Society praises the man who is debt-free. But wealth is rarely built debt-free.

Debt-free thinking keeps you small. You save little, you spend little, and you grow little. But when you understand debt as leverage, everything changes.

Debt used to buy assets, expand systems, and fund growth is productive debt. Debt used on consumables is destructive debt. One keeps you poor. The other positions you for wealth.

Here’s the difference:

Being in debt, when it is debt tied to assets or business, means you are using other people’s money to multiply capacity and expand your reach. It stretches your business beyond your personal savings.

Being debt-free, on the other hand, means you are limited to only what you have. You may feel safe, but you also stay small.

The choice is not about avoiding debt. The real choice is whether you will stay limited by your own pocket, or learn to multiply with leverage.

Dr. Smith Ezenagu is the Chairman of Esso Group, a diversified conglomerate shaping real estate, finance, education, and media. Dr. Smith Ezenagu is recognized as a real estate & investment mogul, life coach, and private equity expert. He leads Esso Group and its subsidiaries: Esso Properties (awarded Nigeria’s Most Innovative Real Estate Company in 2024 and recognized as the best real estate company in Nigeria), Esso School of Enterprise (the leading institution equipping entrepreneurs), and Esso Capital (delivering smart, trusted financial solutions across Nigeria).