The power of conviction

Let’s be honest: running a startup in Africa, let alone Nigeria, is brutal.

When you wake up every day, you must be prepared for the new hurdle you are about to face, from access to capital to navigating government policies and infrastructural challenges. But through all these, resilience becomes your best friend, your better half even.

Resilience is the trait that keeps you moving forward, even when the odds are stacked against you. It’s knowing that failure and adapting to it are part of the process.

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from failure; it’s about learning from it.

Every time your startup faces a challenge, your ability to adapt, evolve, and push forward will determine how far you go. In other words, when Nigeria knocks you to the ground, resilience is the hand that picks you back up.

However, according to Chikodi, resilience can also be a blocker. Don’t be so resilient that you don't consider other ways to reach your final destination. Don’t allow resilience keep you on a path you should no longer be on.

“That's why I said resilience sometimes can be a blocker. I mean, we all see how entrepreneurs can be super laser-focused on a particular thing. And the customers are telling them otherwise. The market is telling them otherwise. Their employees are telling them otherwise. Investors are telling them otherwise. Regulators are telling them otherwise. But they don’t listen. And sometimes it pays off, most times it doesn't.”

In comes resilience

Let’s be honest: running a startup in Africa, let alone Nigeria, is brutal. When you wake up every day, you must be prepared for the new hurdle you are about to face, from access to capital to navigating government policies and infrastructural challenges. But through all these, resilience becomes your best friend, your better half even.

Resilience is the trait that keeps you moving forward, even when the odds are stacked against you. It’s knowing that failure and adapting to it are part of the process. Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from failure; it’s about learning from it.

Every time your startup faces a challenge, your ability to adapt, evolve, and push forward will determine how far you go. In other words, when Nigeria knocks you to the ground, resilience is the hand that picks you back up.

However, according to Chikodi, resilience can also be a blocker. Don’t be so resilient that you don't consider other ways to reach your final destination. Don’t allow resilience keep you on a path you should no longer be on.

“That's why I said resilience sometimes can be a blocker. I mean, we all see how entrepreneurs can be super laser-focused on a particular thing. And the customers are telling them otherwise. The market is telling them otherwise.

Their employees are telling them otherwise. Investors are telling them otherwise. Regulators are telling them otherwise. But they don’t listen. And sometimes it pays off, most times it doesn't.”

Conviction vs. resilience: which do you need more?

Let’s step back and explore how conviction and resilience work together. The truth is, they’re like two sides of the same coin.

For example, if you launch your startup with the conviction that you’re solving a major problem—say, providing clean energy solutions in rural Nigeria. You’ve spent months perfecting your product, and finally, you launch.

But the market isn’t as receptive as you thought. Maybe the price is too high for your target customers, or the infrastructure needed to support your solution isn’t there yet. What do you do?

If all you have is resilience, you might dig in your heels, refusing to accept feedback and doubling down on a model that isn’t working. But if you have conviction too, you’ll take that setback, learn from it, and pivot.

Because your conviction is rooted in the problem you are trying to solve, not simply in a particular path to solving it. You’ll adjust your pricing, maybe look for alternative distribution channels, or find a way to collaborate with local communities to make the product more accessible.

Chikodi notes, “So resilience is also good because obviously, even if you have a strong conviction, you are still going to take some hits, but conviction is refreshable in that you continue to refresh your conviction and continue to do your research, and you are continuously convinced that the direction you’re going is the right way to go.”

Building conviction and resilience

So, how do you build conviction and resilience as a startup founder?

Stay committed, but be adaptable: You need to believe in your mission, but you also have to be open to feedback. If the market or your customers tell you something’s not working, listen. Staying rigid in the face of change is how startups fail. So, instead of being rigid, treat pivots as training in leadership.

Learn from setbacks: In the African business environment, setbacks are inevitable. Whether it’s funding challenges, slow internet, or inconsistent power supply, you will face obstacles. The key is how you respond. If a plan doesn’t work, it’s not the end—try again from a different angle.

Build a support system: Many Nigerian founders have learned the importance of having a network to lean on. Whether it’s a mentor, a fellow entrepreneur, or a local startup community, having people who understand your challenges can make all the difference when you’re facing tough times.

Keep the bigger picture in mind: It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day grind, but resilience often comes from remembering why you started in the first place. When the going gets tough, reconnect with your mission and remind yourself of the impact you’re working towards. Whether it’s solving logistics challenges or improving access to healthcare, your “why” can fuel your conviction and resilience.