By Monday Iyke Ojomah –
LAGOS — Renowned entrepreneur, hospitality executive and founder of Freesia Foodies, Chief Mrs. Adebukola Azeezat Laguda, popularly known as Madam Freesia, has been honoured with the 2026 African Game Changer Award and officially nominated for inclusion in the prestigious 2026 100 African Game Changers Compendium, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship, hospitality, real estate development, women empowerment and community impact.
The honour, presented by Fresh Facts Magazine in collaboration with the African Network for Accountability (ANFA), Ghana, celebrates exceptional African leaders whose innovation, integrity and transformational leadership continue to shape the continent’s future.
Speaking shortly after receiving the award and nomination letter, an elated Chief Mrs. Laguda described the recognition as both humbling and inspiring.
“I feel really good. Reading everything that was written about me in the citation is truly humbling. I sincerely appreciate this honour. Thank you very much,” she said.
During an exclusive interview with Fresh Facts Magazine, the entrepreneur shared the remarkable story behind her journey from a young girl fascinated by cooking to becoming one of Nigeria’s respected business leaders.
Introducing herself, she said:
“My name is Chief Mrs. Bukola Laguda. I’m honoured with the traditional title of Erelu in two kingdoms in Yorubaland, particularly in Abeokuta, where my family originates.”
She explained that she currently oversees Freesia Food and Services Limited, a company dedicated to making delicious African meals accessible both within Nigeria and internationally, while also leading Erelu Gbogbolowo, a fast-growing lifestyle and household products brand dealing in cookware, home essentials, children’s products and other multipurpose items supplied across the world.
According to her, entrepreneurship has remained a lifelong passion deeply rooted in childhood experiences.
“My grandmother loved cooking, and as early as six years old I already knew how to use a traditional grinding stone. That passion continued through secondary school, university and even after my National Youth Service,” she recalled.
Although she initially worked in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector after serving at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), she said her passion for food eventually redirected her life’s purpose.
“Food simply took the driver’s seat, and today I can confidently say I am fulfilling my purpose.”
Chief Mrs. Laguda disclosed that she officially ventured into business in 2013, describing the journey as challenging but immensely rewarding.
She revealed that her latest venture, Erelu Gbogbolowo, though less than a year old, has already recorded remarkable success by applying the same customer-centred business model that built Freesia Foodies into one of Lagos’ respected hospitality brands.
“Customer satisfaction remains our greatest strategy because satisfied customers naturally become returning customers,” she explained.
Navigating Economic Challenges
Like many Nigerian entrepreneurs, she acknowledged that inflation, fluctuating exchange rates and rising operating costs continue to impact businesses.
She particularly highlighted the increasing prices of food commodities, logistics and imported products as major concerns.
“Prices keep changing almost daily. Food items, transportation, fuel and foreign exchange all affect our operations. But as business owners, we must plan strategically and continue adapting,” she said.
She noted that while her hospitality business faces rising food costs, her retail enterprise also contends with foreign exchange volatility due to imports from China, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Encouraging Women to Pursue Financial Independence
One of the strongest messages from the award recipient centred on women empowerment.
Chief Mrs. Laguda advised women who rely entirely on spouses or relatives for survival to develop independent income sources, regardless of how small they begin.
Recalling her own experience, she disclosed that she started her food business from her modest two-bedroom apartment during one of the most difficult periods of her life.
“I was processing a divorce and rebuilding my life. What started as a passion gradually became a thriving business,” she recounted.
She urged aspiring entrepreneurs not to allow fear prevent them from pursuing their dreams.
“People often think failure is the end. It isn’t. Every setback teaches valuable lessons that prepare you for greater success.”
She further encouraged women to leverage social media and digital commerce to build sustainable businesses with minimal startup capital.
Calling for Better Government Policies
While commending ongoing efforts to improve the business environment, Chief Mrs. Laguda appealed for policies that would reduce the financial burden on entrepreneurs.
She identified multiple taxation, local government levies, poor infrastructure and increasing logistics costs as major issues affecting businesses across Nigeria.
According to her, better road infrastructure and stable economic policies would significantly lower transportation costs and improve business efficiency nationwide.
Global Vision
Looking ahead, Chief Mrs. Laguda expressed confidence that her businesses would continue expanding beyond Nigeria over the next decade.
She disclosed plans to establish international branches of Freesia Foodies while simultaneously expanding her real estate investments into global markets.
“I believe God has greater plans. We are looking at taking our businesses internationally while continuing to impact lives and create opportunities,” she said.
She stressed that true success is measured not merely by financial achievements but by the number of lives positively transformed.
“If you’re successful and you’re not helping others grow, then you’re missing an important part of life’s purpose.”
Balancing Family and Business
Despite managing multiple businesses, content creation and other professional responsibilities, the entrepreneur acknowledged that maintaining work-life balance remains an ongoing challenge.
She credited proper structure, delegation and disciplined time management for helping her fulfil her responsibilities as a wife, mother and business leader.
“When I get home and my husband is around, I intentionally put my phone aside. I have also empowered capable people to manage different aspects of my businesses.”
A Legacy of Empowering Women
Asked how she wishes to be remembered, Chief Mrs. Laguda gave a heartfelt response that reflected her lifelong passion for mentorship and women empowerment.
“I want to be remembered as a woman who genuinely cared for other women,” she said.
She explained that genuine support among women should extend beyond slogans to practical mentorship, encouragement and creating opportunities for others.
Drawing inspiration from the late Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, she added:
“I want to become the kind of woman whose impact people will continue to talk about for generations.”
Celebrating African Excellence
In presenting the award, the Publisher of Fresh Facts Magazine described Chief Mrs. Laguda as an exceptional African entrepreneur whose achievements embody the ideals of the 100 African Game Changers Compendium.
According to the citation, she was recognised for her visionary leadership, entrepreneurial excellence, innovation, employment creation, digital influence, hospitality development, real estate investment, women and youth empowerment, and unwavering commitment to sustainable development.
The publisher noted that the 100 African Game Changers Compendium, produced every four years in partnership with the African Network for Accountability (ANFA), Ghana, celebrates Africans whose work continues to transform communities, strengthen institutions and advance development across the continent.
Chief Mrs. Laguda’s selection followed what organisers described as a rigorous, independent and merit-based assessment involving research, verification and evaluation of nominees’ professional achievements, leadership qualities, integrity and measurable societal impact.
Her inclusion among the distinguished personalities featured in the 2026 100 African Game Changers Compendium further reinforces her growing reputation as one of Africa’s emerging business leaders whose entrepreneurial journey continues to inspire excellence, innovation and purposeful leadership across generations.
