By Dipo Olowookere
The need for Nigerians to review/develop financial plans that will be in tune with the current realities has been emphasised by a renowned fund manager.
The Managing Director of EDC Fund Management Limited, a subsidiary of Ecobank Group, Mr Olufela Popoola, while speaking at an Ecobank Webinar held in Lagos last week, joined others to note that Nigerians must move from the realm of denial, anger and accept the reality of the ‘new normal’ occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic by properly articulating their goals and developing a financial plan based on available resources.
At the event themed Personal financial stability in a changing environment: achieving balance in the new normal, he pointed out that though commodity prices were stabilizing and stock markets were recovering globally, Nigeria was in recession mode with increasing inflation, pressure on the exchange rate and increased government borrowings.
He posited that individuals and businesses should worry less about the current realities, but start to think differently as they positively forge ahead.
Specifically, for individuals, he said it was time to carefully review their life’s goal and objectives and thereby; review/develop a financial plan, align this plan to the current financial realities and their expected future resources and ensure that these plans become a reality by having structured investment programmes to achieve same.
He submitted that, “To adapt and stabilise, rethink your business culture. Focus more on goals, not (necessarily) processes, listen more to customers and respond quicker, change working style –flexibility, study what competition is doing –be more professional, improve internal communication & information sharing and change working conditions to be more employee-oriented.
“This is not the time to procrastinate. Don’t think you have too little or too many funds to start a plan, but rushing to start an investment may not be the best for now.
“You need to consider risk, returns and time horizons. As a matter of fact, this is the time to speak to experts like us at the EDC Fund management. Investment options and plans include corporate bonds, government securities, private equity, Eurobonds, life insurance, real estate, commercial papers, and managed portfolio, among others.”
Another speaker at the programme, Mr Okey Okere, who is the Country Manager of Hofstede Insights Nigeria, made a case for people to rethink their lifestyle and business culture to adapt and stabilise under the ‘new normal’.
According to him, “there are countless speculations about changes to the whole world as we know it, but we can’t really tell how COVID-19 will change the world forever, what the ‘new normal’ will eventually be, how long it will last and the impact on the world, Nigeria, businesses and our personal finances. But one thing is sure, we need to make changes.”
Mr Okere listed the businesses that that are making gains despite COVID-19 pandemic as ICT services, e-commerce companies, personal care products, agriculture, food retailers and local delivery companies, adding that sectors such as aviation and shipping, consulting and professional services, education, financial services, manufacturing (non-essentials), real estate, automobile, and others are negatively impacted.
He counselled businesses to focus more on goals and not necessarily processes, listen more to customers and respond quicker, change working style, study what competition is doing, improve internal communication and information sharing and change working conditions, stressing that if the effects of the pandemic hurts too badly, there might be need to wind down the business entirely.
The Ecobank Webinar series is an initiative of Ecobank Consumer Banking Segment aimed at deepening conversation on the new normal for businesses and how an individual can harness new opportunities in the face of COVID-19.
