Sometimes we worry about the next generation. Are they up to the task? Will they lead and inspire? Most of us have heard something similar from our elders!
A few years ago, I met a young man.
He was humble and very sharp. He introduced himself as Rabiu Olowo. I was very impressed by his achievements at such a young age and his vision, where he wanted to go – and take others. A sense of service and civic responsibility. So, when I was invited to deliver the keynote speech at his 40th birthday celebration, I did not hesitate.
He chose to mark his milestone with impact, launching the Rabiu Olowo Foundation, to support sickle cell survivors and amplify awareness of that condition. This the true mark of leadership: using your influence, your success, to uplift others.
At just 40, Rabiu has already achieved what many strive for in a lifetime. A first-class graduate, an accomplished professional in both the private and public sectors, a former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State at 35, and now the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria. And today, a philanthropist, making a difference in the healthcare space.
He reminds me so much of when I founded the Tony Elumelu Foundation at the age of 47, driven by the desire to democratise opportunity for African entrepreneurs. Through our TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, we have empowered over 24,000 entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries with funding, training, and mentorship. These entrepreneurs have gone on to create jobs, solve local problems, and extend this impact into their communities. But Rabiu is starting even earlier! And that is the kind of intergenerational succession of impact we want to see more of in Africa.
What makes his journey even more compelling is the deeply personal mission behind his Foundation. Rabiu lives with sickle cell disease, a condition that silently challenges millions of Nigerians every day. That he has not only thrived despite it, but now seeks to empower others through education, awareness, and access to care, is nothing short of extraordinary.
In Nigeria, over 150,000 children are born with sickle cell each year, and millions live with the disease without adequate healthcare or support. The statistics are staggering, but worse still is the human cost, lives cut short, dreams deferred, and families burdened. Our healthcare system, while filled with committed professionals, still struggles to provide the quality, accessibility, and affordability that so many Nigerians need, especially those living with chronic conditions like sickle cell.
That is why I deeply resonate with Rabiu’s mission. At Heirs Holdings, we are also committed to healthcare transformation. Through our investments in Avon HMO and Avon Medical, we are working to make healthcare accessible and affordable to Nigerians. We believe that health is wealth, and no one should be denied the chance to live a full and productive life because of where they were born or how much they earn.
Rabiu’s initiative is a call: to government, to the private sector, and to all of us with influence and means: to act, to give, and to build institutions that outlive us. Philanthropy is not just about charity; it is about nation-building.
Rabiu, your Foundation will touch lives. You are walking the talk. Your humility, focus, and drive remind me so much of the values I hold dear. And, as I was told when I became a bank branch manager at 26, “If you succeed, you open doors for others.”
Congratulations on your 40th birthday.
