By Taiwo Babatunde
Akinosho Samson is charting a new path in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape, uniting the worlds of technology and mental health with a single, purpose-driven vision.
As the founder of both Cogent Media and Laomai Counseling, Sam is proving that true innovation is not just about building new tools, it is about transforming lives, inside and out.
About five years ago, Sam launched Cogent Media, a technology company driven by a mission to help small businesses across Nigeria scale up and attract meaningful opportunities.
Now in June 2025, that mission has taken on even greater urgency, as more entrepreneurs seek support to survive and thrive in a challenging economy. “When I looked around, I saw that most small businesses were full of potential but had no support to access technology or present themselves for grants or investment,” Sam says. “I wanted to give these businesses the tools to stand out, be seen, and actually grow.”
Cogent Media does much more than just build websites and apps. Sam and his team help clients manage their digital presence, draft proposals, develop brands, and generally prepare for the demands of today’s fast-changing marketplace. “Our goal is not just to give someone a website and walk away,” he explains. “We build a foundation so that these entrepreneurs can keep scaling, keep attracting investors, and know how to tell their own stories.”
Yet, technology is only half of Sam’s story. His second venture, Laomai Counseling, grew out of his passion for helping others and the urgent need for mental health services in Nigeria. Years ago, he started “Samcanhelp” as a platform where people could simply reach out and talk. Over time, Laomai Counseling evolved into a professional and purposeful therapy service. “Too many Nigerians suffer in silence because they feel asking for help is weak or shameful,” Sam says. “My mission is to make therapy as common as visiting the doctor or using mobile banking.”
He does not just talk the talk. One of Sam’s proudest achievements was co-developing a database platform for NAFDAC to help fight the plague of fake products, a project that, for him, proved how technology can truly make a difference. As a passionate reader and an optimist about humanity, he believes technology and wellness are deeply connected. “The real value of what we do in tech is not about gadgets or code,” Sam reflects. “It is about building solutions that change lives, whether for a business owner or someone struggling with trauma.”
Sam’s work-life philosophy is unique in its integration. “People always ask how I run both a tech company and a counseling practice, but I do not draw a line between the two,” he says. “Both are about helping people reach their full potential, and that is what keeps me going every day.”
Outside his professional work, Sam is steadily building a supportive community on Instagram, where he shares content on therapy, faith, and everyday life through his handle @that.blessed.sam. It’s a space where he connects with people seeking balance, inspiration, and practical tools for well-being.
As he prepares to release his debut book, “What Life Couldn’t Kill,” later this year, Sam’s story stands as proof that business success can go hand-in-hand with healing and human connection. “If more of us combined our skills for the good of others, I believe Nigeria would see even more growth, inside and out,” Sam affirms.