Veteran comedian and entrepreneur Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, has urged Nigerians to consciously develop their talents into meaningful assets that can create both commercial and societal value.
He made the call during the Life Guide Colloquium held in Lagos, where thought leaders gathered to discuss leadership, personal growth, and nation-building. The event also featured the presentation of a book titled Life Guide: Stories, Lessons and Insights to Empower Your Journey by brand strategist and leadership architect Jide Adeyemi.
Speaking on the theme “Influence Engineering,” Ali Baba stressed that raw talent alone is not sufficient for success, noting that individuals must deliberately refine their abilities until they become valuable and widely recognised.
According to him, true influence is built when potential is consistently nurtured and transformed into something that others can rely on for both economic and social impact.
“We are talking about mining your potential properly until it becomes an asset,” he said. “Potential is where to start from, but you have to develop it enough to the point where people begin to seek it for commercial or societal value.”
He further emphasised the importance of recognising individuals who create opportunities and contribute positively to society, adding that appreciation encourages greater productivity and innovation.
Ali Baba also argued that acknowledging impact-driven individuals is essential for building a society that rewards creativity and motivates continued contribution.
Also speaking at the event, Jide Adeyemi called for more intentional and purpose-driven leadership in Nigeria, noting that the country’s major challenge is not a lack of capable leaders but a lack of continuity and consistency in governance.
He observed that policy inconsistency and frequent changes in direction hinder national development, as successive administrations often abandon existing programmes in favour of new agendas.
“We have amazing leaders in Nigeria, but what is lacking is intentionality and purposeful leadership,” Adeyemi said. “One government comes with fantastic programmes, and immediately they leave office, the next person starts something new. That is why we don’t have continuity.”
Despite the challenges, he described Nigeria as a country filled with vast opportunities, driven by gaps in infrastructure and services that continue to create room for innovation and enterprise.
Adeyemi added that the colloquium was designed to provide clarity and direction for individuals navigating personal, professional, and societal challenges in a fast-changing world.
He also highlighted the interconnected nature of leadership, faith, branding, and nation-building, stressing that sustainable progress depends on strong values and consistent communication.
Speaking on his book, Adeyemi said Life Guide was designed to help readers develop clarity, embrace purposeful living, and make more intentional decisions in their personal and professional lives.
