice, but they are real.

Every year, we see people join Under 40 CEOs and immediately wish they had done it earlier.

Not because something magical happened overnight.

But because they realised how much faster progress becomes when you’re connected to the right people and the right conversations.

Which brings me to the reason for this email.

Membership closes this month - June 30.

After that, applications close for the year.

So if you’ve been watching from a distance, gathering information, opening emails, closing emails, reopening emails, forwarding emails to yourself, and conducting a full investigative documentary on whether membership is worth it...

This is your sign. Join us.

Because the people already inside the room aren’t waiting for the perfect moment. They’re already building.

See you inside.

FINAL THOUGHT

Each year, new members join the community, spending the next year forming relationships, learning from seasoned operators, and discovering opportunities they couldn’t find alone. Meanwhile, some delay their decision, promising to join later. By the time they choose to act, the membership doors have already shut. Membership closes on June 30. Don’t spend another year wishing you’d acted sooner. Become a member today!

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs connects Africa’s next generation of founders, executives, and business leaders with the insights, relationships, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

Membership: under40ceos.com/membership

Partner Programme:

https://under40ceos.firstpromoter.com

Email: info@under40ceos.com

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs

Each year, some people watch from the sidelines, telling themselves they’ll join later when business is less busy, when the timing feels right, or when they have more information. The problem is, opportunities seldom wait for perfect timing. Applications for the 2026 Under 40 CEOs Membership cohort close on June 30. Until then, members can access business education, executive discussions, strategic relationships, and opportunities to grow faster and improve decision-making. This week provides a preview of what that entails.

CALL FOR AFFILIATES AND PARTNERS

You already recommend platforms and communities to people in your network, so why not earn from it? The Under 40 CEOs Partner Programme gives you 10% commission per confirmed membership, with monthly payouts directly to your local bank account.

This approach works when engaging founders, business owners, or ambitious professionals who are building businesses and seeking funding, partnerships, and growth opportunities. It’s not about having a large following; it’s about establishing credibility with the right audience.

You get messaging templates, content frameworks, visual assets, and positioning guidelines to make introductions easier, plus direct support from the team when you need it. The partners earning the most aren’t posting constantly; they’re having intentional conversations with people who genuinely need what the membership provides.

The terms are simple: 10% commission per confirmed membership, monthly payouts, direct bank transfers, and transparent tracking.

Start Earning From Referrals

FINAL THOUGHT

Each year, new members join the community, spending the next year forming relationships, learning from seasoned operators, and discovering opportunities they couldn’t find alone. Meanwhile, some delay their decision, promising to join later. By the time they choose to act, the membership doors have already shut. Membership closes on June 30. Don’t spend another year wishing you’d acted sooner. Become a member today!

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs connects Africa’s next generation of founders, executives, and business leaders with the insights, relationships, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

Membership: under40ceos.com/membership

Partner Programme:

https://under40ceos.firstpromoter.com

Email: info@under40ceos.com

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs

Every month, conversations happen inside Under 40 CEOs that sharpen decisions, unlock partnerships, improve execution, and expose founders to people who can genuinely shift the direction of a business. The people already inside are learning, connecting, and moving whilst others remain undecided.

Membership for this year has been open since April and closes this month.

Every week you wait is a missed conversation, missed access, missed opportunities, and missed proximity to people solving problems you may still be struggling through alone.

The question is simple: will you be inside the room this month, or hearing about what happened after it closes?

UNDER 40 CEO JUNIOR CLUB: ENTREPRENEURS ARE STARTING EARLIER

On Wednesday, 15th April 2026, the Under 40 CEO Junior Club participated in Greensprings School Business Day themed “Unlocking Entrepreneurial Potentials: Forward Thinking”, with a focus on “Think It, Do It.”

Students enrolled in the Under 40 CEO Junior Club elective stood out, securing 1st and 2nd place across the school, winning ₦600,000 and ₦200,000 respectively. We could not be prouder of these young minds.

Also present as a judge was our Platinum Member, Olaotan Towry-Coker, Founder of Projectmaven, bringing over two decades of experience building and scaling ventures across technology and business operations.

The Junior Club introduces students to entrepreneurship, leadership, and practical thinking early enough to shape how they solve problems and lead.

Interested in bringing the Junior Club to your school? Send us an email at info@under40ceos.com.

MOVING PAST SELF DOUBT

At IWD HerStage 2026 in Lagos, our Platinum Member Ochanya Dan Ugo, Founder of Abdullahi Foundation and Board Member at Hope Payment Service Bank, addressed a challenge many capable professionals quietly struggle with: impostor syndrome.

Doubt does not determine capability. Too many people delay opportunities because they believe they are not ready enough, experienced enough, or qualified enough. Meanwhile, others with less skill but more confidence move first.

In Under 40 CEOs community, these are the kinds of conversations members gain access to, practical, honest conversations that challenge limiting thinking and strengthen leadership.

Membership closes this month. If you have been waiting for a sign to stop observing from the sidelines, this is it.

YOU ARE ALREADY MAKING INTRODUCTIONS. WHY NOT EARN FROM THEM?

You already know the founders. You already recommend opportunities. You already connect people to useful rooms.

The Under 40 CEOs Partner Programme simply rewards what you are already doing.

Refer founders to Under 40 CEOs membership and earn 10% commission on every confirmed sign-up, paid monthly to your bank account. You get a personal partner link, real-time tracking, and ready-to-use resources to help you share with confidence.

Join the Partner Programme today.

5 BUSINESS LESSONS FROM CHUKWUKA MONYE

When Chukwuka Monye launched CIUCI, growth was never accidental. It came from learning when to evolve, building systems strong enough to survive difficult seasons, and understanding that Africa is not one market.

One lesson stands out: businesses scale when leaders stop treating growth casually.

His story in How We Made It in Africa Vol. 2 offers practical lessons on resilience, structure, expansion, and leadership for founders serious about long-term growth.

Get your copy here or visit any Rovingheights bookstore across Nigeria

WHAT’S NEXT?

Membership has been open since April and closes this month.

Join Under 40 CEOs membership before this cohort closes.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s next generation of business leaders with the insights, relationships, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

For partnerships or enquiries, email info@under40ceos.com
Join us at https://under40ceos.com/membership/

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs

www.under40ceos.com

You have probably opened emails like this before and thought, “I’ll come back to it later.”

Fair enough. Everyone is busy.

But before you move on, consider this for a second:

What if this is the one conversation could help you avoid a costly business mistake? What if one room could introduce you to the person who changes how you think, hire, raise capital, or grow?

That is what this week is about.

A founder whose revenue tripled after joining our community. A business owner who almost walked away because of the membership fee, only to face a major business disruption shortly after, and realise the lessons he learned had quietly prepared him for it. A reminder that mindset often shapes outcomes long before strategy does, and an opportunity to earn recurring income simply by introducing serious founders to the right ecosystem.

Before you skip this email, read this.

THEY ALMOST DIDN’T JOIN

Peter Ogundele and Eze Henry had something in common before joining Under 40 CEOs: hesitation.

Peter Ogundele, Founder of EOTWILLIAM Group of Companies, joined at a point when growth felt difficult to sustain. Like many entrepreneurs, he had ambition, experience, and vision, but scaling required sharper thinking, stronger networks, and practical exposure.

Since joining, his business revenue has tripled. He has expanded across multiple sectors and launched an entirely new training hub.

In his words:

“In over two decades of my professional journey, nothing compares to the depth of access and value I have gained from Under 40 CEOs.”

Eze Henry almost did not join at all.

The membership fee made him pause. He spent weeks convincing himself to delay the decision. Eventually, he joined anyway.

Months later, a keyman crisis hit his business. Someone critical to operations exited unexpectedly. The kind of disruption that could destabilise momentum overnight.

But this time, operations continued. Why?

Because of a system he had implemented after learning from a fireside session within the community.

His words say it best:

“I am happy I did not listen to the people who said I should not waste my money.”

The lesson here is simple: sometimes the value of the right room only becomes obvious after you enter it.

