New Money Conference 2025: Israel James Urges Entrepreneurs to Turn Policy Uncertainty into Strategic Advantage
“Government Is the Godfather of the Market” — Israel James Tells Entrepreneurs at New Money Conference
Port Harcourt — The bustling city of Port Harcourt played host to some of Nigeria’s brightest business leaders, policymakers, and innovators at the New Money Conference 2025, held on August 29 at Astro Halls, Chief G.U. Ake Road, EliOzu. Themed “Making, Managing & Multiplying Money,” the event attracted thought leaders from diverse industries — finance, technology, crypto, media, and enterprise — united by a shared vision: how to create sustainable wealth in an age of disruption.
Amid the lineup of dynamic speakers, Hon. Israel James, Country Director of PROJECT SPRINT, delivered one of the conference’s most compelling sessions. His presentation, titled “Beyond the Headlines: Turning Policy Uncertainty into Your Greatest Advantage,” challenged entrepreneurs to confront the uneasy relationship between innovation and regulation.
Israel James: “Government Is the Godfather of the Market”
Taking the stage, James wasted no time in reframing the narrative:
“The single biggest force that will determine whether your ‘new money’ becomes old money or no money isn’t technology, market trends, or competitors — it’s the government. Not as an obstacle to overcome, but as the most complex and impactful ecosystem you will ever navigate.”
He cautioned participants against underestimating the weight of regulatory uncertainty, drawing examples from the Nigerian crypto clampdown during the Buhari era, which left many startups crippled.
According to James, many founders wrongly treat government policy as a calculable “risk.” But in reality, it’s “uncertainty” — unpredictable, immeasurable, and often outside traditional business models. “Treating uncertainty like risk is a catastrophic strategic error,” he stressed.
The Proactive Playbook for Business Leaders
James outlined a four-step proactive playbook for corporate leaders to manage and leverage policy dynamics:
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Policy Intelligence & Scenario Planning (The Radar): Move beyond news headlines; build formal systems for horizon scanning and legislative tracking.
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Embedding Policy in Corporate Strategy (The Compass): Integrate policy considerations into every five-year business plan, from grants to permits.
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Stakeholder Capital (The Bank Account): Build credibility with regulators and community leaders before crises arise.
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The CEO as Chief Policy Officer (The Face): Business leaders must step into public advocacy roles, writing op-eds, testifying, and shaping national debates.
“The most valuable company of the next decade won’t just have the best algorithm; it will have the best government strategy,” James concluded, leaving the audience with a powerful call to action: “Who in your C-suite owns policy uncertainty, and what will you do about it in the next quarter?”
Other Highlights from the Conference
The New Money Conference 2025 was a melting pot of expertise, blending practical strategies with bold visions of the future. Speakers included Nteiro Cornelius, Emeka Kalu, Charles Avis, Deborah Ojenigbed, Venn Oputa, Ayo Olupitan, and Bright Baridaka, among others.
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Kosisochukwu Nathan spoke on harnessing digital tools for wealth creation in emerging markets.
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Yinka Oke energized the audience with her session on entrepreneurial resilience and the psychology of money.
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Crypto Pidgin Analyst broke down blockchain adoption in Nigeria in simple, relatable terms, showing both its opportunities and regulatory hurdles.
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Rev. Samuel Arungwa H.O. blended faith and finance in his address, emphasizing ethical wealth-building.
Throughout the sessions, panelists consistently circled back to a key reality: in a rapidly shifting Nigerian economy, opportunities abound, but only for those who are agile enough to adapt.
Audience Reactions
Participants described the event as both “eye-opening” and “timely,” particularly in light of Nigeria’s ongoing inflation challenges, forex volatility, and the government’s evolving stance on tech regulation.
One young entrepreneur told PulseNets: “Hearing Hon. Israel James made me realize we can’t just build in isolation. If you ignore government, you’re building on quicksand.”
Another attendee added: “The conference has shown us that new money isn’t just about hustle or apps; it’s about strategy, structure, and foresight.”
The New Money Conference didn’t just highlight personal finance or corporate strategies; it underscored a generational shift in how Nigerians view wealth creation. Unlike past eras, where oil or political connections were dominant, today’s “new money” is about leveraging technology, policy alignment, and innovation.
With voices like Hon. Israel James emphasizing policy engagement and others spotlighting digital finance, the event sent a clear message: Nigeria’s future wealth will be built at the intersection of innovation and governance.
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As the conference wrapped up, one theme resonated strongly: building wealth in today’s Nigeria requires more than disruptive ideas. It requires foresight, policy intelligence, and strategic alignment with government realities.
By positioning government not as a stumbling block but as a partner to navigate, Hon. Israel James and his fellow speakers left participants with a blueprint for thriving in uncertain times.
The New Money Conference 2025 may well be remembered as a turning point — not just for the conversations it sparked, but for the mindset shift it inspired in Nigeria’s emerging generation of wealth creators.
