Governance expert advocates smart hustle, ethics over shortcuts

 Mr Ayokunle Ayoko, Corporate Governance expert, has urged youths to embrace smart hustle, ethical leadership and discipline as pathways to career success and financial stability in a challenging economy.

Ayoko made the call in an interview at the unveiling of his six new books on Friday night in Lagos.

The books are centered on leadership, governance, corporate strategy and wealth management, to guide professionals and young Nigerians on value-driven success.

He said the timing of the publication was deliberate and would help professionals and young people to navigate financial stress and institutional challenges.

“Take, for instance, the book on Small Habits, Big Wealth. It speaks of habits you can tweak to achieve massive impact on your finances, especially in the light of subsidy removal and inflation.

“At a time when people are facing financial strain, this book shows how small behavioural changes can lead to big financial rewards.

“It’s about financial discipline, focus, and the courage to adapt,” he added.

On youth development, Ayoko said his book, Smart Hustle, was a wake-up call to young people seeking success in an age of shortcuts and instant gratification.

“It teaches young people how to use limited resources to achieve maximum impact.

“Too often, people say they lack capital, but this book shows that the real capital is mindset and strategy.

“When we started Kaizen Academy, we didn’t have many resources, but with strategic thinking and persistence, it became a multinational firm.

“That’s the kind of resilience I want young people to embrace,” he said.

Ayoko, also the Company Secretary, Head of Legal and Chief Compliance Officer at CFAO Nigeria Ltd., said the governance-themed titles were written to strengthen professionalism and accountability across institutions.

According to him, these books will help improve the capacity of company secretaries, in-house counsels and governance professionals, and will strengthen the governance landscape in Nigeria.

“In the end, this is about equipping professionals to lead with integrity and make informed decisions that uplift their organisations and the economy,” Ayoko stated.

The event drew professionals from the legal, corporate and governance sectors.

They said the books provide timely insights for both individuals and institutions, describing it as tools for personal transformation, professional excellence and ethical nation-building.

Mr Denis Martin, Managing Director of CFAO Mobility, described Ayoko as a professional whose work embodied empathy, discipline and truth.

Martin added that the books offered an alternative to rigid formula leadership materials by focusing on human values.

“Many strategy books are rigid, full of formulas.

“But I expect these books to be different and to focus on human values and what empathy can bring to business.

“Success isn’t about applying recipes; it’s about connecting with people and being real,” he added.

Mrs Uto Ukpanah, President, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), said the books would be vital tools for both young professionals and seasoned administrators.

“As a professional body, we need to keep building a knowledge-based pool of resources, and what he has done adds significant value.

“He has written on subjects that are very relevant from company secretarial practice, wealth creation, and making sound life choices.

“These works align perfectly with ICSAN’s ethos of corporate governance, ethics and accountability,” she added.

Mr Gbenga Oyebode, Chairman of CFAO Nigeria, described Ayoko’s works as timely and relevant in promoting professional excellence and good governance.

He emphasised leadership, focus and ethics as guiding principles for a successful career.

“Whether you’re a company secretary or general counsel, the underlying message across all six books is leadership, focus, and excellence in governance.

“Good governance, proper behaviour and global standards are universal. These books are for every Nigerian who cares about professional integrity and national development,” he added.

In the same vein, Mrs Cecilia Akintomide, Corporate governance expert, said Ayoko’s book clarifies misconceptions, simplifies complex regulations, and highlights the evolving, often undervalued role of company secretaries.