When GALIB, popularly known as 7 DAYS , launched LYFE, many doubted he would even sell 100 bottles. However, In the first 90 days, the Ibadan born creative entrepreneur sold over 30,000 bottles, built a loyal consumer base, and is inching close to a quarter of a billion naira in valuation, all without mainstream retail.
For 7 DAYS, the idea was never just to sell water, it was to spark emotion.
“A lot of products in Nigeria just feel routine,” he says. “You walk into a supermarket, pick something, and walk out. Nothing excites you. But whenever I travel abroad, I see products that make me stop, look, and feel something. That’s what I wanted to create.”
GALIB’s background isn’t typical for a water brand founder. He started off as a rapper, later trained as an industrial designer, and now channels his creative energy into entrepreneurship.
For him, LYFE wasn’t born out of market research or spreadsheets, but from instinct.
“I’m not your textbook entrepreneur. I move more by intuition,” he said. “It’s like checking your phone and it says the weather is 26 degrees, but then God decides to change that in a second. I believe in that higher power, and staying connected to the source and that’s how I run my business.”
This unusual approach has worked. LYFE’s minimalist bottle design and strong brand storytelling stand out in a saturated market, attracting a new generation of consumers who care about both function and feeling.
It’s Not Just Water, It’s an Experience
Despite outsourcing production, GALIB says LYFE maintains high standards. The water is manufactured by the same facility that handles products for Medplus, a respected health brand.
“People think it’s just water, but LYFE is about how the product makes you feel,” he explained. “We care deeply about our consumers and want to create experiences that uplift and inspire.”
He’s quick to note that everyone is LYFE’s target market, but the brand resonates more with young, open-minded individuals who care about creativity, design, and meaningful connections.
Related: Aminu Dantata: The Quiet Giant Who Built an Empire
Breaking Barriers Without a Big Budget
Launching a consumer product in Nigeria isn’t easy, especially without millions in funding. But GALIB insists resourcefulness goes a long way.
“I didn’t have ₦100 million. I had a vision. We started with what we had. You just have to execute. That’s the hardest part for many entrepreneurs, getting things off the ground.”
Despite early skepticism and a tough market, LYFE quickly gained traction, thanks to strong direct-to-consumer marketing and a loyal customer base.
Now available in select retail locations, LYFE is slowly expanding, deliberately and strategically. GALIB says the goal was never to go mainstream too fast.
And there’s more to come.
“We are working on new product lines. This is just the beginning,” he hinted. “LYFE is not just a brand, it is the symbol for a new generation who live their lives with far more intention and depth than the ones who came before.”
Advice to Entrepreneurs
For young entrepreneurs trying to figure it out, GALIB has one piece of advice: just start.
“The vision will only go as far as you take it,” he said. “If it makes you happy, and you’re passionate about it, don’t overthink, start. Use what you have and grow from there.”
LYFE Premium Water is proving that even in a competitive and skeptical market, creativity, vision, and execution can cut through and that sometimes, a bottle of water can carry more than just hydration. It can carry hope, excitement, and a little piece of life.
View the full interview with GALIB below:
