Lagos chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (EO), a platform of business owners with a net worth of at least $1 million globally, and no fewer than 45 members in Lagos and Abuja is positive about growth opportunities in the Nigerian economy.
EO members’ investments are on the rise as some of the 45 members have done up to $3 million and above in key sectors of the economy, including telecoms, information and communications technology (ICT), oil and gas, agriculture, real estate and retails.
The EO is a global, peer-to-peer network of more than 13,000 influential business owners with 185 chapters in 58 countries. Founded in 1987, EO is the catalyst that enables leading entrepreneurs to learn and grow, leading to greater success in business and beyond.
The disclosure was made when the Lagos chapter held a reception in honour of its global executives who visited Nigeria.
Catherine Buckingham, manager, Global Membership Development of EO, said at the event that it had been very rewarding networking with entrepreneur members in Africa and other parts of the world, as they learn a lot from one another.
The organisation hopes to reach 18,000 members by the year 2020 from its 13,000 membership as of the end of 2018, she said.
She stated that the group also had a Global Students Entrepreneur Award, which helps to nurture and build enterprises of students whose ideas are marketable, stressing that the global body pegged the age limit of members at 50 years but had now lifted the age restriction to accommodate people of all ages, provided such members had businesses worth at least $1 million.
Also speaking at the event, Sunday Gbenjo, Lagos president of EO, said the organisation was eyeing expansion in other cities of Nigeria like Kano, Enugu, Port Harcourt, and other major commercial hubs.
Gbenro said in 2012, membership figure was 35 but the numbers kept falling and rising due to the economic reality of the country, but it had stabilised at 45 and counting.
He charged the Nigerian government to provide a friendly environment for businesses to thrive, adding that improvement in power supply and critical infrastructure could revolutionise the country’s economy.
He said barring all unforeseen circumstances, EO in Nigeria would hit between 150 and 200 members in the next few years, adding that like its international chapters, the Nigerian chapter had employed hundreds of Nigerians.
