PRINCE ELIJAH ABUMOYE: SCALING TRACTION OUTSOURCING TO BUILD BUSINESS SOLUTIONS AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES IN NIGERIA
An African 40 Under 40 CEO leading Traction Outsourcing to become one of Africa’s foremost business support firms
By Amana Alkali
40 under 40
Napoleon news
Africa
At a time when Africa’s youth population is surging and the demand for sustainable, practical business solutions has never been greater, visionary leaders are stepping forward to redefine what leadership means on the continent. One such leader is Prince Elijah Abumoye, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Traction Outsourcing Ltd, a Nigerian-based management consulting firm reshaping Nigeria’s consulting, HR, and real estate sectors through tailored solutions and people-focused strategies.
Recently named one of Africa’s Top 40 Under 40 Performing CEOs, Prince Elijah Abumoye exemplifies a new generation of African executives who are using innovation, inclusive leadership, and entrepreneurial grit to create jobs, empower young professionals, and expand the possibilities for local businesses.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into his journey, leadership philosophy, and the bold vision behind Traction Outsourcing Ltd. From transforming workforce outsourcing and management consulting to championing opportunities for women and youth, Prince Abumoye shares insights that will inspire emerging leaders across Africa and beyond.
1. You’ve been recognized among Africa’s Top 40 under 40 performing CEOs. What does that mean to you personally and for Traction Outsourcing?
Honestly, it means a lot. It is a reminder that the late nights, risks, and tough decisions are worth it. On a personal level, it has been humbling, but more than that, it pushes me to keep raising the bar. For Traction, it puts us in the spotlight, which is great because it opens more doors for impact. It tells our team and our clients that we are not just talking big, we are actually building something that works.
2. Your company operates in management consulting, HR outsourcing, and real estate brokerage. How have you positioned Traction Outsourcing to fix the gaps in Nigeria’s job and business space?
We have been very intentional. Nigeria’s biggest issues in employment are skill mismatch, lack of structure, and access, especially for small businesses. So, we built a system that covers all three. On the HR side, we don’t just find talent; we help train and deploy them based on real business needs. Our consulting arm steps in to help businesses put proper systems in place so they can grow. And through real estate, we support both individuals and SMEs in finding the kind of spaces that help them thrive.
3. The NBS says Nigeria’s unemployment rate is at 5% now, but we all know youth unemployment is still a big issue. What’s Traction doing to support youth and women's employment in real, practical terms?
You're right, the numbers don’t always tell the full story. We focus a lot on young people and women because they’re often the ones left out. For example, 60% of our workforce is made up of young smart women. We run programs that teach both soft and technical skills, and then we go a step further to place them in jobs, not just internships, but proper roles. We also work with employers to create job opportunities that are realistic and supportive, especially for women who need flexibility. And yes, we track it: how many we train, how many we place, and how they grow over time.
4. You clearly have a line of satisfied clients. Can you share a milestone project or case study where Traction Outsourcing delivered a transformative solution that significantly improved a client’s operations or workforce strategy?
Absolutely. I can think of a handful, but one stands out. Recently, we had an engagement with a real estate firm operating in Delta State but intends to expand to Abuja. They lacked structure, and there was no defining culture that set the company apart. Teams were working without defined roles, there was no performance framework, and hiring was mostly reactive. Traction Outsourcing was brought in to restructure their operations and improve their workforce strategy. We started with a full organizational diagnosis, interviewed staff, reviewed processes, and looked at their business model. From there, we helped them restructure, introduced clear job descriptions, implemented a performance management system, and ran onboarding for new hires based on those systems. But the real shift came from helping their leadership understand how to align people with business goals. We introduced regular team check-ins, structured performance reviews, and supported them in hiring strategically, not just urgently. Within three months, employee engagement improved, the leadership team reported fewer daily escalations, and sales performance became more predictable because everyone knew their lane.
