Jobberman, in collaboration with industry and economic experts, has urged business executives to embrace high agency, strategic adaptability, and proactive planning to navigate the economic uncertainties of 2025.
Speaking at the Jobberman Business Breakfast for C-Suite Executives in Lagos on Thursday, experts shared actionable strategies for business sustainability and growth amidst evolving challenges.
Jobberman Nigeria’s Managing Director, Ore Boboye, empathized with business owners, acknowledging the difficulties faced in 2024 due to economic turbulence. He called on the Federal Government to enforce reforms that create a more business-friendly environment. Boboye emphasized that reforms come with an adjustment period and urged the government to implement policies effectively, bridging the gap between the public sector and businesses.
Samantha Ifezulike, Head of People and Culture at Jobberman Nigeria, stressed the importance of investing in workforce well-being and retention for long-term profitability. She highlighted the significance of providing stability through benefits such as medical coverage, after-work activities, and external learning opportunities to nurture business growth.
Adewale Oyerinde, Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, represented by Adenike Ajala, Director of Social, Economic, and Labour Affairs at NECA, underscored the need for a balance between economic growth and workers’ welfare. Ajala emphasized that the success of reforms would depend on effective collaboration between the government, employers, and labor unions.
Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Nigeria, stressed that customer-centricity has become a non-negotiable factor in today’s business landscape. She advised companies to embrace technological disruptions and evolving consumer preferences to stay competitive and maintain market dominance.
Oluyemi Oloyede, Managing Director of UAC Foods, advised businesses to anticipate challenges like inflation and currency devaluation when planning their strategies. Oloyede highlighted that while the business environment may always present challenges, profitability is the reward for those willing to take calculated risks.
Funke Oladoke, Tax Partner at Deloitte Nigeria, warned businesses to stay informed about Finance Acts and tax reforms, emphasizing the need for scenario planning. Adedapo Adelegan, Group Managing Director of Celtron Group, encouraged businesses to create vertical or horizontal business curves to anticipate government policy changes and market disruptions. He also advocated for a stronger “Buy Nigeria” approach to promote economic growth.
The panelists agreed that businesses must adopt high agency, leverage data, and continually innovate to remain profitable amid the economic uncertainties expected in 2025.