Experts: Nigeria’s Tech Boom Hinges on a New Approach to Business Management

Oluchi Chibuzor

As Nigeria’s technology and service sectors continue to attract global attention, a growing consensus among management experts suggests that sustainable growth depends less on initial funding and more on the sophisticated management of a rapidly evolving workforce. The rise of app-based services, particularly in logistics and transportation, has created thousands of jobs, yet many of these new enterprises face significant challenges in achieving long-term profitability and operational stability.

Recent scholarly work is beginning to shed light on the unique pressures within this new ‘gig economy’. A significant contribution to this discourse comes from management expert Dr. Gloria Chinagozi Osademe, whose research is examining the critical link between innovative business models and on-the-ground performance. Her work on ‘technopreneurship’ delves into how ride-hailing firms and other tech-driven companies must adapt their strategies to the Nigerian context.

Dr. Osademe argues that many of these companies adopt a ‘one-size-fits-all’ global model without adequately accounting for local operational complexities, which often leads to high rates of partner attrition and service inconsistencies. “The success of a technology platform is not just in the code; it’s in the human element,” Dr. Osademe notes. “Effective business performance in this sector is a direct result of how well these firms manage their relationships with their partners—the drivers, delivery agents, and other independent contractors who are the face of the brand.”

Her research is already gaining traction among leading academics. Professor Omefia Osuya, Department of Economics at the University of Ibadan, commented on the findings, stating, “Dr. Osademe’s work is both timely and critical. She is moving the conversation beyond abstract theories and providing the data-driven, practical insights that our service economy desperately needs. Her focus on the human factor in ‘technopreneurship’ is a significant contribution that business leaders and policymakers should be paying close attention to.”

As the Nigerian economy becomes increasingly digitized, insights like those from Dr. Osademe are proving essential for both local startups and international firms. Her work underscores a critical message: for Nigeria’s tech sector to truly mature, it must innovate not only in its technology but also in its management of people.