In his book “Business Stripped Bare” English billionaire businessman, Richard Branson states; “if you want to see entrepreneurs go to Africa, go to Nigeria and see the spirit of entrepreneurship”. He went further to say that there were just too many opportunities here. (I’m well aware that Virgin Nigeria has been bought by Jimoh Ibrahim-our solutions are best homegrown.)
Mr. Branson couldn’t be closer to the truth, the opportunities here are so immense. Every obstacle to good business endeavour in Nigeria I have found out is of itself a good business endeavour! If we lose our selfishness and employ more of patriotism and patience we could reap great fortunes from such “obstacles”.
Consultants Needed: The Joseph Strategy
Though the term “consultant” is broad, here I refer to an individual that could understand a problem of another individual, group, organization, industry or state, identify a solution and fashion out strategic objective solutions to the problem. He is the prime business man, an Innovator.
This group of individuals is really lacking and their largest clients (perhaps unwilling) are policy/decision makers in public/private organizations. The consultant must however be proactive. The magnitude of Nigeria’s problem cannot stand a dogged assault from well meaning inspired Judaic Consultants. It is the Joseph strategy; it is not enough to interpret the kings dream, make him a proposal! who said you’ve to be a Pharaoh or a Nebuchadnezzar to govern an empire, just be relevant and therein is your own fortune and better you’ll save a nation! Bottom line; write a proposal and if you must present it for free, If Pharoah wants it then you’ve got your first client. If the problem is large enough you might need an office space, internet connection, some staff and some allowance to solve it!
It is not a coaster ride however and has never been, but it’s much better than complaining and imprisonment.
DISADVANTAGED? NO! IT IS ABOUT THE TIPPING POINT.
For Nigeria to achieve rapid economic growth we must reposition ourselves for the tipping points, for every generation and industry there are always tipping points that churn out the new phase of billionaires and mega economies. These economies are built on the shoulders/strengths of previous ones (that is why Asia could emerge as a world power in 25years). The Fords, Bill Gates, Bransons, Rockefellers, Dangotes and Adetola are products of particular tipping points. No age would last forever (though the money might and could be used to enter the next tipping point) and history has shown that the entry requirement for the next entry is not cash but service.
There is no technology that we really need that Nigeria cannot afford (never forget that). Entrepreneurs must be able to identify the next “age” in every industry and position for the flow. With or without you, things will definitely shift and with it a new phase of billionaires, significance and economies.
Nigeria can lose her timidity and inferiority complex and boldly enter the new realm of Telecommunication (Adenuga and Dozien), the new realm of energy (? And ?) Postal delivery (? And ?) IT (Zinox and ?) Steel (? And ?) Pharmaceuticals (? And ?) Health Care (? And ?) Banking (? And ?) media (? And ?)………………………
It is plain that there are a lot of spaces out there; there are no movements that are moving ahead rather there are individuals that are moving ahead.
Nigeria is an individual, she can be you or you can let the cap pass (or the headtie!).
©Okwonna Nelson
nnamdiokwonna@yahoo.com
Okwonna Nelson is the CEO of Onel Consults Ltd.
Okwonna Nelson consults for public and private corporations and is available for seminars and talks.
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