Nigerians solving Nigerian Problems.
The Nigerian society scared me as teenager, the future was so bleak and everything was driven by money (salary). I remember discussions in secondary school where we would just argue and talk about jobs that would get us the biggest salaries and it wasn’t because I was in the commercial class. It was everyone, science and art students suffered the same virus.
“Pilots earn a whole lot, wetin bi Teacher? Stock broking is mad! Have you seen the reported profits?”
Two things scared me a whole lot, One was lack of passion, many of us did not have a passion, we just picked the highlight of every career talk, the best looking man in the suit always had the right words to say. There was no heart, just a sheer will to make money. My second fear stemmed from the lack of innovation I observed. The problems around us were evident — transportation, governance, electricity, security, unemployment, poverty and the economy itself but we never had a discussion about how we could fix these problems.
Although it wasn’t popular, I had an “Us” mentality from a young age. I did not know how to express it sometimes, probably because it was always seen as doing too much or wanting too much but I knew there was a need for it somewhere in the society. I believed and still believe that Nigerian problems would be solved by Nigerians, not necessarily the government but by the people.
Looking back now I understand my confusion with picking a career path. I joined commercial class because I didn’t like further math or math and I derived a pleasure from going against the rush to Science class - the “Smart students go to Science” myth. By third term in SS1, I grew tired of Accounting, I was getting the grades but I wasn’t enjoying it. I remember brainstorming on a “Mobile accounting” idea which involved providing accounting services to small and Middle scale businesses, from one Iya Emeka to Aunty Bose. By “SS2” I wanted to become a Lawyer, the thought of helping people get justice and making a living off doing such good was a dream I chased for years.
Five years down the line, I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in mass communication and my perception of Nigeria is not so scary. This is not because the situation is better but wii, sorry we are now trying to solve our problems. Nigerians have taken the bull by the horn. Our perspective is what changed. Many Nigerians now see our problems as our opportunities.
Over the past decade, I have seen startups founded by Nigerians fix Nigerian problems, companies with souls. Entrepreneurship is not the only thing that saves, it is our boldness to branch out of the ordinary and expected. Branching out of the ordinary is not limited to only a business or quitting a job, it is as simple as being bold enough to do the ordinary innovatively. Entrepreneurship is not going to save only our economy but our country. This is because it is solely dependent on people. If a startup doesn’t solve problems of Nigerians, it wouldn’t survive, it is that simple. If it does not increase the standard of living of the people, it would not grow.
This new perspective has made me believe in a better Nigeria. A Nigeria where Andela and Ingressive keep developing millions of tech talents for local and global companies with Paystack and Flutterwave solving payment problems that aid thousands of SMEs in and across Africa.
A Nigeria where Thrive Agric, FarmCrowdy, and Farmkartng constantly increase the level of participation in agriculture which in turn leads to sustainable development in the agricultural sector. A Nigeria that has a Susty Vibe and is conscious enough to maintain and sustain its environment.
A Nigeria where CowryWise and Piggybank.ng have nurtured a saving culture so strong it has led many to financial freedom and Cregital revolutionises design as we know it. A Nigeria that is fully aware and conscious of the activities of its Government while holding them accountable for their activities leading to transparency with BudgIT Nigeria and Tracka in the forefront of this development. A Nigeria where Wii CREATE through various mediums: interests, values and content for individual and corporate clients. A Nigeria that despite its advancement conserves its cultural heritage, untold stories and values through diverse art including beautiful well-crafted furniture by Alaga Collections. A Nigeria where what seems like a problem is modified and put to good use like Max and Gokada did with motorcycles and step by step the pieces would come together like a jigsaw puzzle of the Nigerian map in the hand of its child today and savior tomorrow. A Nigeria with more innovative solution providers tackling our problems. One problem at a time.
In conclusion, like many start up founders and many Nigerians doing the ordinary innovatively, it all starts with a baby step; a thought, an idea or a tweak of the ordinary. You and I can take a baby step towards a better Nigeria by getting our PVCs and voting value adding leaders who have the people in perspective come 2019. This is the first step towards a reality where Nigerians solve Nigerian problems.
Post — Article Paragraphs
This could have easily been my 10th medium post if I actually executed all the ideas I had or started but that is about to change.
Special thanks to Oreoluwa Macaulay for editing and gathering my thoughts together on this article.
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