Membership for the year is currently open, but not indefinitely. The founders inside are already learning, connecting, and positioning themselves for what comes next.

If you have been thinking about joining, stop postponing the decision. Join our membership today.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU STOP FOLLOWING THE EXPECTED PATH?

Our Platinum Member, Ighiwiyisi Jacobs, studied Law at the University of Lagos. It was structured, respected, and stable. Yet something about it never fully aligned with her interests.

Then came an unexpected moment: designing a Lion King-themed set for her sister’s wedding.

What seemed small became a turning point.

That experience eventually led her into design, aesthetics, and creative business, proving that career growth is not always linear and sometimes the opportunities that change your life arrive disguised as experiments.

Her full journey is featured in How We Made It in Africa Vol. 2, alongside stories from business leaders building across Africa.

Get your copy here or at Rovingheights bookstores nationwide.

YOU ARE ALREADY MAKING INTRODUCTIONS. WHY NOT GET PAID FOR THEM?

You already recommend useful opportunities to people in your network.

The Under 40 CEOs Partner Programme allows you to earn from those referrals.

When someone joins membership through your unique link, you receive 10% commission, paid monthly to your local bank account. Everything is tracked automatically, from clicks to sign-ups and earnings.

No large audience required or complicated process. Just intentional referrals to people who genuinely need access to growth opportunities.

Join the Affiliate/Partner Programme today.

WHAT’S NEXT?

If you read it to this point, Growth often looks ordinary at first. A room. A conversation. A lesson. A mentor. A relationship. A better decision.

Then months later, you realise everything changed because you stopped hesitating.

Membership is open.

The question is simple:

Will you keep building alone, or place yourself in a room designed to help you grow faster, think better, and lead stronger?

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s next generation of business leaders with the insights, relationships, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

For partnerships or enquiries, email info@under40ceos.com
Join us at https://under40ceos.com/membership/

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,

Under 40 CEOs

www.under40ceos.com

Dear Under 40 CEO,

You already recommend platforms and communities to people in your network. You make introductions, connect people to opportunities, and most of the time, those recommendations generate nothing for you beyond goodwill.

The Under 40 CEOs Partner Programme changes that. You get a unique link that tracks every founder who joins membership through your introduction; each confirmed membership generates 10% commission, paid monthly to your local bank account. Your dashboard shows clicks, sign-ups, conversions, and earnings in real time, with everything tracked automatically.

This week’s issue is about leverage: turning your network into recurring income, operating beyond one-dimensional ambition with Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, and positioning yourself in rooms that accelerate growth.

JOIN THE PARTNER PROGRAMME AND EARN MONTHLY

You already recommend platforms and communities to people in your network, so why not earn from it? The Under 40 CEOs Partner Programme gives you 10% commission per confirmed membership, with monthly payouts directly to your local bank account.

This approach works when engaging founders, business owners, or ambitious professionals who are building businesses and seeking funding, partnerships, and growth opportunities. It’s not about having a large following; it’s about establishing credibility with the right audience.

You get messaging templates, content frameworks, visual assets, and positioning guidelines to make introductions easier, plus direct support from the team when you need it. The partners earning the most aren’t posting constantly; they’re having intentional conversations with people who genuinely need what the membership provides.

The terms are simple: 10% commission per confirmed membership, monthly payouts, direct bank transfers, and transparent tracking.

Start Earning From Referrals

WHAT OMOTOLA JALADE EKEINDE BUILT WHILST EVERYONE SAID “PICK ONE”

The world kept asking Omotola Jalade Ekeinde to “pick one.” Actress. Musician. Entrepreneur. Mother. Global personality.

She ignored the pressure to shrink herself. Over 300 Nollywood films made her a household name in Africa. Her music career was signed to Universal Music, despite critics saying she should stay in her lane. Her US TV debut on VH1’s “Hit the Floor” opened international markets.

She founded Red Hot Concepts. She owns a real estate portfolio worldwide. Married to Captain Matthew Ekeinde, with four children pursuing diverse passions.

