NES32: Parthian Urges Nigerian Businesses to Build Investment Readiness and Pursue Growth Capital

At the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit CEO Forum, Parthian Bank’s Managing Director-Designate, Mrs Foluso Ayo-Olaiya, called for purposeful collaboration among government, financial institutions and enterprises to help businesses scale.

Parthian Financial Services has called for a more deliberate effort to connect available capital with Nigerian ventures and businesses that are ready to turn it into sustainable value.

Speaking during the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit CEO Forum panel session, “The Business of Scale,” Mrs Foluso Ayo-Olaiya, Managing Director-Designate of Parthian Bank, said the country must build stronger pathways between capital providers and businesses with the capacity to grow. She represented Mr Oluseye Olusoga, Group CEO, Parthian Financial Services Limited.

“The goal is to connect capital to ventures and businesses that can turn it into value,” Ayo-Olaiya said. “That is the objective we must all work towards, and it requires partnership.”

The discussion examined the practical actions needed to accelerate enterprise growth, strengthen productivity and create an enabling environment for inclusive development. Ayo-Olaiya joined Olivier Buyoya, Regional Director for West Africa at the International Finance Corporation; Juliet Ehimuan, Board Director of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group; and Isah Aruwa, Group Controller, Office of the Vice President, Dangote Industries Limited. The session was moderated by Wale Abioye, Partner, KPMG.

Ayo-Olaiya said financial institutions have a critical role in providing appropriate forms of support to businesses at different stages of their growth journey, from startups seeking venture funding to established companies preparing to access the capital market.

“Parthian is a full-service financial services group that supports businesses at different stages of their growth, from startups seeking venture capital to businesses preparing to list on the capital market,” she said. “There are opportunities to provide support at every stage.”

She urged entrepreneurs to take greater ownership of their financing journey, challenging businesses to move beyond outdated assumptions about the availability or accessibility of capital.

“Businesses need to take ownership of their future when it comes to accessing capital and move beyond preconceived notions about what is possible,” Ayo-Olaiya said. “The sooner we embrace change, the better positioned we will be to access funding.”

According to her, businesses should consider both debt and equity financing, rather than treating access to bank credit as their only route to growth.

“Debt may be difficult to secure, but equity is another option,” she said. “Both can serve the same purpose, and in some cases, equity may even be easier on the business. So, if debt financing proves challenging, explore equity.”

She added that entrepreneurs must actively seek credible information and advisory support as they prepare to raise capital. “The information is readily available. If you cannot navigate the search yourself, seek out people who can help,” she said.

For small and micro businesses, that readiness must be matched by strong internal foundations: sound governance, transparent records and financial discipline. These practices help businesses present a clearer investment case, engage capital providers with confidence and demonstrate the capacity to deploy funding responsibly.

Ayo-Olaiya’s message to enterprises was direct: “Businesses must be proactive. They need to seek out financing opportunities, explore both debt and equity, and take deliberate steps to access the capital they need to grow.”

She also noted that financial institutions have a commercial imperative to deepen their support for smaller businesses. “There is growing interest in supporting small businesses,” she said. “Financial institutions also recognise that these businesses are critical to their growth.”

As government advances reforms that strengthen competitiveness and the operating environment, Ayo-Olaiya said sustained progress will depend on collaboration across the ecosystem, public institutions enabling enterprise, financial institutions matching capital to viable opportunities, and businesses building the discipline and readiness needed to scale.

“My charge to everyone in this room is that we must be more intentional about supporting and scaling micro and small businesses across the country,” she said.
Parthian Urges Stronger Link Between Available Capital and Investment-Ready Nigerian Businesses