Serial entrepreneur Attah’ebwa Anzaku Reflects on overcoming struggles, building brands that transcends generation

Attah’ebwa Musa Anzaku, a Nigerian entrepreneur and co-founder of Agroeknor, has become a leading figure in Nigeria’s agribusiness sector. Born and raised in Jos, Nigeria, his early years were marked by strong parental support that shaped his journey into entrepreneurship.

In an exclusive interview, Attah’ebwa shared his educational background and entrepreneurial inspirations. “I was fortunate to receive unwavering support and encouragement from my parents,” he said. “They were both shrewd businesspeople, and their drive and resilience have always inspired me.”

Attah’ebwa’s academic journey began in Jos, where he completed his primary and secondary education before pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering at Covenant University. His thirst for knowledge led him to the University of Salford in the United Kingdom, where he earned a Master’s degree in Gas Engineering and Management.

Though his initial aspirations were focused on securing a job in the oil and gas sector, his entrepreneurial spirit was ignited during his university years. “My father believed that the future would be shaped by innovative ideas, not solely by connections,” he recalled. This insight motivated him to co-found Agroeknor in 2013, alongside Timilehin Oke and Ayomide Oke, with a shared vision of building a sustainable Nigerian brand.

Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Attah’ebwa credits his success to the valuable lessons learned along the way. “The right partners are essential—they are the engines that propel a business forward,” he said. He emphasized the importance of taking quick action when inspiration strikes and the power of resilience in overcoming challenges.

Since its inception, Agroeknor has reached several key milestones, including securing $2 million in seed funding, getting the 5B commercial paper issuance, expanding its value chain through initiatives like the FEEP farmers’ empowerment program, and developing “Yield Pro,” a software tool to optimize land use for farmers. The company also built a state-of-the-art agricultural fumigation chamber capable of processing 400 tons of agricultural products per month.

However, the path to success has not been without its challenges. “It can be incredibly demanding to constantly prove yourself, especially as a young entrepreneur in Nigeria,” Attah’ebwa explained. Despite these hurdles, he finds pride in seeing his ideas come to life, describing his greatest achievement as “the satisfaction of seeing my visions materialize into reality.”

In addition to his business accomplishments, Attah’ebwa is also committed to social causes through the FEEP foundation, which empowers smallholder farmers by providing free agricultural support services, helping them achieve higher yields and better market prices for their produce.

Attah’ebwa draws inspiration from various sources, including the books “My Entrepreneurial Journey by Austin AvuruThe Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel and The Algebra of Wealth by Scott Galloway. A quote by the philosopher Heraclitus deeply resonates with him: “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man,” reminding him of the importance of embracing change and continuous growth.

As he continues to lead Agroeknor towards greater success, Attah’ebwa’s journey serves as a powerful example of how resilience, vision, and the right partnerships can turn challenges into opportunities for growth.