Feature/OPED
Insecurity and Nigeria’s Circle of Chaos
By Jerome-Mario Utomi
A nation is held by shared beliefs and shared attitudes. That is what enables them to rise above the conflicts that plague any society. That is what gives a nation its tone, its fibre, its integrity, its moral style, and its capacity to endure.—John Gardner.
If there is any event in recent weeks in the country that aptly demonstrates the nation’s deteriorating security situation, exposes present administration’s failure since assuming office in May 2015, to live up to its promise to ensure respect and protect human rights and other constitutionally and internationally guaranteed human rights instruments, it is the recent brutal massacre of over 67 farmworkers in Zabarmari village, Jere Local Government Area of Borno State, northeast Nigeria by Boko Haram sect.
Expectedly, this development which its pains was deepened by the awareness that it was avoidable, elicited an array of reactions; heated debate, rising tempers, innumerable complaints, a deluge of ‘testimonies’ and voices regaling tales of mourning and woes.
While it brought about a renewed call by well-meaning Nigerians for the immediate sack of the services Chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on the other hand called on Mr President to resign for failure to combat increasing insecurity in the country.
The response to the distressing case did not end there as the members of the National Assembly also joined to close ranks against the thoughtless killing.
The upper chamber declared that the federal government had breached Section 14 (1), which made security and welfare the sole purpose of its existence.
Similar fury and outrage that reverberated in the House of Representatives propelled members to summon President Muhammadu Buhari to appear over the killing.
Indeed, as the rage, conflict and turmoil continue unabated with the country refusing to recover its equilibrium, it is important to add that for reasons, these reactions did not come as a surprise to this piece.
First and foremost, separate from the fact that Professor Ango Abdullahi led Northern Elders Forum (NEF), and other well-meaning Nigerian had earlier in the year warned that the current circumstances in the North clearly demonstrates that President Muhammadu Buhari has lost the capacity to end insecurity, Mr President in the opinion of this piece, has in the past 6years of his administration allowed himself become the primary reality people worry about, rather than reality being the primary reality.
To explain, by retaining without any evidence of improvement, the Service Chiefs that he earlier believed that their effort was not good enough, and against public outcries, this administration has shown a recipe for mediocrity or worse. This has further raised the belief among Nigerians with critical minds that there is something deeply troubling about the present government’s relationship with reason, its disdain for facts, and their lack of curiosity about any new information that might produce a deeper understanding of the security problems and other challenges that they are supposed to wrestle with on behalf of the country.
Another problem is that going by reports; the Nigerian security sector in the past six years has remained in a dire state. The situation has continued to deteriorate in the areas of poor funding, poor staffing, poor equipment and poor training. It cuts across all spectra of the security sector and has persisted despite Nigeria’s ratification of several treaties that advocates for the rights to adequate security of life and property and impose an obligation on the federal government to respect, protect and fulfil these responsibilities.
Consequently, while the rights to life of Nigerians at the moment are overtly inscribed in the nation’s 1999 constitution (as amended), the present security temperature in the country coupled with Mr President’s absence of political will to rewrite the narrative as lavishly promised in 2015, has covertly characterized these rights as a circle of chaos or worse still, an equation without meaning.
Life in Nigeria has not only lost its value under the present administration but quoting Thomas Hobbs, becomes nasty, brutish and short as the country has become a hotbed for all manners of violence.
Take for example, it is almost impossible to say anything that can console members of the bereaved families at this difficult hour to erase the degree of disappointments currently domiciled in their minds. Yes! They were disappointed by the same federal government that on August 20, 2019, while announcing the partial closure of Nigeria’s land borders with neighbouring nations reeled out how smuggling of rice and other communities from the neighbouring countries threatens the nation’s domestic rice production and frustrates the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Anchor Borrowers Programme while encouraging Nigerians to go into local rice production to help the nation to achieve the targeted self-sufficiency in rice production; a call these innocent Nigerians responded to with vigour and patriotism.
Now, the emphasis has shifted as the President spokesperson recently ‘thundered’ that murdered farmers did not seek permission/clearance from the military before going to the farm. What a response?
Also strange but expected is the argument by some commentators that instead of the military being vilified, and call for the sack of service chiefs, they ought to be appreciated and celebrated and then encouraged to do much more in serving the country as the Nigerian Army has been an important stakeholder and critical institution that has played a very significant and fundamental role in the continued sustenance of democracy in our country.
Well-considered but then, the truth must be told to the fact that while there is no doubt that the Nigerian Army has truly played significant roles, signs exist that in recent times, they appear to be more managed but under led.
Such example is signposted in their recent visit to the Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. Also as mentioned in a similar intervention recently, a few years ago, they were in south-eastern Nigeria where the people in tears watched the python dance.
At the south-south where the peace-loving Niger Deltans witnessed the ugly crocodile smile. But this ever available military were unfortunately unavailable when the innocent poor farmers in Zabarmari village needed their protection.
