Nigeria At 81, Stella Okoli Builds ₦35bn Factory, Backing Nigeria’s Future as Young Talent ‘Japa’

At a time when many young Nigerians are leaving the country, Dr. Stella Okoli is investing even more in it. Despite the odds, her ₦35 billion pharmaceutical factory in Ogun State reflects a rare conviction in Nigeria’s potential.

KEY POINTS

• The new facility will manufacture essential pharmaceutical ingredients, reducing import dependency.
• Okoli’s move contrasts sharply with ongoing youth emigration and rising pessimism about Nigeria’s economy.
• Governor Soludo called the project a bold message to those doubting Nigeria’s capacity for renewal.

While younger professionals plot their exit, Okoli is building long-term infrastructure at home. Her story challenges prevailing narratives and affirms that faith in Nigeria isn't just sentimental—it can be strategic, even visionary.

Can her example shift mindsets or policy focus? As ‘japa’ becomes a generation’s default plan, who are the few choosing to plant—and what will their legacy mean for those who stay?