Build Impact-driven Enterprises, Fidelity Bank, MTNN Foundation Urge Entrepreneurs

The Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University, in collaboration with Fidelity Bank Plc and the MTN Nigeria Foundation, has called on Nigerian entrepreneurs and small business owners to build impact-driven enterprises for a better future, rather than focusing solely on profit.

This call was made during the 2025 Social Enterprise Dialogue session, powered by the EDC of Pan-Atlantic University and Fidelity Bank, held in conjunction with the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Week in Lagos.

The keynote speaker and executive director at MTN Nigeria Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, who spoke on the theme: ‘Purpose meets profit: building an impact-driven enterprise for a better future’, re-echoed the call and urged entrepreneurs to ensure the purpose of their businesses is bigger than profit.

She said, “Entrepreneurs need to know that purpose is critical in building a business. That it is not just about the profits, when you have a purpose, and your purpose drives you, you will be guided by pillars to purpose, which include ethics, values, and good governance.”

Mrs Sanya emphasised the importance of culture in building local businesses and advised entrepreneurs to consider culture as a critical ingredient because culture will always eat strategy for breakfast,” she added.

She advised entrepreneurs to build beyond themselves, as small businesses often grow into big companies over time.

According to her, “Entrepreneurs should build beyond themselves. A small business today grows into a big business tomorrow. They shouldn’t settle for small visions of their businesses, nor should they accept anything less than their full potential. They should have a mental image of what their business is about in the long term. And they shouldn’t play the short-term game, but they should play the long-term game, where even after they’re long gone, their efforts through their establishments will continue to serve humanity,” she enthused.

The Managing Director of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN Nigeria), Dr Olawale Anifowose, encouraged Nigerian-owned small businesses to innovate and create offerings that not only generate revenue but also fulfil the needs of both individuals and the community.

Team Lead in the SMEs Banking Group at Fidelity Bank, Chiwike Okere, who spoke on the bank’s collaborative effort with EDC, said, “Fidelity Bank, being a bank that is focused on supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs, deems it very key and important to be associated with this event. And that is why we are partnering with one of our long-standing partners, EDC, to support the various activities that are geared towards showcasing how different kinds of institutions can support entrepreneurs, and more importantly, showcasing how our bank is supporting entrepreneurs in Nigeria.”