The Executive Director of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), Dr. Osahon Okunbo, has been named Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 by Vanguard Newspapers in recognition of his contributions to nation building and development.
Speaking after receiving the award, Okunbo described the recognition as unexpected and reflective of a family milestone. “I feel very honored and humbled by it. It’s definitely something I didn’t really expect. It’s a full circle moment for me because 10 years ago, my father got the businessman of the year award from Vanguard in 2016,” he said.
Okunbo also called for improved access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), identifying financing constraints as a major limitation to business growth in Nigeria.
“The number one thing for me is access to credit. Our SMEs make up 90 per cent of the economy. They employ 90 per cent our people, but they lack sufficient access to credit,” he said.
He noted that bank lending to the private sector remains low relative to the size of the economy. “Bank debts to the private sector as a percentage of GDP in Nigeria is only 13 per cent. In other developed countries, it’s over 100 per cent,” he said, adding that policies aimed at increasing liquidity would support enterprise growth. “We need to pump cheap credit into the system so that our SMEs can thrive.”
The award, is approved by Vanguard’s Board of Editors under the Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards. According to the organisers, the honour recognises Okunbo’s investments and leadership across hospitality, oil and gas, agriculture, the arts, and the built environment, all key sectors of Nigeria’s economy.
Also speaking, Founder of Aruwa Capital Management and family member, Adesuwa Okunbo-Rhodes, described the recognition as part of a continuing legacy. “We’re very happy and proud as a family that Osahon continues to carry the baton of entrepreneurship for the family,” she said.
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