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In Nigeria, Still African Time

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African time

By Prince Charles Dickson PhD

How many times have you heard the phrase “No African time” and maybe if you naively wondered, what is African time? “African time” is a colloquialism that refers to the cultural tendency in some African countries, including Nigeria, to have a more relaxed attitude towards time and punctuality.

While it’s difficult to quantify the exact amount of time wasted due to “African time,” here are some common scenarios that might give you an idea: Meetings and events starting 30 minutes to several hours late (In fact, if it starts 30 minutes late, it is considered an early start). Social gatherings and parties beginning later than scheduled, delays in responding to messages or returning calls, and crass ineptitude characterized by some ridiculously flexible attitudes towards deadlines and time commitments

Keep in mind that “African time” is a stereotype, and not all Nigerians (or Africans) adhere to this cultural phenomenon. Let me state that many individuals and organizations prioritize punctuality and respect for other people’s time, but they are few in comparison.

Let’s dive deeper into the concept of “African time” and its cultural significance in Nigeria.

The term “African time” is believed to have originated from the colonial era, when Western colonizers imposed their time-keeping systems on African societies. This disruption of traditional time-keeping practices led to a more flexible attitude towards time.

The manifestations of “African Time” in Nigeria

  1. Flexibility: Time is viewed as a flexible concept, rather than a rigid framework. For instance:

    – A meeting scheduled for 10:00 AM might start at 11:30 AM, with attendees trickling in at their own pace.

    – A friend might ask to meet up at 5:00 PM, but show up at 6:30 PM, expecting you to still be available.

  1. Relaxed attitude: People may prioritize social interactions and relationships over punctuality. For example:

    – A family gathering might be scheduled for 2:00 PM, but the host might not mind if guests arrive an hour or two late, as long as they come with a warm smile and a willingness to socialize.

    – A colleague might show up late to a meeting, but make up for it by bringing a plate of freshly baked pastries or a bouquet of flowers.

  1. Adaptability: Nigerians often adapt to changing circumstances, including unexpected delays or setbacks. For instance:

    – A sudden rainstorm might cause a traffic jam, forcing you to arrive late to a meeting. Instead of apologizing profusely, you might simply shrug and say, “Ah, the rain caught me!”

    – A power outage might disrupt a wedding reception, but the guests might simply laugh and continue celebrating by candlelight.

– A wedding reception might be scheduled for 12:00 PM, but the food might not be served until 3:00 PM.

    – A birthday party might start at 5:00 PM, but the cake might not be cut until 7:30 PM.

Painfully, this attitude strays and influences not just various aspects of daily life in Nigeria but very important aspects, imagine where start times may be delayed, and punctuality is not always expected at a doctor’s appointment, scheduled for 9:00 AM, but the doctor might not see patients until 10:30 AM. A business meeting might start 30 minutes late, but the attendees might spend the first 15 minutes chatting and laughing together.

In Nigeria, “African time” has significant implications for politics and governance, and this was the point I had said I was coming to;

  1. Flexible Schedules: Government meetings, events, and even court proceedings often start late, with attendees trickling in at their own pace.
  2. Delayed Decision-Making: The flexible attitude towards time can lead to delayed decision-making, as officials may not feel pressured to meet deadlines.
  3. Inefficient Bureaucracy: The concept of “African time” can contribute to an inefficient bureaucracy, where tasks are completed at a slower pace.
  4. Lack of Accountability: The relaxed attitude towards time can make it challenging to hold officials accountable for their actions and decisions.
  5. Cultural Expectations: In some cases, “African time” is seen as a cultural expectation, where punctuality is not always valued.

On the last point above, rather than assume, I would preferably ask, how many times have you seen a top government official, a governor or a minister arrive early, or on time for a meeting, even whether business or social, it is seen as demeaning for the official or dignitary to be at the venue early or on time.

We have seen election delays like the 2019 presidential election, which was delayed by a week, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) citing logistical challenges. We have been served ‘breakfast’ of Budget Delays, as the Nigerian government has consistently failed to meet its budget deadlines. Let me not even delve into the perennial delays in infrastructure, where the construction of major infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges, often experience significant delays, with some projects taking years or even decades to complete or never completed.

The concept of “African time” in Nigerian politics and governance poses several challenges, we care less about the economic consequences of delays and inefficiencies, including lost productivity and revenue. The relaxed attitude towards time erodes trust in government institutions and officials, and how it leads to inefficient service delivery, including delayed or inadequate healthcare, education, and other essential services.