5. With digital transformation accelerating globally, what role is technology playing in your consulting and outsourcing solutions today, and how do you plan to expand this in the next 5 years?
The world is technologically driven, and it has played a pivotal role in how we deliver value at Traction Outsourcing Limited. Looking ahead, we plan to build out our digital capability in the areas of talent advisory, client engagement portal, and other data-driven decision-making platforms.
6. Between 2020 and 2024, Nigeria’s consulting industry saw annual growth rates averaging 5 to 7%. How has Traction Outsourcing maintained growth and competitiveness within this dynamic market?
Even though Traction Outsourcing officially started operations in 2023, we entered the consulting space with a very clear value proposition: practical, execution-focused support for Nigerian businesses, with a laser point at Nigerian SMEs navigating growth, restructuring, or staff-related challenges. We stay ahead by focusing on execution, not just one-off advisory, staying lean and client-specific, offering a wide range of services from HR outsourcing, workforce strategy, to operations management. As a young firm, we’ve grown by being practical, responsive, and deeply aware of the Nigerian business terrain. That is what has kept us moving in a market that’s both competitive and constantly evolving.
7. Your profile says your company creates jobs for women and youth. What’s your approach to attracting and placing talent in this kind of tough economy?
You are correct. While our approach to attracting and placing talent in Traction starts with understanding the realities of the economy and the actual needs of both job seekers and employers, we also try to give equal and hindered access to women. Many talented women and young professionals simply don’t have access to the right networks, opportunities, or even clarity on how to position themselves for roles. So we work on building platforms, training programs, and advisory services that close that gap. For example, our in-house team is made up of 60% women.
8. McKinsey says diverse companies perform up to 35% better. How does diversity and inclusion fit into how you hire and staff people?
It’s at the core of everything we do. We’re big on making sure different voices and experiences are represented. Whether it’s women, young graduates, or people living with disabilities, we make sure they’re not just seen but actually hired and supported. Diversity for us isn’t a checkbox; it’s a strategy that’s helped us build stronger teams and more resilient businesses. And the cool part? Clients notice the difference, and so does our team morale.
9. Your leadership journey is now part of a continental spotlight. What would you say are the three core leadership principles that have shaped your path so far?
Three core leadership principles that have shaped my journey are clarity, discipline, and empathy. I have learned that people don’t follow noise. People follow clarity, so I try to be clear about vision, roles, and expectations at every level. Discipline keeps me grounded; in a business environment that’s often unpredictable, showing up consistently, following through, and staying focused has made all the difference. And finally, empathy. Understanding people, listening actively, and leading with context have helped me build trust, manage diverse teams, and make better decisions.
10. What has been your biggest leadership challenge so far as a young CEO, and how did you overcome it?
One of my biggest leadership challenges has been learning to balance vision with people management. As a CEO, it’s easy to get caught up in strategy and big goals, but I quickly realized that execution depends on people, and they need more than instructions; they need clarity, motivation, and support. We invest a lot of our time in partnerships, and I would sometimes assume everyone would naturally align with the pace and expectations I had in mind. I had to slow down, communicate better, and build systems that help people succeed without me being everywhere at once.
11. Where do you envision Traction Outsourcing in the next 10 years? Are you exploring pan-African expansion or new sectors?
In the next 10 years, I see Traction Outsourcing becoming one of, if not the foremost, Africa’s leading business support firms, helping to bridge the gap between strategy and execution for growing businesses across the continent. We will focus more on diaspora investments in Africa, ensuring that black businesses thrive for generations to come. We will definitely be expanding beyond Nigeria, starting with West Africa, while deepening our expertise in both HR outsourcing and business operations consulting. We are also exploring new sectors like education and tech-enabled services, where we can bring structure, talent, and performance systems to fast-growing ventures. The long-term goal is to build a trusted African brand that helps businesses grow sustainably by getting their people and processes right from day one, building on the foundation of the African culture for legacy and continuity.
