In a compelling address that blended personal experience with strategic insight, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd. (NIGCOMSAT), Jane Egerton-Idehen, delivered a powerful message to graduates of the inaugural Women and Career EdTech Fellowship Program.
Drawing from years of experience across Africa’s technology and business ecosystem, Egerton-Idehen provided a candid reflection on her entrepreneurial journey — a journey marked by both setbacks and significant achievements. She revealed that she has founded startups that never progressed beyond registration, others that pivoted in response to market realities, and ventures that successfully scaled, generated revenue, and expanded before she eventually moved on.
Speaking to the fellows, she emphasized that true entrepreneurial wisdom is often earned on the field, not in classrooms or accelerator halls. She then shared four key lessons she wished she had known at the start of her journey — lessons she believes every aspiring founder must embrace.
1. Success Is Not Guaranteed — It Must Be Earned Continuously
Egerton-Idehen reminded the new founders that while completing an accelerator program is commendable, celebrations do not translate to market success.
“The market doesn’t owe you success,” she stated. “It doesn’t care about your pitch decks, mentors, or demo-day applause. Only value and execution count.”
She urged entrepreneurs to stay customer-focused, continuously test assumptions, iterate based on feedback, and prove their value through performance in real-world markets — in “people’s wallets, habits, and trust.”
2. Momentum Outweighs the Pursuit of Perfection
Highlighting a common trap for new founders, she warned against delaying launch in pursuit of flawlessness.
“In Nigeria’s unpredictable market, momentum is your greatest asset,” she advised.
Egerton-Idehen stressed that many ideas fail not because they aren’t good, but because founders hesitate too long. She encouraged the fellows to launch early versions, learn quickly, and evolve — reminding them that “version one is better than version none.”
3. Relationships and Reputation Are Critical Business Currency
The NIGCOMSAT CEO emphasized the power of networks, credibility, and goodwill in Nigeria’s tech and business ecosystem.
“In this space, doors open not only for the capable, but for the trusted,” she remarked.
She encouraged the graduates to nurture authentic relationships, honor commitments, and support others without expecting immediate returns. She also noted that Nigeria’s tech community is surprisingly interconnected, and leaders’ reputations often precede them.
4. Build Companies, Not Just Startups
Egerton-Idehen urged founders to shift from “hustler mode” to structured leadership as their businesses mature.
“A startup may run on energy, but a lasting company runs on systems,” she explained.
She highlighted the importance of governance, financial discipline, documentation, culture, and leadership development — factors crucial for sustainability and long-term relevance.
“Think legacy,” she advised. “Ask yourself: what happens to your company when you step out of the room?”
Celebrating Women in Technology & Future Leaders
The CEO commended the Women and Career organization for its dedication to empowering women in technology and career leadership. She described the fellowship graduates as part of a growing wave of female innovators positioned to transform Nigeria’s digital landscape.
“Graduating from an accelerator is not the finish line,” she declared. “It is where real acceleration begins. When applause fades and the real grind starts — that is where founders become legends.”
Egerton-Idehen encouraged ongoing collaboration, peer support, and lifelong learning among the fellows, reaffirming her commitment to mentoring and investing in emerging talent across Africa.
About the Program
The Women and Career EdTech Fellowship Program is designed to equip aspiring and emerging female entrepreneurs with digital skills, leadership training, and entrepreneurial education to advance their careers and build scalable impact-driven ventures. The inaugural cohort represents a milestone in expanding inclusion and innovation within Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.
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