Business
By Anthony Isibor
BUSINESSMAN and entrepreneur Joseph Edgar has called on Nigerians to reduce their dependence on government for solutions to the country’s economic and security challenges, urging citizens and business leaders to take greater responsibility for building wealth, creating jobs and strengthening their communities.
Speaking at the 3rd Kosofe Economic and Security Dialogue 2026, organised by the Kosofe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Edgar said that the country would make limited progress if citizens continued to wait for government to solve its problems.
“Government has failed. Elective power has failed. Appointive power has failed. If we keep knocking our heads on the same wall, what happens? The wall will not break,” he said.
According to him, the government is struggling with limited resources and capacity and cannot, on its own, address the country’s economic and security problems.
“If we keep waiting for government for solution, for salvation, we will die. Our children will die. Our graduates will die. Nothing will change,” he said.
Edgar called for what he described as vision-driven leadership, urging individuals to ask what they could contribute to their communities and the wider economy.
“It is now time for vision-driven leadership. It is now time for everybody to stand up and say, ‘What can I do? Not only for myself, but for the system, for the community, for structure. How do I strengthen processes? How do I help government help itself?’”
He cited the growth of Nigeria’s entertainment and technology sectors as examples of industries that developed significantly through private-sector initiative.
According to him, Nollywood grew from a small industry into a major economic sector, while technology companies such as Flutterwave and other Nigerian startups have created businesses valued at billions of dollars.
He also pointed to privately developed estates and communities with functioning electricity, security, water and roads as examples of what private initiative can achieve where government provision is inadequate.
Edgar said that the development of institutions such as chambers of commerce could help replicate such initiatives across communities and create a broader network of businesses and entrepreneurs capable of driving local development.
He argued that economic influence could also change the relationship between citizens and public officials.
“The local government chairman needs you. You don’t need him. Police needs you. You don’t need police. You have to help police do their work,” he said.
Edgar also spoke about his personal experience of losing jobs three times and how the experience changed his approach to work and entrepreneurship.
He recalled growing up with a father who also lost his job several times and who would respond by seeking another job, attending interviews and praying.
“I said to myself, when I grow, if anybody sacks me, I will not do what this Baba is doing,” he said.
After losing his own job, Edgar said he eventually decided against seeking another conventional job and instead moved into theatre, despite having no professional experience in the sector.
He said that the decision eventually led to the establishment of a business that has produced numerous theatrical productions and employed thousands of actors.
Edgar said the experience reinforced his belief that Nigerians could create alternatives for themselves rather than remain dependent on formal employment or government.
He also recounted an encounter with a religious prophet after losing his job, saying he was told that “the grace had left” him and that he needed to undergo a 21-day dry fast.
Edgar said he rejected the advice, arguing that fear and excessive dependence on religious and political authority could prevent people from taking responsibility for their circumstances.
He urged Nigerians to develop the confidence to question public officials and demand accountability rather than treating political office holders as people beyond scrutiny.
“The mindset must change,” he said.
Edgar said the size of Lagos and Nigeria’s population should be viewed not only as a challenge but also as an economic opportunity, because a large population represents a large market for businesses.
He urged members of the Kosofe business community and Nigerians generally to focus on creating businesses that generate wealth, employment and infrastructure.
“Everybody in this room, everybody in the chamber, everybody within the areas of the chamber of commerce, all 22 million of us in Lagos, all 20 million of us in Nigeria, can create something that creates wealth, that will create jobs, that will create infrastructure, that will help government to help us,” he said.
A.I
Sept. 24, 2026
Tags: Joseph Edgar kosofe Chamber of Commerce and Industry