Donald Atunwa’s journey is remarkable—not just for its success but for how he is planning the future. Like many other billionaires, Donald’s story began humbly. Born into a family of cocoa farmers, his father insisted on giving him a formal education. As fate would have it, Donald entered the oil industry during its boom years.

Now wealthy and fulfilled, Donald’s focus has shifted. He doesn’t want the wealth and success to end with him; his vision is to secure the family’s legacy for at least four more generations after him.

His breakthrough came when he met Justina, a family advisor at the Meristem Family Office. After just two meetings, Donald was amazed. Everything he had dreamed of seemed not only possible but achievable.

Excited, he gathered his family for a meeting. He introduced them to Justina, saying she would explain an important concept to them: Family Governance.

“Family governance? What does that even mean?” asked Henry, his third son, clearly skeptical.

Justina smiled and responded, “Family Governance is a structured approach to managing and preserving a family’s wealth, human capital, and legacy. It ensures that decisions are made smoothly, with harmony, across generations. Think of it as a family rule book, outlining the family’s purpose, goals, decision-making processes, and how to handle challenges.”

Sophia, Donald’s eldest daughter and a successful banker with one of Nigeria’s top three banks, chimed in, “But we’re all doing fine. Why is this necessary?”

“Great question, Sophia,” Justina replied. “Even when things seem fine, it’s crucial for every family, especially one that has worked hard to reach such heights, to have a clear and structured way of managing their affairs. Families are too important to be left to chance. Just like a business requires strategy, structure, and clear processes to thrive, so does a family. A Family Governance structure helps clarify priorities, harness individual strengths, and keep everyone united, ensuring the family’s wealth and values are preserved across generations.” At this point, they all began to think about how to create their governance system. Stay tuned for the next episode as they explore the nitty gritty of family governance and constitution.

Continues in Episode 2