Lagos State stakeholders on wealth creation, alongside private sector experts, have highlighted key principles for building sustainable wealth at the Wealth Generation Expo 2026 (Wealth Expo 2026). The event was jointly organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos Governor on Wealth Creation and Pyrex Consulting, under the leadership of Dr. Sijuade Balogun.
The event held on Friday, May 1, at the Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, was themed; Building Sustainable System, Structure and Models of Wealth.
Championed by SSA on Wealth Creation and Employment, Amb. Comr Tijani Oluwadare, the Wealth Expo 2026 brought together key players driving Lagos State’s wealth creation agenda. Among them were the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe; House Committee Chairman on Wealth Creation, Hon. Stella Foluke Osafile; Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende; and Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State Chapter, Engr. Ibrahim Olalekan Adigun (MNSE).
Public–Private Collaboration Takes Center Stage
Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, called for stronger collaboration with the private sector, citing Pyrex Consulting’s role in supporting the Expo. He also highlighted key programmes of the Ministry, including the Graduate Internship Placement programme.
According to Ajigbotafe, the programme was designed to bridge the gap between university curricula and the practical experience required by employers.
“We engage private sector consultants to train graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge, place them in internships, and pay their stipends during the internship period,” he said.
Panel Insights: Experts Weigh in on Wealth Building
The Wealth Expo 2026 also featured a panel session comprising seasoned professionals in wealth creation. Panelists included House of Representatives member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun; Dr. Olaitan Osho of Access Bank; Adeolu Ogunnubi; Co-founder of Readland Global, Dr. Francis Adeshina; and Oluwatosin Smith-Job, CEO of Levander Events.
Wealth Creation is a Long-Term Game
In his keynote address, Professor Akin Akinpelu, CEO of AAL&D, emphasized that wealth creation is a long-term process, not an immediate outcome.
He noted that Nigeria’s education system is largely structured to promote survival rather than the development of systems, structures, and models that enable wealth creation. According to him, this partly explains why many young people struggle to build wealth despite significant cash flow.
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Sharing his personal experience, he explained how he began building wealth on a modest salary of ₦5,000 as a teacher, investing ₦3,000 in the stock market while managing the remaining ₦2,000 for monthly expenses. He carried this investment mindset into the university environment, where he also earned income by teaching fellow students how to invest, having been mentored by market experts.
He advocated for a review of Nigeria’s school curriculum to move beyond exam-focused learning towards teaching investment principles and wealth-building strategies. Without such reforms, he warned, the country risks producing individuals who earn income but fail to build lasting value.
He added that while it took some countries 100 to 200 years to develop their systems, Nigeria does not have that luxury. According to him, Africa’s structural gaps present opportunities to build scalable systems.
The Mindset Shift
He challenged participants to rethink their approach to success:
Instead of asking, “What job can I get?” ask, “How can I become essential in value creation?”
Instead of asking, “How do I grow myself?” ask, “How do I build something that grows without me?”
Instead of asking, “How do I become rich?” ask, “How do I become valuable to others?”
Final Takeaways from Organizers
Earlier in his welcome address, the SSA on Wealth Creation and Employment reminded participants that true wealth is not built overnight but requires vision, discipline, strategy, and durable structures.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Sijuade Balogun, Principal Partner at Pyrex Consulting, emphasized that true wealth goes beyond money in the bank or current status, stressing that it is fundamentally about building systems, structures, and models that endure over time.
BuyerMetrics Bottom Line
Lagos is pushing a structured approach to wealth creation anchored on skills, systems, and private sector collaboration.
The real test will be execution; how effectively these ideas translate into scalable opportunities for young Nigerians.