Recognized in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People (2013) and awarded Nigeria’s Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for cinema contributions. She has millions of followers advocating for meaningful causes. She proved women can do it all. Read her full story in ‘How We Made It in Africa Volume 2,’ available via this link or Rovingheights bookstores.

WHAT WOULD YOUR BUSINESS LOOK LIKE 12 MONTHS FROM NOW?

What would your business look like 12 months from now if you had the right mentors, network, and funding access in your corner? Pause and think about it.

Some businesses grow faster than others, not just due to effort but because of exposure to quality conversations, valuable contacts, and quick access to knowledge. Under 40 CEOs membership provides practical insights in sales, marketing, hiring, leadership, and operations, connecting you with founders, investors, and operators building and scaling.

Becoming a member enhances your thinking, decision-making, and execution. Membership has been open since April, and early action has already been taken by those valuing timing. The question now is simple: will you keep approaching growth the same way, or will you step into an environment that challenges you to operate at a higher level?

The window for 2026 is halfway closed, this might be your only chance to change the trajectory of your business for the next 12 months.

Join Under 40 CEOs today.

THROWBACK: IWD HERSTAGE 2026

Throwback to IWD HerStage 2026, hosted by Under 40 CEOs on March 6, 2026, in Lagos, in partnership with Morning Fresh and supported by Herconomy, Gbemisoke Shoes, BellaNaija, and Salt Lagos.

At the centre of the day was our keynote speaker, Dr Mosun Belo Olusoga, whose address anchored the theme Give to Gain: Redesigning Power for Shared Prosperity. During her keynote, she shared a perspective that carried through the conversations that followed: “I tell people women are not saying they deserve something because they’re women. It is because they are worth it. I encourage women to demand what is due to them.”

Across the room, women business executives, founders, and professionals engaged with this idea, examining what it means to lead with value, confidence, and intention.

LEARNING RESOURCE FOR THE WEEK: ART OF NETWORKING

If you keep saying “I don’t even know people,” that is exactly why you need networking skills.

Many entrepreneurs limit their growth simply because they believe they “don’t know anyone.” The truth is: relationships are built, not inherited. When you understand how to approach people, create value, and stay memorable, opportunities become easier to access.

Our course, Art of Networking, teaches you the practical systems, strategies, and tools to build connections that move your business forward. Access starts with connection, and connection starts with learning how to build it intentionally.

Opportunities flow through relationships. Learn how to build the right ones. Click here to enrol today.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s next generation of business leaders with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

For partnerships or enquiries, email info@under40ceos.com
Join us at https://under40ceos.com/membership/

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,
Under 40 CEOs
www.under40ceos.com

We’ve talked a lot about who Under 40 CEOs membership is for, so today we’re having an honest conversation about who it’s not for.

This community was built for people who are hungry, willing to be uncomfortable, understand that learning never stops, and are ready to back themselves before they ask anyone else to. If that’s you, the door is open.

This week, we’re talking about monetising your skills online, managing time like the asset it is, and why sales keep every business alive.

WHO THIS MEMBERSHIP IS NOT FOR

This is not for those who are comfortable with average. If where you are right now is enough, this community will feel unnecessary.

This is not for those who avoid the discomfort of growth. Every meaningful thing you want for your business sits just outside your comfort zone.

This is not for those who are resistant to learning or who fear being seen. Visibility is how opportunities find you.

This is not for those unwilling to invest in themselves. The most expensive thing a young entrepreneur can do is nothing.

If you read all of this and knew it wasn’t describing you, then you already know where you belong. Click here to become a member today.

MONETISE YOUR SKILLS, NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE

“Whatever service you provide, whatever skill sets you have, whatever your passion is, you should be able to monetise it online.” — Fade Ogunro, Founder & CEO, Bookings Africa

Fade Ogunro built Bookings Africa on the belief that geography, gender, and informal employment status should never be a barrier to earning. With over 100,000 downloads and a user base that is 65% women, the platform is proving that belief right every single day.

Read Fade’s full story in How We Made It in Africa Vol 2. Get your copy via this link or at any Rovingheights bookstore.

TIME IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET

You can raise more capital, hire more people, or pivot your strategy, but you can’t get time back once it’s gone.

