|
Case
| HBS Case Collection
|
December 2006
(Revised January 2007)
Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola and Nigeria's Manufacturing Sector
by
Nitin Nohria, Anthony Mayo, Foluke Otudeko and Mark Benson
|
Abstract
Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola was an important contributor to Nigeria's manufacturing sector, creating a multimillion-dollar conglomerate including three factories, a retail franchise, a cattle ranch, a 5,000-acre plantation, a sawmill, and an exporting business before the end of British colonial rule in 1960. Seizing business opportunities as he saw demand, Odutola moved between markets at every opportunity, creating companies servicing a diverse variety of needs. Odutola's keen, unwavering interest in improving the infrastructure of Nigeria allowed him to enjoy a successful career in business and politics, despite the vastly fluctuating political landscape of Nigeria. From British rule through civil war and subsequent coups and countercoups, Odutola remained a popular leader for his commitment to promoting Nigerian business ventures. Elevated to Prime Minister of his tribe--the Ijebu-Ode--in 1956, and later selected as the first President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Odutola campaigned for manufacturing interests and consulted with government officials about national fiscal policy. As a statesman and as a business leader, Odutola worked tirelessly to improve the infrastructure of his country.
Keywords: History;
Business Conglomerates;
Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact;
Corporate Entrepreneurship;
Success;
Leadership Style;
Business History;
Market Entry and Exit;
Personal Development and Career;
Business Startups;
Manufacturing Industry;
Nigeria;
