The Managing Director of FAGNA Training and Consultancy Limited, Bolade Ajadi, has recounted how he built the company from humble beginnings, starting with his car and his wife as the first staff member, to a growing consultancy firm serving public-sector institutions.
Ajadi, who said the company began in 2011 and commenced operations in 2012, attributed its growth to perseverance, financial discipline and faith in God.
He disclosed this during an exclusive interview, where he spoke about the company’s journey, its approach to capacity development, the challenges of running a business and the opportunities available to young Nigerians.
According to him, FAGNA was established to bridge gaps in the training and capacity-building market, with a particular focus on helping public-sector institutions apply acquired knowledge to practical challenges.
“We started small with just my car, then my wife happened to be my first staff. She was coordinating and moving around before she eventually left her previous employment to join me fully,” he said.
Ajadi added that the company had since expanded from its initial small office to a new facility, describing the development as a significant milestone in its growth.
He explained that FAGNA provides training, capacity building, research and learning visits within Nigeria and internationally, serving clients across different parts of the public sector, including government institutions and agencies.
The managing director said the company’s approach was designed to address the challenge of translating professional training into practical results, particularly where knowledge acquired abroad might not reflect local realities.
He noted that although organisations and public officials sometimes engage international consulting firms or travel abroad for training, participants may struggle to implement what they learn after returning to their respective workplaces.
Ajadi said FAGNA seeks to bridge that gap by tailoring its programmes to the specific needs and circumstances of participating organisations.
“Our own niche now is in the area of development projects. We provide training in performance management, leadership, and monitoring and evaluation.
“We ensure that whatever participants learn can be transferred and applied when they return home, unlike situations where people acquire knowledge but cannot put it into practice because of their peculiar circumstances,” he said.
Speaking on the company’s milestones, Ajadi identified its engagement with senior government officials and delegations as a major source of encouragement.
He recalled that the company hosted a former governor in 2022, adding that it had continued to attract high-level participants to its programmes.
He also disclosed that about six cabinet members from Adamawa State participated in a learning visit to Ethiopia in the preceding month.
Ajadi said such engagements reflected the confidence placed in the company and strengthened its commitment to providing practical training and consultancy services.
On his leadership routine, he said his day typically begins around 5:30 a.m. with Bible reading, followed by a one-hour walk from 6 a.m.
He added that he prepares a list of tasks before heading to the office, usually between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., where he attends to scheduled activities, marketing, meetings and other operational responsibilities.
The FAGNA boss identified sustaining the business during periods of low patronage as one of his biggest challenges, particularly because training is often among the first areas organisations consider when cutting expenditure.
He explained that the company must continue to maintain its operations and pay staff salaries even when new contracts are not forthcoming.
Despite the difficulties, Ajadi said FAGNA had maintained a commitment to paying salaries on the 25th of every month since its establishment, attributing this to careful planning and financial discipline.
He also recalled the difficulties the company faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when restrictions prevented it from gathering participants for physical training.
According to him, the company continued paying half of its employees’ salaries for about three months during the period, despite the disruption to its operations.
Ajadi further disclosed that challenges, including delays in completing the company’s new facility, issues with tax authorities and fraud, had affected some of its plans.
He said the experiences had taught him to adjust to unexpected circumstances without abandoning the company’s goals.
“Because of my faith in God, we do not really see it as failure. We see it as part of the process towards success,” he said.
Advising young Nigerians, Ajadi urged them to identify problems within their communities and develop solutions that could create value, rather than allow limited resources or their background to discourage them.
He said advances in artificial intelligence and other technologies had created opportunities for young people to pursue ideas and ventures that might previously have been difficult to establish.
“The time they have now is no longer an excuse. With AI and the rest of it, there are so many things they can do,” he said.
Ajadi encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to start with what they have, remain committed to their ideas and improve their efforts over time.
He cited the growth of global technology platforms such as Facebook and Instagram as examples of ventures that developed over time, urging young people to focus on solving genuine problems rather than waiting for perfect conditions to begin.
Kehinde Ayanboade
Kehinde Ayanboade is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Naija Metro News, with over eight years of experience covering Nigerian politics, crime, legislative proceedings and metropolitan affairs.