Our Platinum member Patrick Nsenga Buchana, Founder of Loop Capital Limited, breaks down what it takes to manage time well when you’re building something big. It starts with planning; everything else aligns when you have a clear plan guiding how you spend your hours, days, and weeks.

Watch the full conversation on Under 40 CEOs TV on YouTube.

LEARNING RESOURCE FOR THE WEEK: ART OF NETWORKING

The rules of first impressions have changed, but the goal has not. Whether you’re closing a deal in a boardroom or leading a virtual pitch, what you communicate in the first few moments determines whether people lean in or tune out.

Our Art of Networking course teaches you how to show up with the kind of presence that opens doors and builds lasting business relationships. You’ll learn the difference between in-person and virtual first impressions, from eye contact and posture to tone of voice and follow-up strategies.

Whether it’s holding eye contact in a negotiation, looking directly into the camera on video calls, or sending a personalised follow-up within 24 hours, these details matter. For executives, appearance and communication are part of the brand you walk in with.

Ready to master the art of networking? Enrol in Art of Networking or join membership for access to everything.

WHAT’S NEXT?

If you’re done with average, done with playing small, and ready to back yourself, this is where you belong.

Stop waiting for someone else to bet on you. Join the community that was built for hungry entrepreneurs who are ready to grow.

Click here to join now.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s next generation of business leaders with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

For partnerships or enquiries, email info@under40ceos.com
Join us at https://under40ceos.com/membership/

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,
Under 40 CEOs
www.under40ceos.com

Many businesses grow, but only a few are designed to last long-term. The key difference lies in having systems that operate independently of the founder’s constant involvement in decisions, sales, and customer interactions. This week, we focus on creating businesses that continue to run beyond your direct oversight, increasing customer transactions, and understanding why membership models help you connect with people who have already mastered this approach.

JOIN MEMBERSHIP TO BUILD WITH PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND

When you’re part of Under 40 CEOs membership, you’re surrounded by founders who’ve built systems that work. You get access to the Learning Hub with courses on marketing, sales, leadership, and hiring. You attend Pitch Nights, Fireside Chats with VCs, and monthly mentor visits with executives who’ve scaled businesses successfully.

More importantly, you’re part of a community that celebrates your progress and helps you reach the next milestone faster.

Membership is open. Click the link in bio to join now.

BUILD A BUSINESS THAT RUNS WITHOUT YOU

Our Platinum member, Toyin Lawani, CEO of Tiannah’s Place Empire, highlights that sustainability comes from structure. Knowing your customers, maintaining strong records, and creating reasons for them to return are how businesses stay relevant.

A business that relies entirely on the founder creates risk; growth becomes limited and continuity becomes uncertain. Strong businesses are designed to function beyond one person.

Watch the full conversation on Under 40 CEOs YouTube channel and make sure to subscribe.

EVERY CUSTOMER CAN BUY MORE

Most businesses close too early and leave value behind. Every customer interaction carries more potential than the initial request, yet many founders end the conversation too quickly.

Upselling is about guidance, helping customers see better options they may not have considered. When you extend the conversation with intention, you create more value while increasing transaction size.

Subscribe to our learning hub newsletter for more insights.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The key is not to focus on the challenges but to understand that every person has their own challenges, and the dignity is in how you bear yours.” - Oyinkan Alakija, Founder and CEO, Gresyndale

Oyinkan Alakija’s journey from London to Ibadan, and from law graduate to founder of Gresyndale, shows how courage and perseverance overcome barriers. Through Gresyndale, she has created innovative legal solutions for modern businesses expanding across Africa.

Discover the full story in How We Made It In Africa, Vol 2, or get a copy at Rovingheights bookstores across Nigeria.

LEARNING RESOURCE FOR THE WEEK: STARTING A BUSINESS IN AFRICA

Starting a business in Africa comes with unique challenges and opportunities. Our course, Starting a Business in Africa, covers practical approaches, from navigating regulations and understanding market dynamics to accessing funding and developing sustainable business models. You will learn how to validate your idea, register correctly, create financial projections, and avoid typical errors.

