At the heart of Nigeria’s thriving entrepreneurial scene lies Sola Adesakin, a Chartered Accountant‑turned‑finance coach whose mission is clear: empower individuals—especially women—with the skills to make, manage, and multiply their money.
Despite her stellar academic credentials—HND (Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, 2000), BSc (Oxford Brookes, 2006), MBA (Edinburgh Business School), plus ICAN, ACCA, and CPA designations—Sola admits her early financial life was chaotic.
She describes being in debt, living paycheck-to-paycheck even with a “well-paying job” . That reality changed when a single book transformed her habits: she built savings in seven-digit naira, then taught herself investment growth.
In 2018, Sola founded Smart Stewards Financial Advisory Limited, a fintech-powered hub dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses.
The organization offers a range of services, including financial literacy courses and the Smart Stewards Academy, which also includes a junior branch to educate young minds.
Additionally, the Smart Investment Club was established to foster investment and financial growth among members. Alongside these initiatives, Sola provides consulting and coaching services for SMEs and individuals, all aimed at building a movement that champions financial education, empowerment, and lasting economic change.
Today, she supports a thriving global community—over 10,000 active professionals across 30–40 countries—tackling debt, building savings, and investing millions.
Sola has authored eight books, from money‑mindset manifestos to budgeting diaries. Her guides have helped diverse audiences—from students to seasoned professionals—grasp financial basics. She’s also a sought-after speaker: TEDx, Cherie Blair Foundation panels, and the annual Smart Stewards Summits attract thousands.
Her entrepreneurial impact continues to garner recognition and accolades.
In 2020, she was named among Nigeria’s 100 most inspiring women by Nairametrics, and in 2022, she gained admission to the prestigious Forbes Coaches Council.
She is also an alumnus of several influential programs, including Global Women in Tech, Cherie Blair’s Road to Growth, and Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women initiative, among others.
Additionally, she actively participates in global SDG advocacy, promoting gender equality and financial inclusion through partnerships with the FRUIT Foundation.
Through the Smart Stewards initiative, Sola has made a significant impact, exemplifying her dedication to financial empowerment.
The Smart Investment Club, with over 10,000 professionals actively investing millions of dollars, demonstrates widespread engagement and trust in her vision.
Meanwhile, the Smart Stewards Academy and Junior Club have provided training to approximately 80,000 professionals and education to over 2,000 children.
These impressive figures highlight Sola’s core belief that financial freedom is a powerful catalyst for lasting life change, reinforcing her legacy of fostering economic independence and community upliftment.
Her story is a masterclass in transformation: leveraging academic skill, real-world humility, and tech-savvy strategy to deliver financial agency where it’s most needed. Across Africa—and increasingly global—Sola’s vision challenges traditional norms, proving wealth-building isn’t reserved for elites.
Sola is expanding through global summits (e.g. London Finance Conference 2023), new books, tech-driven learning tools, and deeper ventures into SMEs and family finance. With an eye on scaling her model across emerging economies, her mission is clear: financial literacy as a catalyst for continental prosperity.
Sola Adesakin is more than an accountant or coach—she’s a wealth architect catalyzing economic empowerment across Africa. She teaches that financial stability is personal power, and with the right tools, anyone can build it—one decision at a time.
Image Credit: Nairametrics
