BY MUSA GWARY, NOVEMBER 24, 2025 | 10:33 PM
To stand in the presence of true greatness is a rare privilege. To be taught, guided, and shaped by it is a life-changing gift. This has been my fortune as a mentee of Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori, a man whose life and work embody an unyielding pursuit of excellence and a profound love for Nigeria and Africa.
Dr. Kori is not merely a successful professional; he is a singular force of nature who operates at the powerful intersection of high finance, transformative policy, and tangible development. As his mentee, I have had a front-row seat to witness a mind that can simultaneously architect a $100 billion national financing strategy and meticulously engineer the revival of a single moribund agro-processing plant. He teaches us that nation-building requires both the grand vision and the gritty execution.
His professional accomplishments, as stellar as they are, are but a shadow of the man himself. Key accomplishment few to list is the mobilization of over $1 billion in development capital, but it cannot capture the relentless intellect that devises innovative Sukuk structures or the persuasive prowess that aligns multilateral institutions, sovereign governments, and private capital towards a common goal. It mentions his role in delivering 15,000 affordable homes, but it fails to convey his deep-seated belief that every family deserves dignity and shelter.
From him, I learned that "development finance" is not an abstract term; it is the capital that builds the hospital in a rural community, the road that connects farmers to markets, and the power plant that lights up a small factory, creating dozens of jobs. His leadership in the Lake Chad Basin is a masterclass in turning geopolitical complexity into a tapestry of regional cooperation, proving that economic integration is the most potent tool for peace and prosperity.
His most recent triumph—the acquisition and revival of the five agro-food assets into the Nigeria Food Corporation—is a case study in his unique genius. Where others saw only liabilities, Dr. Kori saw potential. He saw an opportunity to resuscitate industries, secure food for the nation, and restore pride to communities. He demonstrated that reviving a moribund company is an act of both economic and social justice.
Yet, beyond the boardrooms and high-level negotiations, Dr. Kori is a mentor in the truest sense. He invests the same rigor in developing people as he does in structuring a deal. He pushes for excellence not as a standard, but as a habit. He has taught me that integrity is the most valuable currency, that your word is your bond, and that true success is measured not just by personal gain, but by the number of lives you positively impact.
Dr. Kori, you are the embodiment of the belief that one individual, armed with vision, integrity, and relentless drive, can indeed alter the trajectory of a nation. You have not only built institutions and mobilized capital; you have built people. You have ignited in me, and in countless others, a fire to contribute meaningfully to our great country.
Thank you for your guidance, your unwavering standards, and for showing us, by example, what is possible. Your legacy is not just in the deals closed or the projects delivered, but in the generations of leaders you are molding to continue this critical work.
With the utmost respect and gratitude,
Musa Gwary Mentee & Protégé
Conflict Reporting is dangerous and risky. Our reporters constantly face life-threatening challenges, sometimes surviving ambushes, kidnap attempts and attacks by the whiskers as they travel and go into communities to get authentic and firsthand information. But we dare it every day, nonetheless, in order to keep you informed of the true situation of the victims, the trends in the conflicts and ultimately help in peace building processes. But these come at huge cost to us. We are therefore appealing to you to help our cause by donating to us through any of the following means. You can also donate working tools, which are even more primary to our work. We thank you sincerely as you help our cause.
Alternatively, you can also email us on
info@yen.ng or message us
via +234 803 931 7767
