Saheed Abodunrin, a Nigerian entrepreneur in the tech space, is at the forefront of a company that provides mobile and digital solutions in an ever-changing technological environment that has become a cornerstone of Africa’s development.
Saheed, chief executive officer of Marigan Space, was inspired to take a plunge into the entrepreneurship world by his mother after seeing her managing many small business ventures to make ends meet for her family as he was growing up.
What started as an investment firm and a vehicle for financial empowerment in 2018 is now spreading its wings by also incorporating several mobile financial services that are now in high demand in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.
“At Marigan Space, we are transforming the Fintech Space with the launch of the Marigan Bill App, a revolutionary platform that will change how Nigerians handle digital transactions,” says Saheed.
“With the App, customers can pay bills seamlessly, convert airtime to cash effortlessly, access virtual USD and Naira accounts as well as earn rewards, cash-back, referral bonuses and enjoy many more other features,” he adds.
Entrepreneurship Drive
Born in Oyan, Osun State, Nigeria, Saheed was educated in Idiroko – a border town in Ogun State, where business was survival.
Saheed traces his business acumen to his mother, who defied all the odds while they were growing up through creative and innovative business ventures that succeeded in putting food on the table.
“I watched my mother navigate different businesses. From selling cement to stationery and even engine oil. She didn’t wait for opportunities; she created them. I saw my mother adapt and push forward despite challenges. And I told myself, ‘If she can do it, I can build something bigger.’ That is the fire that ignited my spirit.”
Evolving Business Landscape
Saheed says being involved in the financial and mobile business landscape has taught him to always stay on his toes and anticipate changes that, without any warning, tend to dismantle how everything works.
Without such an attitude, Saheed says, businesses risk either being left behind or becoming irrelevant to the market – factors that can lead to redundancy.
Over the years, Marigan Space has learned the ropes of the trade and has achieved breakthroughs by implementing effective strategies and ‘shock absorbers’ that allow them to continue navigating, even in the face of sudden changes or new policy shifts.
Says Saheed: “The financial market changes fast. Only the prepared survive because what worked yesterday might be irrelevant tomorrow.
“At Marigan Space, we anticipate market shifts before they happen, focus on customer experience and leverage on technology to scale faster.”
From Challenges to Successes
Lack of adequate financial resources, especially when he was starting his company, is a major challenge that faced Saheed and his team at Marigan Space. However, as an entrepreneur with a burning desire to succeed, Saheed kept pushing and shoving.
His passion and never-say-die attitude not only paid off but also taught him many invaluable lessons that helped him grow.
“For me, the most significant obstacle was funding. I have been told “No” more times than I can count. But I refused to quit. I bootstrapped. I reinvested every kobo. I made my first profits work twice as hard.
“Such experiences will always teach you lessons. I will just say it is not about how much money you start with. It is about how you make that money work for you.”
Saheed identifies a major success as his ability to create opportunities for himself and his company.
“A true entrepreneur does not wait for opportunities, he creates them. One of our biggest milestones is The Marigan Bill App. This is not just another fintech app. This is a financial revolution.”
‘Start Small’
Saheed encourages small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs to have long-term goals of expanding their ventures.
“If I could give upcoming entrepreneurs a blueprint for success, it would be that they must start now. Waiting for the ‘perfect time’ is an excuse. Start small but start now. Also, solve real problems. If people do not need it, your business will fail.
“Master your finances. If you do not know your business financials, your business is already dying. Build strong networks. The right relationships will open many doors that money cannot.
“Reinvest in growth because your first big profit is not for luxury but for expansion. A good entrepreneur must always think long-term. Wealth is always built over decades, not months. Stay patient and remain strategic,” explains Saheed.
Creating Opportunities
Reflecting on his journey as an entrepreneur, Saheed says taking decisive action – rather than pondering and thinking too much about a certain idea – has helped him achieve his objectives.
“Success is not about ideas. Rather, it is more about execution. I have seen great ideas fail and simple ones scale to billions. What is the difference? Action!
“Winners are not the smartest or the most connected. Rather, they are the most relentless. You must not wait for opportunities. Rather, you must create them. I did not come this far to just build a company. I came to create wealth, change industries, and leave a legacy,” Saheed says.