As Nigeria continues to modernize and integrate into the global economy, there is a growing recognition of the importance of punctuality and time management, I have seen the widespread use of digital technologies increasing awareness of time and promoting more efficient time management.

Interactions with people from other cultures have encouraged Nigerians to adopt more rigid time-keeping practices, Nigerians will still have a way of arriving at the airport late, but will seldom go for a VISA interview late and it speaks volumes.

To address the challenges posed by “African time,” it is essential to promote a culture of punctuality and respect for other people’s time. This can be achieved by implementing efficient systems and processes, fostering accountability, and encouraging citizens to prioritize punctuality.

In conclusion, “African time” is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that reflects Nigeria’s cultural heritage and historical context. While it presents challenges, it also painfully promotes flexibility, adaptability, and strong social relationships. By understanding and addressing the challenges posed by “African time,” Nigeria can promote a more efficient and effective governance system, ultimately benefiting its citizens and promoting economic growth and development.

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QNET’s Global Reach in 100+ Countries: What International Access Means for Local Distributors

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QNET

Global scale means market access and international supply chains. For individual distributors in direct selling, it can shape everything from product availability to income stability and long-term opportunity.

QNET, the multinational wellness and lifestyle direct selling company, positions its business model around that idea: connecting locally based independent distributors to an international operating platform. With activity spanning more than 100 countries, the company sits within a direct selling industry that, according to the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA), has stabilized after several relatively volatile post-pandemic years.

Global Reach Within a Stabilizing Industry

The WFDSA’s latest global report estimates worldwide direct selling retail sales at roughly $163.9 billion in 2024, essentially flat year over year. That flat performance, however, masks gradual improvement beneath the surface. Nearly half of reporting markets showed growth in 2024, and average market growth rates rebounded to positive territory.

The report estimates more than 104 million independent sales representatives globally in 2024, a figure that has remained largely stable year over year.

This stabilization sets a backdrop for companies like QNET. A global footprint is no longer about rapid expansion alone; it is increasingly tied to resilience: operating across regions with different economic cycles, consumer behaviors, and growth trajectories.

For distributors, this matters because opportunities extend beyond individual effort. They are often shaped by the health of the company’s broader channel and product reach.

A Platform Designed for Distributed Entrepreneurship

QNET’s model centers on local execution supported by centralized infrastructure. Products—ranging from nutritional supplements and wellness devices to home and lifestyle solutions—are sold through the company’s proprietary e-commerce platform. Independent distributors do not manage warehouses, shipment logistics, or customer service systems.

As Ramya Chandrasekaran, who heads communications at QNET, explained in a recent interview, the company views direct selling as a form of accessible “micro-entrepreneurship.” The idea is to reduce the operational burden typically associated with starting a business, allowing distributors to focus on product education, customer relationships, and market development.

Why Global Scale Changes the Distributor Equation

One practical benefit of international reach is product continuity. WFDSA data shows that wellness products account for roughly 29% of global direct selling sales, making it the largest category worldwide. In the Asia-Pacific region, the largest direct selling region by sales, wellness represents more than 40% of total category share.

QNET’s emphasis on wellness and lifestyle products places distributors in line with the strongest demand segments globally. Instead of relying on narrow local trends, distributors operate within product categories that have shown consistent global interest.

International scale also supports consistency in training, compensation structures, and digital tools. Distributors in different countries access identical back-end systems, tracking referrals, commissions, and orders through the same platform. This standardization reduces friction and uncertainty, particularly for individuals operating in markets where informal commerce is common.

Workforce Shifts

The WFDSA’s report highlights notable shifts in the global direct selling workforce. Women continue to make up more than 70% of participants worldwide, and representation among individuals aged 35 to 54 remains the largest cohort.

Independent Distributors increasingly value flexibility, long-term viability, and support systems that allow them to operate sustainably rather than aggressively scale. QNET’s emphasis on digital access, centralized operations, and gradual business building reflects those priorities.

For many participants, especially those balancing work with caregiving or other responsibilities, direct selling infrastructure offers a way to stay engaged at their own pace.

Training, Exposure, and Cross-Market Learning

QNET’s international conventions and training programs connect distributors across regions, creating informal networks for peer learning. Events that draw participants from dozens of countries expose distributors to varied approaches to sales, customer engagement, and market adaptation.

This mirrors one of WFDSA’s broader conclusions: direct selling increasingly functions as a global learning ecosystem, with companies providing tools and education that help individuals navigate uncertain economic conditions.

