From Fora to Andela, Flutterwave to Moove and countless advisory roles and investments in startups seeking scale Iyinoluwa Aboyeji has etched his name into the legacy of African entrepreneurship.
His path, though marked by success, was never conventional. It was shaped by deep conviction, radical sacrifice, and an unrelenting desire to build for something greater than himself.
In a powerful reflection shared on LinkedIn, Aboyeji attributed his journey not to luck or intellect, but to two things: the grace of God, and a relentless desire, developed in his youth, to build something way bigger than himself.
“If there is one single thing that has significantly contributed to making me a critical part of three billion dollar companies all built from my tiny outpost in Lagos, Nigeria against incredible odds, it is this: Develop in your youth a very strong and deep desire to build something way bigger than yourself and then bet your whole life on it.”
That mindset led to a series of bold decisions. He gave up 90% of his equity in Fora to join Jeremy Johnson in building Andela, because the mission of empowering African tech talent resonated more than ownership.
And after a well-earned retirement, he moved his family back to Nigeria to co-build Moove alongside Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi, with the vision of redefining African mobility.
“It was never about me,” he wrote. “It was about having a chance to be a part of re-writing history.”
Despite setbacks along the way, Aboyeji emphasizes that greatness is not about perfection but about daring to bet on something that outlives you.
“If you don’t hitch your wagon early to something way bigger than yourself, you aren’t even in the game when it comes to greatness.”
As the next generation of entrepreneurs rises, his reflection offers two timeless lessons:
1. Purpose Over Ego
Aboyeji’s decision to give up 90% of his equity in Fora to co-found Andela with Jeremy Johnson is a powerful reminder that real impact begins when personal gain takes a back seat to collective vision. Similarly, his return from retirement to help build Moove reflects an unwavering devotion to purpose over personal comfort.
2. Sacrifice Over Prestige
By walking away from prestigious institutions like Stanford GSB and Singularity University, Aboyeji chose the path of real-world execution over elite recognition. His story challenges young builders to rethink what truly matters—reputation or results, applause or actual impact.
From Fora to Andela, Flutterwave to Moove and countless advisory roles and investments in startups seeking scale Iyinoluwa Aboyeji has etched his name into the legacy of African entrepreneurship.
His path, though marked by success, was never conventional. It was shaped by deep conviction, radical sacrifice, and an unrelenting desire to build for something greater than himself.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: TVC’s AI News Anchor: Should Innovation Wait for Regulation?
In a powerful reflection shared on LinkedIn, Aboyeji attributed his journey not to luck or intellect, but to two things: the grace of God, and a relentless desire, developed in his youth, to build something way bigger than himself.
“If there is one single thing that has significantly contributed to making me a critical part of three billion dollar companies all built from my tiny outpost in Lagos, Nigeria against incredible odds, it is this: Develop in your youth a very strong and deep desire to build something way bigger than yourself and then bet your whole life on it.”
That mindset led to a series of bold decisions. He gave up 90% of his equity in Fora to join Jeremy Johnson in building Andela, because the mission of empowering African tech talent resonated more than ownership.
He turned down academic opportunities at Stanford University Graduate School of Business and Singularity University paths many would consider dream destinations so he could co-found Flutterwave, a fintech giant that would reshape how Africa moves money.
And after a well-earned retirement, he moved his family back to Nigeria to co-build Moove alongside Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi, with the vision of redefining African mobility.
“It was never about me,” he wrote. “It was about having a chance to be a part of re-writing history.”
Despite setbacks along the way, Aboyeji emphasizes that greatness is not about perfection but about daring to bet on something that outlives you.
“If you don’t hitch your wagon early to something way bigger than yourself, you aren’t even in the game when it comes to greatness.”
YOU CAN ALSO READ: Nvidia CEO, Jensen Huang Gets First Pay Raise in a Decade Amid Soaring Company Valuation
As the next generation of entrepreneurs rises, his reflection offers two timeless lessons:
1. Purpose Over Ego
Aboyeji’s decision to give up 90% of his equity in Fora to co-found Andela with Jeremy Johnson is a powerful reminder that real impact begins when personal gain takes a back seat to collective vision. Similarly, his return from retirement to help build Moove reflects an unwavering devotion to purpose over personal comfort.
2. Sacrifice Over Prestige
By walking away from prestigious institutions like Stanford GSB and Singularity University, Aboyeji chose the path of real-world execution over elite recognition. His story challenges young builders to rethink what truly matters—reputation or results, applause or actual impact.