Charles Awuzie says he’s not driven by revenge or ego but by pure passion. Speaking on KAATRUTHS podcast, he explained that many Nigerians believe wealth always comes from shady dealings. He wants to change that mindset. According to him, it’s possible to be rich without exploiting others, though the journey is far from easy.
Reflecting on a question about whether a truly wealthy person can avoid taking unfair advantage of the system, Awuzie admitted it’s complicated. He shared advice his father once gave him. As a respected teacher and school leader, his father said that getting real work done often means stepping on the toes of those who resist progress. That message, Awuzie said, shaped how he leads today. He doesn’t set out to hurt people, but believes that doing the right thing sometimes offends those invested in the wrong.
He emphasized that intentional harm isn’t necessary to build something meaningful. Instead, he practices daily self-reflection. Before bed, he reviews his interactions—how he treated drivers, baristas, and customer service reps. If he realizes he was wrong, he reaches out to say sorry. That habit of introspection, he said, keeps his conscience clear and his ego in check.
On whether building wealth always involves hurting people, he said no, but it depends on the approach. Many entrepreneurs obsess over beating competitors. They don’t just build businesses—they try to destroy others. That mindset, he believes, is unethical. It can mean families lose income just so someone else can rise. His alternative? Focus on creating value. Build something people genuinely need, test it in the market, and improve it based on feedback. If the product is good, it will thrive, without sabotaging anyone.
But he didn’t ignore the reality. Capitalism, as it stands, is unfair. Awuzie admits he’s cautious about sharing his full views on economic systems, because they might challenge popular beliefs. Still, he believes there’s a growing movement toward what he calls conscience-driven capitalism. This version of business doesn’t use people—it uplifts them. It doesn’t just build profit—it builds lives.
He pointed to oil-rich communities where companies destroy the environment and ignore the people living there. That, he said, is what happens when businesses value profit over people. But times are changing. More business leaders are beginning to humanize their operations, and that gives him hope.
Before ending the conversation, Awuzie said he plans to return one day to talk more about this idea of humanizing business. For now, he hopes his message helps others believe it’s possible to create wealth the right way, without stepping on everyone else to get there.