For distributors, exposure to cross-border experiences can recalibrate expectations, reinforcing that success often comes from steady engagement rather than rapid recruitment or short-term activity.

International Access, Interpreted Locally

Despite its global scale, QNET’s business ultimately plays out in local communities. Distributors adapt messaging around wellness, home quality, and lifestyle enhancement to cultural norms and household priorities. The international platform provides reach and structure, but relevance is built locally.

That balance, global systems supporting local relationships, defines much of modern direct selling. The WFDSA describes the industry not as a single growth story, but as a framework that can scale proportionally with economic conditions across regions.

For QNET distributors, international presence does not guarantee income or uniform outcomes. What it offers is access: to resilient product categories, standardized systems, training resources, and a global marketplace that extends beyond any single region. For local distributors navigating today’s uncertain global economic environment, that is an important foundation to maintain.

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FCCPC Unseals Ikeja Electric Headquarters

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Ikeja Electric

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has unsealed the headquarters of Ikeja Electric Plc in the Lagos State capital after a week under lock and key.

According to a statement on Friday, the electricity distribution company committed to a binding undertaking to comply with the remedial process following consumer rights violations.

The statement signed by Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the commission, Ikeja Electric undertook to resolve all consumer complaints referred to it by the FCCPC within agreed timelines

The headquarters was earlier sealed on December 11, 2025, because Ikeja Electric allegedly failed to comply with a directive by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to unbundle a Maximum Demand account into 20 individual accounts for a customer who had been without power for over two and half years.

The FCCPC noted that following the resolution, any breach of the undertaking would expose it to renewed and escalated enforcement action under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act.

Reacting, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, said the Commission’s intervention was necessary to enforce the provisions of the FCCPA (2018).

“Our responsibility is to ensure that consumers are treated fairly and that service providers comply with lawful decisions and directives. Enforcement is not an end in itself. Where compliance is achieved and credible commitments are made, the Commission will respond appropriately,” he said.

Clarifying further, Mr Bello said the outcome reflects the commission’s balanced approach to regulation.

“We intervene decisively where consumer harm persists, and we de-escalate where enforceable compliance is secured. What remains constant is our duty to protect consumers and uphold regulatory accountability,” he said.

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All On’s Clean Energy Access Transforms Over One Million Lives

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All On

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The decision by a leading impact investment company focused on expanding clean energy access, All On, to support over 50 clean energy businesses and provide grants and technical assistance to more than 80 enterprises in Nigeria is already yielding positive results.

This is because the organisation’s Impact Evaluation Report indicated that more than one million lives have been transformed through clean energy access.

The report covered from 2018 t0 2024 and it was discovered that the interventions of All On enabled the connection of over 230,000 households, businesses, and public facilities to reliable energy solutions, while strengthening the operational capacity of energy providers and improving affordability and service reliability for end users.

Prior to the commencement of All On’s operations in 2016, nearly half of Nigeria’s population lacked access to electricity, and the sector faced an estimated 92 per cent annual funding gap.

In response, the group adopted a bold, risk-tolerant strategy—deploying catalytic capital, innovative financing instruments, and ecosystem-building initiatives to unlock private sector participation and drive progress toward universal energy access.

Central to these achievements is All On’s holistic support model, which combines rigorous, tailored due diligence, deep sector expertise, and active ecosystem engagement.

This approach has positioned All On as a trusted partner capable of delivering both commercial viability and systemic impact.

Flagship initiatives such as the Demand Aggregation for Renewable Technology (DART) programme have further amplified results by reducing procurement costs for supported businesses by up to 50 per cent, enabling developers to scale faster and pass cost savings on to consumers due to access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions.

In the report, it was revealed that half of supported households reported improved air quality, enhanced safety, and reduced noise pollution, contributing to better health outcomes and improved quality of life, alongside measurable environmental benefits.

“This report confirms that our approach is delivering real results. By combining patient capital, technical assistance, and ecosystem support, we are enabling scalable and sustainable energy solutions for Nigeria’s unserved and underserved communities,” the chief executive of All On, Ms Caroline Eboumbou.

The company plans plans to scale proven models, strengthen local capacity, and expand its reach—particularly in underserved regions such as the Niger Delta.

“While the progress to date is encouraging, our work is far from done. As we look toward 2030, we remain committed to deepening our impact and creating even more meaningful connections across Nigeria,” Ms Eboumbou added.

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