With ‘The Challengers,’ Imasuen Unveils VFD’s Origin Story

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

On a day occasioned by seasonal rainfall, and slightly a threat to an already timed event, it turned out quite impressive the number of guests, made up of book lovers, policy makers, media personalities, and lovers of enterprise who converged for the public presentation and landmark launch of ‘The Challengers’, a compelling book already being placed high in the canon of African business literature by critics.

Written by acclaimed novelist and entrepreneur Dr. Eghosa Imasuen, ‘The Challengers departs from typical corporate speak to tell the raw, true story of the VFD Group founders, every detail reflected the spirit of resilience, ambition and collaboration that defines the book itself. The colorful event marks Imasuen’s return to writing after a 14-year hiatus following his best-selling novel, Fine Boys.

Highlights of the event held at Radisson Blu Anchorage Victoria Island, spans engaging conversations, networking and book signings by the author, with copies on offer at the venue. Imasuen, who after a stint managing the publishing house Kachifo Limited, and co-founded Narrative Landscape Press with Anwuli Ojiogwu, presented this tour de force of narrative nonfiction in a style uniquely his.

With host, Isabella Adediji, the atmosphere unfolded as an immersive celebration of ideas rather than a conventional book launch. Renowned book reviewer, Kunle Kasumu, praised the book “for reading less like a business case study and more like a compelling corporate thriller, filled with memorable characters, dramatic turning points and timeless lessons on leadership and governance.”

Published by Narrative Landscape Press, the 14-chapter book tells the extraordinary true story of how five friends: Nonso Okpala, Adeniyi Adenubi, Mobolaji Adewumi, Gbenga Omolokun and Azubike Emodi came together in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis to build what is today the multi-billion-naira VFD Group.

Rather than celebrating the myth of the lone genius entrepreneur, the book champions something even more compelling: the transformative power of trust, shared purpose and equal partnership.

The founders recognised the need for a new kind of financial institution in Nigeria, one that was nimble, innovative, and responsive to the needs of a rapidly changing market.

Another significant moment of the evening came with the session featuring conversation between media personality, Chude Jideonwo, Imasuen, and the VFD founders. Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, foreword describes ‘The Challengers’ as a transformative work capable of inspiring a new generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs.

For Imasuen, writing the book was inspired by his recognition of a generation coming of age and the need to document the story of a group of young Nigerian entrepreneurs pushing through the odds to build a corporate powerhouse which he found both rare and inspiring. “The reason why I felt so driven in telling this story was because I recognised what made them different,” he recalls.

“I find that the writers of my generation have been telling the stories of our generation. Their characters have been recognised so well as real people and that is why the stories resonate so much so that when I found a cohort of boys and girls, young men and young women that actually collaborated to build a business which actually works, I reached out and said I want to tell this story,” he said.