Enrol in Starting a Business in Africa course or join membership for access to everything.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s next generation of business leaders with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

For partnerships or enquiries, email info@under40ceos.com
Join us at https://under40ceos.com/membership/

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,
Under 40 CEOs
www.under40ceos.com

A lot of early-stage entrepreneurs hold back because they feel they need to get everything in place first but progress often improves when you’re surrounded by better conversations, stronger guidance, and people who have already gone ahead of you.

Under 40 CEOs membership gives you that exposure through learning, mentorship, investor-facing opportunities, and key business events throughout the year. And right now, early bird pricing closes on 30th April.

If this has been on your mind, now is the time to act.

“I’M TOO EARLY-STAGE TO JOIN.” LET’S TALK ABOUT THAT.

“I will join when I have things figured out.” It sounds like a smart plan, but most people don’t figure things out first. They get better because they’re exposed to better thinking, better conversations, and better guidance.

At an early stage, small decisions carry weight. Who you listen to, what you learn, and where you position yourself all shape what comes next. Under 40 CEOs membership places you in an environment where you’re not navigating alone; you’re learning, engaging, and making more informed decisions as you grow.

If you’ve been waiting, don’t stretch it any further. Early bird closes on 30th April. Join the Under 40 CEOs membership today by clicking here.

ENTREPRENEURS WHEN AN IDEA HITS AT 2AM

It’s 2 a.m., and an idea just hit you. Your eyes are wide open and sleep isn’t happening until you’ve researched this thing. Every entrepreneur knows this moment; you grab your phone, start Googling, and convince yourself you’ll just do “quick research” before going back to bed. Three hours later, you’re still awake and deeper into the rabbit hole than you planned.

That 2am idea might be brilliant, or it might fall apart under scrutiny. Either way, you need access to people who understand the grind and can help you execute or save you from wasting months on something that won’t work.

Join our membership to connect with entrepreneurs. Early bird closes on 30th April.

DR. OLA BROWN: FROM PERSONAL TRAGEDY TO TRANSFORMING AFRICA

Dr. Ola Brown’s journey began with a personal challenge and evolved into a mission that spans healthcare and investment across Africa. Growing up in England, she witnessed her younger sister living with a serious illness; those early experiences taught her the power of care and inspired her desire to make a difference.

How did she turn this vision into outcomes that affect thousands across Africa? Discover the full story in How We Made It In Africa, Vol 2. Get your copy via the link in bio or at Rovingheights bookstores across Nigeria.

WHAT’S NEXT? JOIN BEFORE EARLY BIRD CLOSES.

This week, stop waiting for the perfect time. Early bird pricing ends April 30th, after which costs increase. If you’re serious about growth and gaining the right knowledge, people, and opportunities, act now.

Validate ideas quickly by connecting with tested entrepreneurs, learn valuable skills, and get ongoing guidance to boost profitability. Membership is open, with early bird ending April 30th. Don’t miss out.

Click this link to join now.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s next generation of business leaders with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

For partnerships or enquiries, email info@under40ceos.com
Join us at https://under40ceos.com/membership/

Join Our Ecosystem

• Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• Subscribe to our Learning Hub mailing list to receive insights, tools, and opportunities every week.

• Explore our courses and exclusive content here.

Until next week,
Under 40 CEOs
www.under40ceos.com

Let’s get straight to it.

Membership for the year is open, and it has been since the start of April.

Some people have already stepped in. Others are still watching, still weighing options, still telling themselves they have time.

There is no advantage in waiting here.

If you have been considering joining, take the step now. Secure your place now!

This week, we’re talking about playing the long game, and building teams that perform without constant supervision. We’re also opening a conversation about membership and why surrounding yourself with the right community changes everything.

MEMBERSHIP FAQ: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Many founders and business executives eventually realise that progress becomes easier when you’re connected to the right knowledge and the right professional network. Under 40 CEOs membership was created to provide exactly that environment.

