Earlier this month, I opened a barbing salon and a laundromat—right in front of my house. Not a fancy plaza or some highbrow location. Just my street. And when someone saw it, they asked, 'Is there any business you don't do?'

I laughed, but the truth is simple: I'll do any business I believe in. If I can add value and make an impact—whether it's a small hustle or a big project—I'm game.

I'm Not Too Big for Any Business

One of the hard truths about living in a struggling society is that poverty is often invisible when you're inside it. You don't always realize how deep it runs—until you start to rise above it. And even when you begin to earn more, it's easy to get caught up in the illusion of 'making it,' without seeing the bigger picture.

That illusion often makes people feel 'too big' for certain types of work. We look down on some ventures, not because they're unworthy, but because we've been conditioned to believe we're supposed to have 'moved past' them.

But I see things differently.

A Salon Without Light? Welcome to Reality

Recently, I was sharing with someone how it's now become normal in many parts of Ibadan (and across Nigeria) for barbing salons to operate without generators—even when customers come in. Why? They charge so little for haircuts, just to stay competitive, that there's barely any profit—definitely not enough to fuel a generator.

So most barbers now rely on rechargeable clippers, and customers just have to bear the heat, sweat, and discomfort while getting their hair cut.

But it wasn't always like this. I remember when salons had fans, TVs, and even air conditioners. Getting a haircut used to be something you looked forward to—not just endured. But those days are gone for many.

Now, unless you're at a salon inside a mall or an expensive location, comfort is a luxury you can't expect.

So I Decided to Do Something About It

Last year, I started thinking: what if we could bring back that comfort—right here, in the neighborhood? What if a regular street-side salon could feel premium again?

I already had access to reliable electricity, so I knew power wouldn't be an issue. I imagined a space with AC, a clean and serene atmosphere, and a level of service that makes people feel human again—not just like another rushed customer.

This month, that idea came to life.

A Better Use of Money

Now, my street has a salon that's properly conditioned, professionally run, and welcoming. The laundromat adds even more value to the community.

And to be honest, I think this is a better use of my money than locking it up in things like CBEX or watching it sit idle.

If I can create jobs, offer people comfort, and still make a profit—why not?

So yes, I'll do as many businesses as I can. As long as I can touch lives, solve problems, and grow something meaningful—I'm in.

Self-esteem and self-worth is the most financially valuable thing any human can hold. 10+ years before anyone paid me $100 per hour for a job, I have always boasted that my time is worth at least $100 per hour. That anything I am doing that doesn't earn me at least $100 an hour is either a waste of my time or it's me doing someone a favor. That was my truth, though I didn't have the money or the substance to justify it.

So, how did I earn my first $100 per hour?

A client (through a contact of mine) asked me how much I want to charge them for an ongoing project, I said I would like them to give me an offer. They insisted I give them a proposal, I said 'well, my rate is $100 per hour but I expect you to give me an offer'. He laughed. And sent me a link to Upwork list of Nigerians doing what I do; where leading professionals were charging $10 - $25 per hour. That was my first time on Upwork. I heard about Upwork before but I was never a fan of marketplace business. It seem like I enjoyed the stress of looking for customers myself.

So on that day, I went over Upwork and I see that it appears to be the kind of platform where I should be. I saw that a lot of Nigerians have been successful on it. I signed up and created a profile. Guess what I set as my rate? You guessed right, $100 per hour. Roughly 30 days after, a client had hired me and paid me $100 per hour for a project that earned me about $4000 within a week. 

After a couple weeks, I wrote the client that sent me the link of professionals on Upwork and I thanked him for being God-sent to me. Of course, I told him he was the one that guided me to where I would earn my first $100 per hour. After then, I had varied my rates to fit my availability but no one could gaslight me into ever believing that I am not worth all the good things I dream about for myself. 

Today that people are comfortable to pay me over $100 per hour, I know it for sure that the mind is the only ceiling of a man.

How did I arrive at $100 per hour rate about 10 years ago. I assessed myself and my hot skills and I went on Google to research how much people who have the kind of skills and experience I have earn. I found it was between $50 to $100. Knowing how good I am at what I do, I personally decided to choose the upper limit as my own starting point. 

Today, wouldn't you rather research your worth and let it guide your journey?

This is long overdue. A hearty appreciation for the support I enjoyed while I went all out to contest for the highest political seat in Nigeria. 

My vision for Nigeria is that which will one day bring us all pride - when our justice system becomes strengthened and when it bring riches and prosperity to Nigerians. It appears this vision won't be actualized in 2023 but one day soon, we shall overcome. 

Meanwhile, I have zero regrets for running for President at this time and I appreciate everyone that encouraged me and supported me. Of course I and my team have picked up some valuable lessons on the journey and we are preparing to employ them to pursue this vision better next time with renewed rigor and strength.

Some were surprised when I came out at first. But people that know me know I usually have no reservation when it comes to pursuing my god-given dreams and visions.  It is my hope that my boldness will inspire as many other gifted Nigerians to never be ashamed to come out to pursue their dreams.

The jouney to be President in 2023 was one that projected me into full time active politics for 3 months from March to May 2022 and in those time, I have made new friends and have come to appreciate Nigeria more. My journeys took me to different places in Nigeria, exposing different cultures and people. I want to appreciate everyone who came out for me, people who gave their resources and people who redeemed their pledges to my campaign. God will continue to replenish us. 

In the month of June 2022, I took a break to rest and reflect on the outcome of my journey. Now, I am back to my work in the Tech Space and will also continue to do politics on the side. 

