Nigerian businessman, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has urged entrepreneurs to embrace discipline, develop strong business structures and pursue strategic diversification to build sustainable enterprises.
Iyiegbu gave the advice at the Ahava Business Conference 2026 held in the United Kingdom on Saturday, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the host of the conference, Ebele Iyiegbu.
The Chairman of Cubana Group stressed the importance of financial discipline, capable management teams and operational systems in ensuring that businesses remain effective beyond the involvement of their founders.
“Entrepreneurs must build strong organisational structures, maintain financial discipline and develop capable management teams and operational systems that allow businesses to function effectively beyond the daily involvement of their founders,” he said.
He identified premature expansion, inadequate structures and excessive dependence on founders as challenges that could undermine otherwise promising businesses.
“Premature expansion, inadequate structures and excessive dependence on founders can undermine otherwise promising businesses,” Iyiegbu said.
The Cubana Group chairman also urged emerging entrepreneurs to develop their individual strengths rather than attempt to replicate the success of established business personalities.
“Emerging entrepreneurs should develop their individual strengths rather than try to replicate the visible success of established business personalities,” he said.
On diversification, Iyiegbu said entrepreneurs should look beyond acquiring businesses in different sectors and instead build interconnected enterprises that create value and economic opportunities.
“Successful diversification is not simply about acquiring businesses across different industries. It is about creating interconnected enterprises that can reinforce one another, generate employment and open up additional economic opportunities,” he said.
Drawing from his experience in hospitality, entertainment, real estate, beverages and manufacturing, Iyiegbu stressed the importance of building businesses around people, opportunities and sustainable value rather than pursuing expansion for its own sake.
He added that enduring business success was often the result of years of learning, discipline, relationships, setbacks and continuous reinvention.
“Enduring business success is the product of years of learning, discipline, relationships, setbacks and continuous reinvention,” he said.
The conference brought together African entrepreneurs, investors and business executives to discuss enterprise development, investment, wealth creation and strategies for building businesses capable of surviving across generations
Other speakers included Ned Okonkwo and Grace Ofure.
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