If you think your family business is doing well because you’ve survived NEPA bills, tax wahala, and Lagos landlords, let me introduce you to Kongo Gumi, a Japanese construction company that’s been in business since 578 AD. Yes, you read that right. Five. Seven. Eight. As in, before Nigeria, before Britain, before America — before even the concept of “Jollof vs fried rice” wars.
While we’re here arguing whether “Gen Z will ever marry” or “dollar will hit ₦2,000,” Kongo Gumi has been minding its business (literally) for over 1,400 years.
How it all started (hint: Buddhism, not hustle culture)
Kongo Gumi was founded when a Korean immigrant named Shigemitsu Kongo was invited to Japan to help build a Buddhist temple. And that’s how it began: one temple gig turned into another, and another — and before long, his descendants were literally the go-to family for temple construction.
In Nigeria, this is the equivalent of one carpenter fixing a church bench in 578 AD and his family still controlling RCCG church building contracts today. Imagine!
40 Generations of Family CEOs
The company stayed in the Kongo family for over 40 generations. That means from great-great-great-great-grandpapa to great-great-great-grandchildren, everybody was born into the construction hustle. No “my son must be a doctor” drama. No “my daughter must study law.” Everybody just built temples.
Meanwhile in Nigeria, most family businesses collapse after two Christmases and one burial. Daddy dies, siblings fight, and boom — the family bakery becomes “To Let.” But Kongo Gumi kept it moving for more than a millennium.
What kept them alive? (Spoiler: not vibes)
Kongo Gumi survived wars, political upheavals, plagues, and economic collapses. While kingdoms rose and fell, these guys just kept stacking stones and wood.
Their secret?
Adaptation – When temple-building slowed down, they diversified into modern construction and civil projects. Discipline – No reckless spending on convoy of SUVs for one contract. Long-term thinking – While our leaders think in 4-year election cycles, these people planned in centuries.
The Fall (and Resurrection)
After over 1,400 years, in 2006, Kongo Gumi finally ran into serious debt (about $343 million). But did they close down? Nope. They were absorbed by Takamatsu Construction Group, and they’re still running today as a subsidiary.
Compare that to many Nigerian businesses that collapse after one CBN policy. Imagine your family shop surviving since before the Fulani Jihad and still thriving after fuel subsidy wahala. That’s Kongo Gumi levels of resilience.
Why this matters (to Nigerians especially)
Kongo Gumi is proof that institutions can outlive individuals — if they’re built right. It’s a big slap reminder to us here: if a company can last for 1,400 years in Japan, why can’t our roads last 14 months? Why can’t our airlines last 14 years? Why can’t some politicians last one full term without decamping?
Final Word
So the next time you think your side hustle is doing well because you’ve lasted 5 years, remember: Kongo Gumi has lasted 1,447 years and counting.
In Nigeria, our ancestors were still asking “who collected bride price for Amadioha’s daughter” when this company was already cashing temple contracts.
Lesson: think long-term, build with integrity, and maybe — just maybe — your family name will outlive even the next redesign of the naira.