By Lilian U. Okoro
Most people start thinking about business in their 20s.
However, for Adekoya Ezekiel, the journey started back in his secondary school days, in Junior Secondary School (JSS2).
Today, at just the age of 22, he’s the Owner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Adeze Footwear Ltd., a Lagos-based leather-making outfit, and an employer of labour since eight years ago.
But this success didn’t happen overnight. It came from years of learning, failing, building, commitment and believing.
At a Woman of Substance (WOS) conference in Lagos, held to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026, Adeze Footwear was seen occupying an exhibition stand, showcasing and selling its handiworks.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ezekiel recalled how a classmate inspired him to go into the business.
He narrated that the classmate was sewing his own shoe, while he developed interest and asked him how one could make such shoes.
He added that his then classmate, patiently put him through on how to make the shoes, and afterward, he developed more interest and commitment, and he decided to properly go learn the vocation.
Today, Ezekiel not only owns a footwear manufacturing outfit, but also has a good number of young Nigerian youths who work under him and earn wages.
According to Ezekeil, Adeze Footwear currently produces a lot of quality leather Nigeria-made products including, shoes, pam sandals and slippers, bracelets, sandals, belts, among others.
“It all started when I was in JSS 2 to be precise; one of my classmates was sewing his shoes, and I asked how one can do it, to which he patiently put me through and from there, I got it.
“After then, I felt like I want to properly learn this, and I went into it, and I found out it’s something good.
“Now, I am trying to renovate, expand and make it greater. I am trying to ensure that people get to understand that Nigeria footwear is the best footwear one can get because they are made of leather.
“Actually, I started the business like eight years ago, and I am now 22 years old,” he said.
Shedding light on source of the capital to startup the business, Ezekiel identified funding as a major challenge, limiting some of his projects and plans.
He narrated how he worked in few companies as a factory worker.
“I have worked with the World Record Footwear; we brought it to live.
“I have also worked with one or two factories here in Lagos, through which I sourced the fund/capital to startup Adeze Footwear eight years ago.”
Still aspiring to expand the business further, Ezekiel stated that he resolved to focus on “value and quality”, which he said have given him an edge and added advantage in the business.
He added that with ‘value and quality’ in view, all products of Adeze Footwear gave the desired value, and as a result, people now demanded for the products because they got value for their payment.
According to him, all the proposals/quotations he sent out since 2025 has been receiving positive attention and response, as a lot of people including schools, organisations and individuals now place orders.
“I get to realise that value and quality drive business and its outcome.
“People now get value for the money they spend on my products. Since last year, all the proposals we sent out have been receiving due response.
“Presently, I have a project I am working on; I am making customised school shoes for different schools.
“I have this unrelenting spirit of actualising whatever I set to do and doing it with the best of ability.
“I also like making life favourable for people, so, the shoes and all other products of Adeze Footwear are very affordable for people to easily buy,” Ezekiel said.
The young entrepreneur explained that he had some young Nigerian youths who were working under him, learning the skills and he paid them a stipend at the end of the month, just to encourage them.
Considering the economy situation, which had not been favourable for young entrepreneurs to thrive, Ezekiel said on completion of the skill acquisition, he normally gave a little amount of money, sometimes N40,000, to encourage the person start up his/her own business.
He, however, called on the Nigerian government to create an enabling environment for youths to learn vocational skills and subsequently support and empower them with the needed startup capital.
Ezekiel, who identified skills acquisition as key to survival and successful life, advised that every Nigerian youth should endeavour to learn a skill in addition to whatever educational qualification the person might have.
“Capital to start a business is usually a big challenge for most young entrepreneurs.
“Let the government intensify efforts to not only create an enabling environment for Nigerian youths to learn vocational skills, but also empower and support them.
“Empowering entails providing them with the needed fund to setup their own business on completion of the skill acquisition programme.
“As a youth, ensure you learn a handwork or skill; it is key to success in life,” Ezekiel advised.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
