Financial expert Dr Chukwuka Monye has issued a stark warning to Nigerian entrepreneurs, stating that the era of predictable business cycles is over. He declared that economic shocks and disruptions are now a permanent fixture in both the global and local landscape.
The New Reality of Continuous Uncertainty
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on 7 January 2026, the renowned strategist and business adviser explained that recent years have revealed an uncomfortable truth. Uncertainty is no longer a temporary, cyclical phase but a continuous state of affairs. This shift forces business owners to value resilience over raw ambition.
Dr Monye emphasised that the old model, where periods of disruption were reliably followed by a return to normalcy, has ended. Decisions made in faraway markets now ripple through to local Nigerian economies almost instantly. "Nigeria is increasingly exposed to global forces through capital flows, competition, regulation, and policy pressure," he stated.
Redesigning Business for an Unstable Environment
Monye advised that entrepreneurs must fundamentally rethink their operations to function under persistently unstable conditions. He listed several chronic challenges that have become part of daily business life:
- Currency volatility
- Policy swings
- Rising operating costs
- Unpredictable access to capital
"A business model that only works when conditions are calm is fragile, no matter how attractive it looks on paper," he cautioned. For 2026, he predicts that entrepreneurship will be less about boldness and more about composure.
Building Agility into Systems, Not Just People
The business adviser stressed that the ability to adapt quickly must be embedded into the company's structure itself. It should not rely solely on the founder's personal energy or decision-making style. "Agility is not speed alone. It is the ability to adjust pricing, priorities, and operations quickly without confusion," Monye explained. He warned that businesses lacking clear systems and delegated financial authority often collapse under pressure.
Practical Steps for Risk Management and Survival
While strategy remains important, Monye noted that even the best plans cannot prevent disruption. Their true value lies in limiting the damage. He asserted that risk management has moved from theory to a critical daily operational requirement. The greatest risk, he said, is being unprepared.
He encouraged Nigerian business owners to adopt practical financial tools like derivatives, which are no longer just for large banks and traders. "A derivative is simply an agreement made today to avoid unpleasant surprises tomorrow," he simplified. He gave a relatable example: "If you earn in one currency and spend in another, you are already exposed. Ignoring risk is still a decision — and often an expensive one."
Finally, Monye highlighted liquidity protection as the ultimate key to business survival. He observed that many ventures fail not from a lack of profitability, but because they run out of cash and room to manoeuvre when unexpected challenges arise.