What is next on 2023

I remain committed to my party - the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and in ensuring that our candidates emerge in the forthcoming elections. I'll be supporting all our candidates in any capacity I have and I would be supporting some other people also that I believe in their vision for Nigeria. 

My petition to the Federal High Court also continues and I hope it will bring some clarity to our electoral system and help more Nigerians participate in politics.

My appeal to Nigerians is that everyone of us should do more in participating in politics and governance. Democracy works for the people only when majority of the people are involved in it. 

Let's get our PVC. Let's vote. Let's join a political party and be involved in how candidates emerge. If we (especially the educated and more informed of us) do this, I am certain our nation will be better for it. Anyone who is interested in joining our political party should contact me. I am willing to mentor and guide as many people as possible at this time. 

Once again, I want to thank you for supporting me. 

God bless Nigeria and God bless you too. 

Ayoola Falola
Nigeria 2023 Presidential Aspirant

I congratulate Atiku Abubakar on coming victorious in the Presidential primaries 2022 of our party - PDP. I believe he mean well for Nigerians.

I salute his tenacity and the courage by which he pursues his vision. 

While I believe I represent a better future for Nigeria, I admit he is equally a worthy opposition in the present Nigerian polity. I am particularly optimistic about how he could turn around the mess in our justice system and revive our economy. For the sake of the future generations, I can only hope he shares my passion on these.

Meanwhile, my resolve to get justice is not aimed at him but at the established system that enshrines oligarchy which Alh. Abubakar is only fortunate to be a beneficiary of today.

Today is the start of the PDP Presidential convention and the party presidential primaries, but unfortunately, as some of us may have known, I would not be participating.

We've experienced some delay with the administration of our petition at the Federal High Court in Abuja. So as at last Wednesday, it was clear that there was no way we could get a relief from the judicial system that could get us to participate in the primaries.

Therefore, the window seem to have closed for us to use to machineries of our party PDP, to actualize for our vision for Nigeria in 2023. 

So, what is the next step?

As much as I am going to wait till the next couple of days to make some consultations and arrive at a decision, some things are already clear to me at this point.

1. That I remain committed to the party, PDP;
2. That I remain committed to getting justice on my petition to the full extents our laws permits. 

I appreciate everyone that has joined us on this journey and helped us one way or the other. I pray for more blessings and replenishments for us all. 

God bless Nigeria 🇳🇬 
Ayoola Falola

I really do not have a specific answer to give but an explanation that suggests that running for this office is itself a strategy on its own. I do have a vision for our society that bothers on how our society can be transformed to that which justice and equity isn't farfetched. In direct terms, I also hope to help harness the human resources in Nigeria so as to eradicate poverty in our population.

Certainly, this vision doesn't need the seat of the presidency to find expression. What it needs is an avenue or platform for policy creation and execution. So while consulting, we came up with a policy execution strategy document which could be adopted at the local, state and federal governments. The hope is that we could have the opportunity to serve in any of the government capacities either as the Chief Executive or as member of the cabinets. This means, we would be ready to provide solutions in any capacity or any expanse of the society whether it is local government, state, or federal government. What we were sure about is that, the vision requires an executive capacity to fly.

Meanwhile, there are only three political capacities for the executive. It is either you are the Chairman of a Local Government or Vice Chairman or Governor/Deputy or President/VP. Of course, you may as well be appointed into the cabinet, to serve in the executive. But you may only aspire to be the chief executive.

Furthermore, while consulting, we found out the Local Government elections; especially in Oyo State is still a sham. Only one man decides who become the local government chairman and deputy in all the states. Internal democracy in the major parties is faulted in a way that we realized we may not make much of an impact in the primaries. In the states, the story is similar; but our goal is to look for a platform to showcase our capacity freely to Nigerians, whether we win or otherwise, we wish to run a good campaign and learn along the way. I do not wish to be broken by the system; we hope to make the most impact with the time and resources available - making mistakes quickly and gathering enough knowledge to mend the edges. The goal eventually is to leave Nigeria as a better nation over to our children. This is not a battle I anticipate will end in 2023.

So if there was a more precise answer  to the question, it would be that - I did my research and I found that, running for the position of President offers a better strategy to achieving our aims and objectives than any of the other aspirations. Whether this is right or wrong is not for anyone to judge other than us to look out after the whole process and see if there was anything we could have done better. I hope people will observe more and offer support where they could at this point. This is not the time to keep reminding our aspirants what they could have gone for - any serious aspirants would have done their consultations before they put both their feet in the water.  They ultimately would have asked themselves these questions and they would have been confident that what they are doing is the best for the situation they are in. In my case, we have a Think Tank that worked tirelessly over the space of 2 years to formulate the strategy we are on right now. However this turns out, my vision for Nigeria remains the same.  I currently live in a country that is tagged as the poverty capital of the world; I don't want to hand the country over to my children the same way.

I encourage everyone to run for any position they like or aspire for. The executive needs the legislatures to function; they also need the judiciary to function.  Same way the federal government needs states, the states also needs the local government. Therefore, we need visionary people to rise up to take up positions at all these levels. Those capacities and spaces have different roles they play in the society and no one is a lesser position than the other - we shouldn't cajole people to go for positions to "test ground" like this is some game. These are people's lives and future we are talking about. People need to be intentional about what they are doing - not just to graduate from legislature to judiciary to executive. Meanwhile, there is no verified playbook for this thing, I welcome ideas. I just wish to share mine with this answer: that I am intentional about using any executive platform to drive home this vision of a just Nigeria.

God bless Nigeria.

Ayoola FALOLA.