Transitioning from a technology enthusiast to a front-line business leader could be difficult. Allow me to introduce myself, Ugi Augustine Ugi Jnr, the driving force behind what we do at Nugi, spearheading the evolution of technology development and adoption in Africa. My journey in technology began seventeen years ago when I delved into e-commerce and HTML classes. The spark of my tech fascination ignited in 2003 when I first laid hands on a computer, experiencing the thrill of accessing a system and creating an email. Despite this burgeoning interest, I had initially set my sights on pursuing a career in medicine and surgery.

The first decade of my professional life was an immersive dive into all things tech — from relentless learning and extensive research to practical applications in business and social contexts. Whether it involved building websites or devising solutions for internet challenges, I dedicated substantial time to acquiring knowledge. By 2009, I had ventured into script-writing using PHP and Java-script, earning a few thousand bucks by developing websites for educational institutions and places of worship. However, my hunger for more persisted, driven by the awareness that a more extensive canvas awaited my vision.

Whether it involved building websites or devising solutions for internet challenges, I dedicated substantial time to acquiring knowledge.


Pursuing broader horizons, I took on an unpaid internship with a networking company. During this internship, I explored the world of online shopping for clients, supplementing my income and saving up for university. My next challenge materialised as a consulting software engineer with a company specialising in institutional portal management. I embraced many roles here — from business development and human resources to company secretary and strategic technology growth planner. Beyond developing solutions with a small team, I expanded my skill set and contacts by accepting diverse responsibilities and stepping out of my comfort zone. This approach nurtured new skills and valuable connections.

As a technology solutions provider consultant, I wielded an influential “enabling” role that exposed me to numerous individuals. In today’s business landscape, technology plays a pivotal role in achieving desired outcomes, and I had a front-row seat to observe many leaders and comprehend the intricacies of their businesses. My knowledge deepened as I reviewed emails from other companies to us, forging significant acquaintances through several email threads I had access to.

My versatility and inclination to transcend job descriptions opened doors to many opportunities and primed me for entrepreneurship. At one point, I fielded over 200 calls daily, answered text messages and WhatsApp inquiries, and worked closely with the CEO, providing valuable tech assistance. I analysed the factors influencing profitability, safety, and employee morale, identified inefficiencies, and charted a course for improvement. Taking these insights back to my IT team and collaborating to implement concrete solutions fostered trust and respect.

In 2016, I embarked on founding Nugi Technologies Nigeria Limited, equipped with the wisdom gained through diverse experiences, effective team management, and a profound understanding of the intricate web of business and technology. However, that same year, I encountered a devastating setback — a resounding failure that spelt the end of our initial surge to prominence. Despite securing approvals from the Cross River State government to develop governance solutions and drive revenue generation, we faced insurmountable challenges that led to the company’s decline, culminating in losing over 80% of our workforce, dwindling from 18 staff members to just 5.

My time at university served as a crucial preparation ground for understanding corporate strategy. During 2013–2014, I dedicated months to studying the corporate strategies of industry giants such as Apple, BBC, and Microsoft. This research deepened my insight into how these three companies meticulously crafted strategies that led to their long-term sustainability.

With this wealth of knowledge and a resolute mission to collaborate with organisations in solving problems, particularly those I had personally encountered within the government sector, I embarked on a journey to develop revenue solutions. Our inaugural client in 2016 was the Cross River State Government. Despite our considerable investment in the initial stages, an unexpected twist came when the governor requested that we discontinue our efforts. This abrupt decision plunged us into a crisis of monumental proportions. Faced with an alarming depletion of our capital and workforce, we stood at a precipice.

In the face of these daunting challenges, I resorted to selling some of my possessions, including my car, and secured a short-term debt to keep the ship afloat. This resilience and unyielding commitment carried us through until 2017. By this point, we had not only survived but thrived. Our client base expanded, and our revenue doubled in 2018, followed by a remarkable tripling in 2019.

Our initial setback became the driving force behind the progress we continued to achieve. Then came the pivotal moment when we made a bold decision that would redefine our trajectory. We relocated our entire team and operations to Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria and Africa. This move was both audacious and risky. Did we possess the financial resources to sustain operations in such a metropolis? The resounding answer was “no.” Despite the formidable odds, we took the plunge, investing over 60 million Naira to establish our presence. We secured a 22-room building in the heart of Lekki, Lagos, housing every dedicated member of our team who joined us on this audacious journey.

2019 presented a bittersweet experience for me. While fervently working to establish Nugi as a beacon of success, I was locked in a battle against sickle cell crises. Adapting to the demands of a new environment was already a monumental task, and Lagos, with all its promises of opportunities and rewards, came with its own set of challenges. The mosquitoes in Lagos seemed like giant dinosaurs; the polluted air offered myriad challenges, and my already compromised immune system left me vulnerable. I fell ill more frequently and made countless visits to the hospital.

By December 2019, I was grappling with self-doubt, and a significant portion of the people around me held reservations about my abilities. That month, I deeply introspected, wondering what might have transpired if we had stayed in Calabar.
The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further cast a shadow of uncertainty over our aspirations. The government’s restrictions on movement dealt a heavy blow, making it virtually impossible to meet potential clients or market our services. However, there was one aspect where we excelled during the chaos of COVID-19: our unwavering support for our staff.

In the face of financial constraints, we decided to stand by our team. Beyond ensuring everyone received their salaries, we also provided food and essential supplies to every staff member. While many top companies slashed their employees’ wages in half, Nugi remained steadfast, and this is something I hold as a source of great pride.
The turbulent year of 2020 tested our resolve but reaffirmed our commitment to our values, our people, and our pursuit of excellence.

I found myself making pivotal decisions that propelled our company to remarkable growth. Transitioning from a technical background, without the conventional MBA, I assumed the role of a front-line business executive, leading a dynamic group of over 80 core team members and more than 100 contract staff, all crucial to our operations.


We started as a small family, navigated through tribal and village stages of growth, and now find ourselves firmly rooted in the bustling city of business. My confidence in our mission and the positive impact we continue to deliver is relentless. We specialise in providing digital adoption strategies for our clients and shaping the workforce of tomorrow. Astonishingly, we have arrived precisely where I envisioned us eight years ago..

My Family