Members gain access to the Under 40 CEOs Learning Hub, where courses cover essential business disciplines like marketing strategy, sales systems, leadership development, hiring, and operational management. But it’s not just about courses; they also participate in programmes and community experiences including the Under 40 CEOs Forum, Fireside Chats with founders and venture capitalists, Pitch Nights where entrepreneurs present their ventures, and professional workshops designed for real-world application.

Beyond that, members are invited to major gatherings such as our International Women’s Day experience, International Men’s Day conversations, and book launches like How We Made It in Africa. They also engage directly with experienced entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and senior executives through monthly mentor visits and community discussions that go beyond surface-level networking.

For business executives who value learning, collaboration, and meaningful business relationships, Under 40 CEOs membership provides the kind of platform that accelerates continued growth. Join our membership today!

DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR WEBINAR COMING UP THIS SATURDAY

If your business isn’t growing the way you expected, the problem probably isn’t your effort. It’s the playbook.

Most of what founders in Africa have been taught was designed for a different market, different resources, a completely different ecosystem. Applying it here has a cost that most founders are quietly paying right now.

This Saturday, Familusi Babajide is walking through 10 of those broken playbooks and exactly what works instead. It’s free, it’s specific, and it’s long overdue.

April 18, 2026 | 10:00 AM WAT Register: https://under40ceos.com/webinar

YOU HAVE $50,000. WHAT DO YOU DO?

You have $50,000 sitting in your account, ready to be deployed. Four options are in front of you, and each one pulls your business in a different direction.

Option A: Marketing campaign to acquire new customers
Option B: Hire additional staff
Option C: Upgrade your product or service
Option D: Save it for emergencies

The right answer depends entirely on where your business is right now. What would you do? Drop your choice (A, B, C, or D) in the comments on our Instagram and explain your reasoning; we want to see how you think.

Follow us for more scenarios that sharpen your business thinking.

GUESS THE BUSINESS EXECUTIVE

He channelled it into building one of Nigeria’s most ambitious media agencies. His vision was to make it one of the top three agencies in Nigeria by revenue, expand across Africa, and ensure that a strategy presented by a media planner in Lagos matches the quality of counterparts in the UK.

He champions programmatic marketing, data-driven advertising, and responsible data practices whilst valuing openness, collaboration, curiosity, honesty, integrity, and courage in his team. And through it all, he’s intentional about work-life balance, creating distinct quality time for his wife and children because he knows one doesn’t replace the other.

Can you guess who he is? Read our book, How We Made It in Africa Volume 2 to get the answer, or get the book at Rovingheights bookstores across Nigeria.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP REWARDS THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND THE LONG GAME

Sustainable success is rarely instant. It’s built through vision, resilience, disciplined execution, and the courage to stay focused long after the excitement fades and everyone else has moved on to the next shiny thing.

This perspective from Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, is a timely reminder for every founder and business leader navigating growth, uncertainty, and ambition. If you’re committed to building with intention rather than chasing quick wins, surround yourself with the right community.

Become a member.

LEARNING RESOURCE FOR THE WEEK: SALES & MARKETING FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

You can’t improve what you don’t measure, and you can’t measure what you don’t understand.

Most African entrepreneurs are flying blind in sales because they don’t understand basic terminology. They don’t know their conversion rates, can’t calculate customer lifetime value, don’t track their close rate, and have no idea what their churn looks like; so they’re making decisions based on feelings instead of data, which is a dangerous way to run a business.

Understanding key sales terms isn’t about sounding smart; it’s about knowing which numbers to watch, what drives revenue, and where you’re losing money. When you understand customer lifetime value, you know how much to spend on acquisition. When you track the close rate, you know if your pitch works. When you monitor churn, you fix retention before it kills growth.

These are the foundation of every successful sales operation.

Ready to speak the language of sales and build systems that generate revenue? Enrol in Sales & Marketing for Business Growth now!

WHAT’S NEXT?

This week, think long term. Entrepreneurship isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon where the people who win are the ones who keep running when everyone else stops to catch their breath.

WHO WE ARE

Under 40 CEOs exists to connect Africa’s next generation of business leaders with the insights, community, and opportunities that accelerate growth.

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Until next week,
Under 40 CEOs
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