Against this backdrop, the questions may be asked; what is the wisdom behind keeping a security leadership that has successfully failed to provide safety/protection to the people that voted Mr President? Or keep a formation that whenever it pays a visit, it leaves in its trails sorrows, tears and blood?
While the answers to the above questions remain in the womb of time, it must be added that in the present circumstance, Nigerians are concerned about, and particularly not happy with the military-style of responding to present security challenges in the country.
Also rings apprehension is the belief by some reports that the federally controlled Nigeria Police Force (NPF) with about 371,800 officers, is endemically corrupt and outpaced by the manifold internal security challenges of a country with an estimated population of more than 200 million
Nigerians are indeed calling for security architecture that is rejigged, well-led and effectively managed in ways that respect rights of Nigerians and render future thoughtless killings impossible. They can no longer settle for claims without substance that Boko Haram has been technically defeated or the ‘traditional closed-door meeting of Mr President with Security Chief. Nigerians are indeed hungry for results.
Succeeding on this job will require President Buhari to acknowledge the present security challenge and growing mistrust between citizens and the government and get acquainted with those shared beliefs and shared attitudes that keep a nation together.
Above all, this administration must learn that globally, ‘a country’s defence capability has to continually upgrade as new technology, especially information technology, is incorporated into weapon systems. This requires a sound economy that can afford to pay for new weaponry and a highly educated and trained people who can integrate the various arms into one system and operate them efficiently and effectively’.
Jerome-Mario Utomi is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos.
Feature/OPED
From Struggle to Stability: How FinTech is Helping Nigerian SMEs Overcome Cash Flow Challenges
When Mrs Agbaje started her school in Ibadan twelve years ago, she didn’t envision a tech-enabled future. Her dream was simple—provide affordable, quality education to children in her community. For the most part, she made it work. But as the school grew, a new challenge took root. It wasn’t infrastructure. It wasn’t teacher retention. It was something far more basic: getting paid.
Each new term brings the same pattern. Parents promise to pay fees “by next week.” Some follow through. Many don’t. As the term wears on, Mrs Agbaje finds herself juggling spreadsheets, reminder texts, and awkward conversations in car parks or at school gates. Meanwhile, salaries must be paid, books restocked, diesel bought. More often than not, she dips into personal savings to keep things running.
Her story is common across Nigeria. Small businesses—whether they’re schools, salons, logistics firms, or cooperative groups—are constantly navigating the emotional and financial toll of delayed payments. And it’s not just a matter of inconvenience. A recent study by MacTay Consulting found that Nigerian SMEs wait between 60 to 120 days on average to receive payment for services or products already delivered. That kind of delay is more than a hiccup. It threatens livelihoods. It blocks growth. It’s a silent killer.
For Chuks, who runs a car hire service in Enugu, the issue is tied to his bigger corporate clients. They insist on “net 30” or “net 60” terms—industry-speak for “we’ll pay you in a month or two.” That might be manageable for a large fleet with strong cash reserves, but for someone like Chuks, every week matters. With fuel prices rising and maintenance bills stacking up, he’s often forced to park cars because he doesn’t have the cash to fix them—even when work is lined up.
What links these stories is the reality that small businesses operate in a system where money is constantly in motion but rarely on time. Customers often mean well, but their own financial instability creates a domino effect. And the existing tools to manage payments—handwritten ledgers, POS machines, WhatsApp reminders—were never designed for structure. They’re patched solutions to a systemic problem.
Even digital banking, for all its advancement in Nigeria, hasn’t solved this issue. Many SMEs still operate informally, managing finances through personal bank accounts or apps not tailored to business needs. The result is a messy web of follow-ups, reconciliations, and emotional strain. Business owners become debt collectors, chasing down what they’ve already earned, time and time again.
What’s often missed in conversations about entrepreneurship is just how deeply this problem cuts. Payment delays mean rent can’t be paid on time. It means holding off on hiring a new staff member, or letting go of a part-time assistant. It means saying no to growth opportunities, not because they’re not viable, but because the cash flow isn’t predictable enough to take the risk.
And when you zoom out, the implications are national. Small businesses make up over 90% of enterprises in Nigeria. They contribute nearly half of the country’s GDP and employ a significant portion of the workforce. Yet, their greatest enemy isn’t market competition—it’s irregular income. This is a structural inefficiency that deserves far more attention than it gets.
Slowly, however, change is beginning to show. A quiet revolution is underway—one where technology is stepping in not as a trend, but as a tool for financial stability. More SMEs are beginning to explore digital solutions that streamline payments and reduce friction between businesses and customers.
Among these solutions is PaywithAccount, a new tool launched by Nigerian fintech company OnePipe. Designed specifically for businesses with recurring payments—schools, cooperatives, service providers—it allows them to automate collections directly from customers’ bank accounts. With full consent and transparency, payments can be scheduled, reducing the need for repeated follow-ups or awkward reminders.
For Mrs Agbaje, this has made a significant difference. Parents receive structured payment plans, reminders go out automatically, and debits happen based on prior agreement. She now spends less time tracking who has paid and more time planning curriculum upgrades and engaging with teachers.
