Nigerian Crypto Founder: 7 Years Without a Single Day Off

While most people dream of vacations, Moyo Sodipo has spent seven years building something bigger than himself without taking a single day off.

The co-founder and COO of Busha, a Nigerian cryptocurrency exchange, recently sat down to share what it really takes to build a financial institution in Africa. His honesty about sacrifice, growth, and determination offers a refreshing look at entrepreneurship beyond the glamorous headlines.

Sodipo grew up in a middle-class Nigerian family where his parents prioritized education and stability. He attended private schools, enjoyed three square meals, and occasionally traveled abroad. That foundation of "comfortable but not affluent" shaped his understanding that success requires both opportunity and relentless work.

The turning point came during COVID-19 in 2020. While most businesses shut down and the world stood still, Busha exploded with activity. Customers flooded in, support teams worked around the clock, and corporate clients kept knocking. "The business literally didn't stop," Sodipo recalls.

That pandemic period transformed his vision. What started as a project between co-founders became something much larger. He realized cryptocurrency wasn't competing with traditional money but complementing it, offering Africans new ways to participate in the global economy.

The Ripple Effect

Busha's growth during the pandemic created jobs when unemployment soared. The platform gave Nigerians access to financial tools previously out of reach. While other sectors struggled, Sodipo's team was researching, building capacity, and expanding services.

The journey hasn't been easy. Sodipo admits to moments of fear, especially during March 2020's "Black Friday" when global markets crashed. But he kept his conviction because traditional stock markets faced the same turbulence. The crisis proved that crypto could weather storms like any established financial system.

His work schedule reflects his commitment. He rarely explores the cities he visits for business, moving between airports, hotels, and meeting rooms. His perfect afternoon? A lazy Sunday binge-watching Formula 1 or a new series, something most people take for granted.

When asked about reading, Sodipo admits fintech consumed that habit. The last book he finished was "Half of a Yellow Sun" back in 2015. It taught him about Nigerian culture and history, deepening his understanding of the people he serves.

Seven years without leave means missing ordinary moments, but Sodipo sees beyond personal sacrifice. He's building infrastructure that could reshape how millions of Africans access, save, and grow their money. That vision keeps him going when exhaustion sets in.

His story reminds us that progress often requires extraordinary dedication from ordinary people willing to miss vacations, skip books, and work through global crises because they believe in something larger than themselves.