Nigerian media entrepreneur and storyteller Chude Jideonwo has advised young entrepreneurs to focus on long-term value creation rather than short-term gains, stressing that sustainable success comes from patience, structure, and intentional investment in people, systems, and ideas.
He made the remarks while speaking at the TIME Conference 2026 hosted by the 40under40 Nigeria awards on April 25, where industry leaders gathered to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainable growth. Jideonwo, co-founder of RED | For Africa and Joy, Inc., and host of the widely followed #WithChude conversations, emphasized that real wealth is built over time through assets that appreciate, including relationships, human capital, and strategic investments.
“Focus on the things that appreciate in life and business,” he said, noting that while such decisions may require sacrifice in the present, they deliver stronger returns in the long run. “You may deny yourself flashy things now, but in a few years, you will get the return on investment.”
Reflecting on his leadership journey, Jideonwo shared how he stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of his company in 2016 and handed over to his partner, Debola Williams. He described the transition as part of a deliberate strategy to build a business that could thrive beyond his direct control. He revealed that during his tenure as CEO, he deliberately avoided direct access to the company’s financial systems, including bank accounts and passwords,an approach many initially criticized. “People thought I was crazy. They kept saying you cannot trust human beings,” he said.
Jideonwo explained that his leadership philosophy was rooted in trust and empowerment rather than control. He also challenged common fears around staff development and retention, arguing that withholding training due to fear of exit weakens organizations in the long run.“When training my staff, there were questions like ‘what if you train them and they go?’ And I would reply, ‘what if I don’t train them and they stay?’” he said.
To strengthen ownership culture, he noted that he granted early staff members equity in the company, helping them see themselves as stakeholders in its growth. According to him, this approach, though unconventional in many environments, was essential for building a resilient organization. Jideonwo further revealed that despite stepping down as CEO over a decade ago, a significant portion of his current revenue still comes from the company he built. “80% of my revenue today, in hundreds of millions of naira, comes from this company I handed over 11 years ago,” he said.
He added that while many people associate him mainly with his podcast and media appearances, his underlying business foundation remains strong enough to support new ventures and creative pursuits.“The time comes for everyone, whether you plan for it or not,” he said. “This is the time to keep building, to keep nurturing. Don’t be quick to show off. A time will come when you will show off with ease, but not at the risk of your business.”Jideonwo concluded by urging young entrepreneurs to prioritize discipline, patience, and steady investment in their ventures. According to him, the present moment should be used for quiet but intentional wealth-building, while long-term rewards come to those who remain consistent and focused.
