Dr. Festus Erewele on Changing Mindsets and Building Legacy Enterprises

Mary Nnah

On a recent flight to Lagos, Dr. Festus Erewele, a renowned business consultant and Managing Partner of Excel & Grace Consulting, found himself in an unexpected but enlightening conversation. One that underscored the often-misunderstood world of business consulting and highlighted its powerful role in transforming enterprises across Africa and beyond.

Seated next to a distinguished businessman on a business-class flight, Dr. Erewele shared insights into what he calls “the business of businessconsulting.” What began as a casual exchange quickly evolved into a masterclass on building sustainable businesses, anchored on people, processes, and policies.

“I simply tell people that I am a business mechanic,” said Dr. Erewele. “I repair damaged businesses, manage them, and grow them into legacy companies. I also guide aspiring entrepreneurs on how to start right.”

According to Erewele, business consulting goes far beyond offering advice. It is a deliberate process that involves understanding a client’s vision, aligning with their core values, and co-creating strategies that are both practical and results-driven.

“Every business is unique. Even within the same industry. The moment leadership changes, outcomes can shift dramatically.

That’s why understanding the mindset of the business owner is the first step,” he noted.

One major obstacle to business growth in developing economies, Erewele explained, is the deep-rooted tendency to personalize businesses.

“We have a strong attachment to ‘me, myself, and my family’ business models,” said Erewele. “This subsistence-level thinking creates barriers to external input and collaboration. A big part of our consulting is helping clients shift from a scarcity mentality to one of abundance.”

Erewele’s firm, Excel & Grace Consulting, which has operated in Nigeria, Ghana, Botswana, Canada, and the U.S., is known for its rigorous approach to organizational development. The firm works with clients to align talent with purpose, deploy effective systems, and institute enduring company cultures.

“At Excel & Grace, we ensure the right people do the right things at the right time. Our consultants build capacity, structure operations, and enforce policies that give businesses a life of their own,” said Erewele.

This philosophy has earned the firm a stellar reputation, with over 600 companies benefiting from their services globally.

As for the gentleman on the flight, later identified as “Chief Ferdinand”, he didn’t just enjoy the conversation; he became a client.

“By the time we landed in Lagos, he had invited me to visit his facility. Today, we’re actively working together, and he has referred us to several other businesses seeking transformation,” Erewele shared.

meaningful business conversations can happen anywhere, and sometimes, 35,000 feet above ground is the perfect place to take enterprise transformation to new heights.

Excel & Grace Consulting is a leading business consulting firm headquartered in Nigeria with operations in Africa and North America. The firm specializes in business diagnostics, process optimization, leadership development, and enterprise structuring for SMEs and large corporations.