Former SMEDAN Director-General, Dr. Olawale Fasanya, has shared how his decision to leave a well-paid role at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) was met with disbelief by many who felt he was making a costly mistake.
Speaking at the unveiling of his autobiography, Cradle to Saddle, in Abuja, Fasanya recounted choosing purpose over comfort by leaving a position that offered substantial earnings and privileges for a significantly lower-paying job at SMEDAN.
According to him, the PTDF role came with a monthly income of about N1.2 million, premium travel benefits, and regular international training opportunities. Despite these advantages, he felt restricted in a position where he had little influence on key decisions and preferred to work in an environment where he could contribute meaningfully.
His move to SMEDAN saw him accept a sharp pay cut, but he said the opportunity to help shape an agency he had been part of since its early days was more important than financial rewards.
Looking back, Fasanya expressed satisfaction with the decision, noting that it eventually paved the way for him to become Director-General of the agency. He described the journey as proof that career choices should not always be measured by salary alone.
At the event, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, represented by Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal, praised Fasanya’s dedication and commitment to the growth of SMEDAN and Nigeria’s small business sector. He revealed that he had personally recommended Fasanya for the top position at the agency because of his competence, experience, and loyalty.
Former Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission boss, Gbenga Komolafe, also commended Fasanya, highlighting the impact of SMEDAN’s programmes on millions of Nigerians and describing his contributions to enterprise development as remarkable.