The benefit isn’t just financial—it’s emotional. When business owners don’t have to chase payments, they gain time, clarity, and confidence. They can plan ahead, restock inventory, or finally invest in that expansion they’ve put off for years. And for customers, the experience feels more professional, more trustworthy. Everyone wins.
Technology won’t solve every problem for Nigerian SMEs. But smart, well-designed financial tools are starting to remove some of the biggest roadblocks—quietly and effectively. And that’s the point. The best systems aren’t flashy. They work in the background, reducing stress, restoring dignity, and enabling business owners to focus on what truly matters.
For Ope Adeoye, founder of OnePipe, the issue is personal. “Every Nigerian knows someone who runs a business—a cousin, a friend, a neighbour. When they suffer from late payments, it affects whole families and communities. Fixing this isn’t just a business goal—it’s a social one.”
In a country as dynamic and entrepreneurial as Nigeria, the challenge is rarely about lack of ideas. It’s about systems that help those ideas survive. And one of the most overlooked systems is the way money flows—or fails to.
As more SMEs embrace tools that put payment on autopilot, a future of stability—rather than constant survival—starts to feel possible. And in a nation powered by small businesses, that kind of shift could move mountains.
By Olubunmi Aina
Many experts have highlighted the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the financial industry, and I would like to share my perspective on a key functional area that typically drives business growth and profitability— sales and business development professionals and how AI is impacting their work.
Sales and business development professionals are often regarded as the engine room of an organization, thanks to their eye for business opportunities, ideation and conceptualization, market engagement and penetration expertise.
AI is enabling sales and business development professionals to automate tasks, take meeting notes, analyze data, and personalize customer experiences, all of which are embedded within CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems. A CRM with an AI tool is what forward-thinking businesses are leveraging to manage leads, customer data, customer interactions, notify and remind professionals to take action when due, drive growth and profitability.
This is why it is crucial for these professionals to invest heavily in AI knowledge to remain globally competitive. This can be achieved through self-study, attending industry events, or consulting with leading technology companies that have embraced AI, such as Interswitch Group, AI In Nigeria, and Revwit.
Most importantly, to maximize the potential of AI, sales and business development professionals must pay close attention to customer interactions. and ensure they collect high-quality data. Feeding the data repository or CRM Systems with valuable insights and data from real customer engagement is key to getting AI to produce near accurate insight for effective results.
AI will continue to be a key driver of business growth and decision-making in the years ahead. If you are yet to embrace it, now is the time. Keep learning!
Olubunmi Aina is the Vice President, Sales and Account Management at Interswitch Group
Motherhood in Nigeria is a dynamic force fueled by strength, resilience, and unwavering love. As Mother’s Day approaches, we celebrate the women who carry the weight of their families and communities, often while nurturing their dreams. From bustling market traders to ambitious entrepreneurs, Nigerian mothers are a force to be reckoned with.
However, the reality is that balancing these roles can be incredibly challenging. The daily hustle, coupled with the rising cost of living, often leaves little time or resources for personal aspirations. This is where the digital marketplace and platforms like Temu are beginning to play a significant role, not just in Nigeria but globally.
For Stephanie, a Nigerian hair and beauty influencer navigating the demands of work and motherhood, the ease of online shopping became invaluable. She discovered that purchasing baby necessities, like baby high chairs from Temu, from the comfort of her home significantly simplified her life, granting her more time to dedicate to her family and professional pursuits.
Beyond convenience, digital platforms are also fueling entrepreneurial success for women. Caterina Tarantola, a mother of three, achieved the remarkable feat of opening her translation and interpretation office in just 15 days. Her secret weapon was also Temu. Initially skeptical of online shopping, she found it to be a personal advisor, providing everything from office furniture to decor, delivered swiftly and affordably. This kind of direct access is precisely what can empower many Nigerian mothers who strive to maximise their resources and time.
Similarly, Lourdes Betancourt, who left Venezuela to start a new life in Berlin, turned to Temu when launching her hair salon. By sourcing essential supplies directly from manufacturers, she avoided costly markups and secured the tools she needed to turn her vision into reality.
Since Temu entered the Nigerian market last November, more Nigerian mothers have embraced the platform to access quality, affordable products. By shopping online instead of spending hours at physical markets, they can reclaim valuable time for their businesses, families, and personal growth.
This shift reflects a global trend as consumers worldwide seek convenience and affordability. In response, Temu has rapidly grown into one of the most visited e-commerce sites and was recognized as a top Apple-recommended app of 2024.
The digital marketplace, while still developing in a place like Nigeria, presents a significant opportunity for empowerment. The progress made thus far highlights the tremendous potential for positive impact.
This Mother’s Day, we celebrate Nigerian mothers’ strength and adaptability. Like Stephanie, Caterina, and Lourdes, they are turning challenges into opportunities—building brighter futures for themselves and their families with the support of innovative online platforms like Temu.
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