12. Finally, of all your years in business and the lessons you have learned, what advice would you give to young African entrepreneurs who want to build businesses that create jobs and drive sustainable impact?
My advice would be: start small, but start right. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Clarify your value, solve real problems, and build with consistency. Focus on people: your team, your clients, your partners. Business is about relationships, and the quality of those relationships often determines how far you’ll go. Also, be willing to adapt. Africa is full of opportunity, but the terrain can shift quickly. What works in Lagos may not work in Cape Town. Finally, measure impact as seriously as you measure profit. Creating jobs and driving sustainable change takes discipline, not just passion. If you build with integrity and stay committed to solving problems, the results will come.
1. You’ve been recognized among Africa’s Top 40 under 40 performing CEOs. What does that mean to you personally and for Traction Outsourcing?
Honestly, it means a lot. It is a reminder that the late nights, risks, and tough decisions are worth it. On a personal level, it has been humbling, but more than that, it pushes me to keep raising the bar. For Traction, it puts us in the spotlight, which is great because it opens more doors for impact. It tells our team and our clients that we are not just talking big, we are actually building something that works.
2. Your company operates in management consulting, HR outsourcing, and real estate brokerage. How have you positioned Traction Outsourcing to fix the gaps in Nigeria’s job and business space?
We have been very intentional. Nigeria’s biggest issues in employment are skill mismatch, lack of structure, and access, especially for small businesses. So, we built a system that covers all three. On the HR side, we don’t just find talent; we help train and deploy them based on real business needs. Our consulting arm steps in to help businesses put proper systems in place so they can grow. And through real estate, we support both individuals and SMEs in finding the kind of spaces that help them thrive.
3. The NBS says Nigeria’s unemployment rate is at 5% now, but we all know youth unemployment is still a big issue. What’s Traction doing to support youth and women's employment in real, practical terms?
You're right, the numbers don’t always tell the full story. We focus a lot on young people and women because they’re often the ones left out. For example, 60% of our workforce is made up of young smart women. We run programs that teach both soft and technical skills, and then we go a step further to place them in jobs, not just internships, but proper roles. We also work with employers to create job opportunities that are realistic and supportive, especially for women who need flexibility. And yes, we track it: how many we train, how many we place, and how they grow over time.
4. You clearly have a line of satisfied clients. Can you share a milestone project or case study where Traction Outsourcing delivered a transformative solution that significantly improved a client’s operations or workforce strategy?
Absolutely. I can think of a handful, but one stands out. Recently, we had an engagement with a real estate firm operating in Delta State but intends to expand to Abuja. They lacked structure, and there was no defining culture that set the company apart. Teams were working without defined roles, there was no performance framework, and hiring was mostly reactive. Traction Outsourcing was brought in to restructure their operations and improve their workforce strategy. We started with a full organizational diagnosis, interviewed staff, reviewed processes, and looked at their business model. From there, we helped them restructure, introduced clear job descriptions, implemented a performance management system, and ran onboarding for new hires based on those systems. But the real shift came from helping their leadership understand how to align people with business goals. We introduced regular team check-ins, structured performance reviews, and supported them in hiring strategically, not just urgently. Within three months, employee engagement improved, the leadership team reported fewer daily escalations, and sales performance became more predictable because everyone knew their lane.
5. With digital transformation accelerating globally, what role is technology playing in your consulting and outsourcing solutions today, and how do you plan to expand this in the next 5 years?
The world is technologically driven, and it has played a pivotal role in how we deliver value at Traction Outsourcing Limited. Looking ahead, we plan to build out our digital capability in the areas of talent advisory, client engagement portal, and other data-driven decision-making platforms.
6. Between 2020 and 2024, Nigeria’s consulting industry saw annual growth rates averaging 5 to 7%. How has Traction Outsourcing maintained growth and competitiveness within this dynamic market?
