Nosakhare shares his experiences, vision and a rarely seen side of him in this insightful feature
Here are some of the excerpts
TAD: But first, please enlighten us. Who is Mr. Nosakhare Tunde-Oni?
NTO: I’d describe myself as a strategist and someone deeply interested in Africa’s growth and development.
Professionally, I’ve spent over twelve years in the oil and gas sector, working across different parts of the value chain. I currently work with Asharami Energy in East Africa, particularly in Rwanda.
Alongside that, I run NTO Advisory, where we help businesses across Africa with strategy and growth. I’m also a partner and Head of Growth at MyCo, a UK-based company where we’re actively building an Africa-focused strategy.
Beyond business, I’m passionate about human development and mental wellness through TALAR Company. I strongly believe Africa’s future won’t only depend on economics or infrastructure, but also on the emotional and psychological health of its people.
At the heart of everything I do is one question: how do we help Africans think better, build better, and lead better?
TAD: Before the strategist the world knows today, who was young Nosa?
NTO: Young Nosa was very curious and observant.
I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and Lagos teaches you resilience, adaptability, and how to understand people and environments. But a lot of my foundation came from home. Both my parents were pastors, so discipline, structure, and values were a big part of how we were raised.
My father had a strong influence on me. He was always punctual, believed deeply in excellence, and consistency. One thing he always told us was never to rely on just one source of income because if that source fails, everything can collapse with it.
At the time, it sounded like simple financial advice, but looking back, it shaped how I think about systems, leverage, and long-term positioning today.
TAD: What early experiences or struggles had the greatest impact on the man you became?
NTO: A few things really shaped me.
The first was the standard my father set. Excellence wasn’t optional in our home. It was expected. It wasn’t always easy growing up under that kind of discipline, but I’m grateful for it now because it trained me not to settle.
Another major lesson came from an early business partnership with friends. I was heavily invested emotionally, financially, and mentally in what we were building, but over time it became obvious that we didn’t all share the same values or long-term vision. Eventually the partnership ended, and that experience taught me a lot about alignment, discernment, and the importance of building with people who are genuinely committed to the same direction.
TAD: What was the hardest season of your entrepreneurial journey that people never saw publicly?
NTO: Probably the accumulation of failed businesses and broken partnerships.
It wasn’t just one setback. It was multiple seasons of investing time, money, energy, and belief into things that didn’t work out.
Some failures came from external factors. Others came from misalignment between the people involved.
What people don’t often see is the emotional and mental weight that comes with rebuilding quietly while still showing up confidently in public.
But those experiences sharpened my discernment. They taught me to be more intentional about who I build with, what I commit to, and how alignment should be assessed before entering partnerships.
TAD: How would you describe the philosophy that guides your thinking and decision-making?
NTO: One phrase I come back to often is: clarity before speed.
A lot of people move quickly without fully understanding where they’re going or why they started in the first place.
For me, good decision-making starts with understanding yourself, understanding the environment you’re operating in, and understanding the people around you.
I also believe strongly in intentional positioning. Not every opportunity is meant for you, and knowing what not to pursue is just as important as knowing what to build.
TAD: What do you think most Africans misunderstand about success and wealth creation?
NTO: I think many people see success as something accidental.
People often assume successful individuals were simply lucky or connected, but in reality, success is usually the result of consistent habits, discipline, and long-term thinking.
On wealth creation, I think too many people focus only on income instead of leverage.
The real question is: how do you build systems, assets, and opportunities that continue creating value beyond your direct effort?
That was one of the biggest lessons my father taught me growing up: never depend entirely on one stream of income.
Wealth grows when you learn how to multiply your output beyond your physical presence.
See more of Mr. Nosa Tunde-Oni’s articles and insightful materials on his website www.nosatundeoni.com
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