Nigerian Strategist Argues Politics and Business Can Coexist with Integrity
Solomon Ogo-oluwa Oyerinde, an entrepreneur and political strategist, has challenged the common Nigerian belief that politicians must abandon business, arguing that the two can complement each other when conducted with integrity.
He claims the prevailing mindset that views politically-involved business owners with suspicion is “misguided and harmful.”
Oyerinde, who is the CEO of the luxury brand Global Sao Luxury Palace and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), asserts that his business not only sustains him but also contributes value to the economy.
He contends that a politician who runs a business gains a crucial, firsthand understanding of the struggles faced by entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens.
He defines the relationship as follows:
* Politics is fundamentally about service and creating an enabling environment.
* Business thrives on innovation and productivity.
Oyerinde emphasizes that many successful global leaders have entrepreneurial backgrounds, which instilled in them discipline, strategic thinking, and a practical understanding of policy impact.
Oyerinde advocates for a shift in public suspicion. He suggests that questions should not be directed at politicians who operate honest, visible businesses, but rather at those who have “no trade, no career, and no enterprise outside politics.”
He concludes that for Nigeria to make meaningful progress, more leaders must demonstrate through their actions that “politics and business can indeed go hand in hand,” producing real service from leaders who are productive in both the public and private spheres.