Even though Traction Outsourcing officially started operations in 2023, we entered the consulting space with a very clear value proposition: practical, execution-focused support for Nigerian businesses, with a laser point at Nigerian SMEs navigating growth, restructuring, or staff-related challenges. We stay ahead by focusing on execution, not just one-off advisory, staying lean and client-specific, offering a wide range of services from HR outsourcing, workforce strategy, to operations management. As a young firm, we’ve grown by being practical, responsive, and deeply aware of the Nigerian business terrain. That is what has kept us moving in a market that’s both competitive and constantly evolving.
7. Your profile says your company creates jobs for women and youth. What’s your approach to attracting and placing talent in this kind of tough economy?
You are correct. While our approach to attracting and placing talent in Traction starts with understanding the realities of the economy and the actual needs of both job seekers and employers, we also try to give equal and hindered access to women. Many talented women and young professionals simply don’t have access to the right networks, opportunities, or even clarity on how to position themselves for roles. So we work on building platforms, training programs, and advisory services that close that gap. For example, our in-house team is made up of 60% women.
8. McKinsey says diverse companies perform up to 35% better. How does diversity and inclusion fit into how you hire and staff people?
It’s at the core of everything we do. We’re big on making sure different voices and experiences are represented. Whether it’s women, young graduates, or people living with disabilities, we make sure they’re not just seen but actually hired and supported. Diversity for us isn’t a checkbox; it’s a strategy that’s helped us build stronger teams and more resilient businesses. And the cool part? Clients notice the difference, and so does our team morale.
9. Your leadership journey is now part of a continental spotlight. What would you say are the three core leadership principles that have shaped your path so far?
Three core leadership principles that have shaped my journey are clarity, discipline, and empathy. I have learned that people don’t follow noise. People follow clarity, so I try to be clear about vision, roles, and expectations at every level. Discipline keeps me grounded; in a business environment that’s often unpredictable, showing up consistently, following through, and staying focused has made all the difference. And finally, empathy. Understanding people, listening actively, and leading with context have helped me build trust, manage diverse teams, and make better decisions.
10. What has been your biggest leadership challenge so far as a young CEO, and how did you overcome it?
One of my biggest leadership challenges has been learning to balance vision with people management. As a CEO, it’s easy to get caught up in strategy and big goals, but I quickly realized that execution depends on people, and they need more than instructions; they need clarity, motivation, and support. We invest a lot of our time in partnerships, and I would sometimes assume everyone would naturally align with the pace and expectations I had in mind. I had to slow down, communicate better, and build systems that help people succeed without me being everywhere at once.
11. Where do you envision Traction Outsourcing in the next 10 years? Are you exploring pan-African expansion or new sectors?
In the next 10 years, I see Traction Outsourcing becoming one of, if not the foremost, Africa’s leading business support firms, helping to bridge the gap between strategy and execution for growing businesses across the continent. We will focus more on diaspora investments in Africa, ensuring that black businesses thrive for generations to come. We will definitely be expanding beyond Nigeria, starting with West Africa, while deepening our expertise in both HR outsourcing and business operations consulting. We are also exploring new sectors like education and tech-enabled services, where we can bring structure, talent, and performance systems to fast-growing ventures. The long-term goal is to build a trusted African brand that helps businesses grow sustainably by getting their people and processes right from day one, building on the foundation of the African culture for legacy and continuity.
12. Finally, of all your years in business and the lessons you have learned, what advice would you give to young African entrepreneurs who want to build businesses that create jobs and drive sustainable impact?
My advice would be: start small, but start right. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Clarify your value, solve real problems, and build with consistency. Focus on people: your team, your clients, your partners. Business is about relationships, and the quality of those relationships often determines how far you’ll go. Also, be willing to adapt. Africa is full of opportunity, but the terrain can shift quickly. What works in Lagos may not work in Cape Town. Finally, measure impact as seriously as you measure profit. Creating jobs and driving sustainable change takes discipline, not just passion. If you build with integrity and stay committed to solving problems, the results will come.
