The 7th edition of the Mentor Matchup Challenge opened today at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, drawing entrepreneurs, business leaders, and emerging innovators to this year’s theme, “Building Bridges for Equitable Trade.”
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso, Group Chairman of CAADES Group of Companies Ltd, commended the organisers for transforming the programme from a modest initiative into one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for mentorship and enterprise development.
Dr. Anyaso began his remarks with an emotional reflection on the early beginnings of the Mentor Matchup Challenge, recalling the first edition held in a small room on Lagos Island with only a handful of participants but an abundance of passion and commitment.
He celebrated the remarkable growth of the programme and attributed its success to the vision and resilience of its founder, Mrs. Ezinne Nwazulu, whom he described as a young woman who believed in her dream and pursued it with unwavering determination.
Delivering his keynote titled “The CAADES Story: Building Success Through People, Purpose, and Partnerships,” Dr. Anyaso offered deep insight into his entrepreneurial journey, which began at age 26 when he ventured into the capital-intensive and competitive oil and gas sector.
He explained that his rise in the industry was anchored on three pillars: the quality of people who supported him, a clearly defined sense of purpose, and strategic partnerships that opened critical opportunities.
Speaking about the role of people in enterprise building, he credited mentors whose guidance shaped his early career. He acknowledged his first employer, Mr. IK Okolo, who supported him during his NYSC year and provided valuable exposure to key industry networks.
He also recognized the influence of Mr. Walter Wagbatsoma, who offered financial and advisory support during the early formation of Caades Oil and Gas.
Dr. Anyaso further praised his elder sister, Barrister Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma, describing her as a guardian angel whose wisdom and encouragement helped chart his path in the energy sector.
Dr. Anyaso emphasized that Caades Oil and Gas was founded in 2006 with a clear purpose driven by the need to solve systemic inefficiencies in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry.
He noted that erratic supply, logistical constraints, and structural bottlenecks created frequent disruptions in product availability.
Determined to address these gaps, he invested years of study in understanding product importation, allocation structures, coastal and inland supply chains, procurement models, and seasonal market volatility.
This deep sector knowledge positioned Caades to deliver reliable supply solutions across the distribution value chain.
He further explained that building strong partnerships was fundamental to overcoming early limitations. With limited resources and a competitive landscape dominated by established players, Caades relied on strategic alliances with depot managers, product importers, midstream companies, marine logistics operators, financiers, and government agencies.
These collaborations secured early access to products, reduced risks, and ensured operational efficiency. Dr. Anyaso emphasized that rather than competing against the existing system, Caades integrated itself into the system until it became an indispensable player in the downstream sector.
Reflecting on the evolution of the business into the diversified CAADES Group, he shared key lessons on building and managing multiple ventures across sectors such as energy, real estate, and hospitality.
He cautioned that diversification must be intentional and strategy-driven, guided by the ability to add value and leverage existing strengths.
He also stressed that systems and governance are the foundation of sustainable growth, explaining that while people spark vision, it is structure that preserves the vision long after individuals move on.
He underscored that talent remains the most valuable asset of any multi-sector enterprise. According to him, the strength of a group lies in its ability to recruit competent managers, nurture young talented professionals, empower teams, and build a disciplined leadership culture.
He noted that a CEO cannot personally run every arm of a growing conglomerate, making leadership development a critical priority.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Anyaso urged participants to embrace mentorship, discipline, and long-term thinking. He highlighted mentorship as a powerful tool for reducing mistakes and expanding opportunities.
He reminded young entrepreneurs that discipline is the bridge between vision and achievement and that sustainable success requires patience, resilience, and a commitment to values that outlive the founder.
He advised them not to pursue shortcuts, but instead invest in relationships, knowledge, and systems that ensure continuity.
Dr. Anyaso expressed gratitude to the organisers, participants, and partners and wished all attendees success as the 7th Mentor Matchup Challenge continues.
