When Enterprise Becomes a Target: The Quiet Persecution of Entrepreneurs in Nigeria
By Cecil Osakwe Nigeria often celebrates entrepreneurship in theory, policy speeches, economic blueprints, and investment summits, all of which highlight the private sector as the engine of growth. Yet, in practice, many entrepreneurs face a far more hostile reality: one where success can attract scrutiny, intimidation, and, in some cases, prolonged legal battles that feel less like justice and more like punishment. Across sectors, from real estate to manufacturing to fintech, there is a recurring pattern that cannot be ignored. Entrepreneurs find themselves entangled in legal disputes that stretch on for years, driven by allegations that are often weak, exaggerated, or deeply contested. These cases rarely move with urgency. Instead, they lingered, adjourned repeatedly, delayed procedurally, and sometimes weaponized strategically. The Pattern of Pressure At the heart of the issue is a troubling intersection of power, bureaucracy, and weak institutional accountability. Entrepreneu...
