Debbie Larry-Izamoje, the 31-year-old CEO of Brila Media Group, is redefining leadership for a new generation of professionals and women in Nigeria’s competitive media space. With a reputation for bold decision-making, innovative thinking, and digital expertise, she is encouraging business leaders to reflect deeply on their leadership journey by asking three powerful questions.
A respected media executive, entrepreneur, and advocate for women in African sports, Debbie is known for her visionary leadership and commitment to driving change. Through her work with Brila Media Group and Football for Girls Africa, she has consistently championed inclusion, purpose, and forward-thinking strategies.
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Speaking on the lessons from the first half of 2025, Debbie shared a candid reflection on the challenges CEOs face in maintaining focus and boldness.
“It feels like January was just yesterday. We started the year full of energy, fresh strategies, and big goals. But somewhere between Q1’s pressure and the daily grind, I realised I wasn’t always leading boldly. In some areas, I was just surviving,” she said.
Debbie emphasized that great leadership begins with personal responsibility and vision. “Leadership starts with how you lead yourself, your habits, your mindset, your vision. When we slip into survival mode, we make safer choices, delay bold moves, and slowly drift away from the future we once prayed for,” she added.
She admitted that although her calendar was full, she wasn’t always advancing what truly mattered. “Business had hijacked boldness. I was ticking off tasks but not necessarily advancing what truly mattered.”
Despite her notable achievements, growing Brila Media’s influence, scaling impact through social initiatives, and pursuing personal development, Debbie realized that strategic alignment is essential to sustained growth.
This realization led her to develop three bold, introspective questions that she believes every CEO must ask regularly: Are you spending time or investing it? Are you managing tasks or building a legacy? Are you reacting to life’s demands or intentionally creating the life you want?
“There’s still time to finish 2025 strong, not just busy but aligned,” Debbie advised. “Small realignments today can create massive momentum by December. Wherever you are right now, you’re only one decision away from getting back on track.”
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Her story reflects a wider shift in corporate leadership across Nigeria, where youth, innovation, and gender diversity are gaining recognition as powerful forces for change.
For Debbie, leadership is not about status but about significance. “Leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about impact, alignment, and creating a future that’s worth the fight,” she concluded.
