BMO Advisory Services CEO says authenticity is the new currency for business success

Bola Matel-Okoh, Executive Coach and CEO of BMO Advisory Services has underscored the crucial role of authenticity in achieving enduring success in business and life.

“Be authentic in doing what you do,” she advised. “A lot of people are doing things the way others are doing them because they think that’s the way to succeed. But what truly sustains your vision and business is the authenticity that you bring to it,” Matel-Okoh said during a high-level fireside chat titled The Resilience Blueprint at the 6th UR³ Resilience Summit in Lagos recently.

Addressing business leaders, professionals and distinguished personalities present, Matel-Okoh made a solid case for authenticity as the foundation of long-term success.

The 2025 Unveil, Review, Redefine & Relaunch (UR³) Summit, themed M.O.V.E: Maintain Optimism, Visualise & Engage, was attended in person and virtually by speakers and participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, and beyond.

She cautioned against inauthenticity, stating that she often disengages from spaces where she does not sense genuine purpose and sincerity. Her message was clear: understanding one’s purpose and operating authentically are the keys to enduring success.

Addressing an audience member question, Matel-Okoh also highlighted the importance of aligning one’s vision with the right partner, particularly in marriage. “The person that you will marry is going to be an important stakeholder in your life,” she stated. “You must be able to marry someone who believes in the vision that you have.” She urged women especially to communicate their vision early on and assess whether their partner has the humility, strength, and grace to support and amplify it.

Fellow panelist Adesuwa Oyenokwe, Certified Coach and Chief Editor of TW Magazine underscored the role of resilience in navigating life’s challenges. Reflecting on her personal experiences, she highlighted adaptability, humility, diligence, and action as the pillars of resilience.

Comparing resilience to a palm tree, she noted, “You can’t stop the storms in your life, but you can rise from them if you’re adaptable, if you keep doing, if you’re humble, and if you’re diligent.”

Joe Osawaye, Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of KIZA Group, echoed these sentiments, urging men to anchor their pursuits in faith. “You may have your team and a vision, but if God does not build, the builder builds in vain,” he said. On sustaining success, he stressed continuous learning and surrounding oneself with the right people. “A lot of times, the vision is not easily executable because of the team. So you must focus on your team—not just create the team but also celebrate them.”

Moderated by the founder of the UR³ Resilience Summit Stephanie Kadiri, popularly known as StephREDD, the panel discussion reinforced the idea that authenticity, resilience, and faith are fundamental to success in both personal and professional spheres. As Matel-Okoh aptly put it, “If you do it in an authentic way, that is what will make it succeed.”