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Nigeria’s Forgotten and Fallen: Power, Politics, and Fame

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By Prince Charles Dickson, PhD

In Nigeria’s complex socio-political landscape, there exists a phenomenon often overshadowed by the glitz and glamour of political power and fame—the plight of the forgotten men.

These individuals, once wielders of influence and authority, find themselves relegated to the sidelines of society’s collective memory once their time in the spotlight fades. This essay explores the fallacy of power, politics, and fame in Nigeria, emphasising the transient nature of these constructs and the tendency of Nigerian politicians to fade into obscurity once they lose their grip on power.

Power, in its various manifestations, is often perceived as the ultimate prize in Nigeria’s political arena. Let me explain briefly and with a smile. I say if you don’t know, you can know. In Nigeria, a governor is entitled to some mysterious, humongous amount of money called security votes; sadly, in most states, no one is secure. That same governor amongst the humble ones are those that are privileged to have at least 20 advisors; some have been known to have as many as 500 advisors with designations ranging from Special Advisers to Senior Special Advisers, this is for offices that already have commissioners and,  in some cases, also personal assistants and advisers.

I have excluded the retinue of security aparachik, the Nigerian politician who, while in office, does not do any work and pays literally for nothing. I am not discussing the cost of governance, but the opulence of governance.

Politicians invest significant resources and effort into acquiring and maintaining power, viewing it as a means to attain wealth, prestige, and influence. However, the reality is that power is ephemeral, subject to the whims of electoral cycles, shifting political alliances, and the unpredictable tides of public opinion. Nigerian history is replete with examples of once-powerful politicians who have fallen from grace, their names consigned to the annals of history as mere footnotes in the country’s political narrative. I will come back to this before I drop my pen!

Politics, too, is characterised by its transient nature in Nigeria. The pursuit of political office is often driven by personal ambition rather than a genuine desire to serve the public good. Nigerian politicians engage in cutthroat tactics to ascend the political ladder, forming alliances of convenience and betraying erstwhile allies to achieve their goals. The AD-PDP-ANPP-CPC-AA-APC phenomenon, where a politician has belonged to all these political parties in barely two decades of power.

However, once in power, many politicians prioritise self-interest over the welfare of the people, using their positions to amass wealth and consolidate their grip on power. Consequently, when their tenure ends, they are swiftly cast aside by the electorate, their promises forgotten, and their legacies tarnished by allegations of corruption and malfeasance.

Similarly, fame in Nigeria’s political arena is fleeting. Politicians bask in the adulation of the masses during their time in office, enjoying the trappings of power and the privileges afforded to them by their positions. However, once their tenure ends, they find themselves relegated to the margins of society, their once-glittering reputations tarnished by scandals and controversies. The Nigerian public, ever fickle in its affections, quickly moves on to the next political sensation, consigning yesterday’s heroes to the dustbin of history.

So, do we remember the governor who fought with his deputy and was eventually impeached for owning poultry? How about that governor that became a governor because the owner of the seat went on to become a vice president? He has been trying every electoral circle to get the big prize. The last I heard of him was that he was the leader of the Association of Former PDP Ex-Governors.

There is another one I know, in fact a woman, and trust me, in Nigeria, forget all that noise about gender equality. I tell you, our women have not done badly. I know that she was a councillor in the 70s, a commissioner in the 80s, a minister in the 90s and 20s, and even doubled as a deputy governor, and was still a minister a year ago. I don’t recall where she is now.

There is one, a big masquerade; he was all over the place; he always gifted you a statue of yourself if he was pleased with you; his home state has been unfortunate in governance, from a palm wine tapper to the current one, lovingly called in the past, the Supreme Court Governor.

There was this other one in a state in the North; at some point he was in the senate, and his wife was equally in the House of Representatives; he had been governor, and at some point the wife was a minister of state for foreign affairs. This is just a little click of a mouse between “me and my family group of big political office holders,”  a conglomerate of fathers in power, wives in power, and family members in power simultaneously.

They come with all kinds of slogans, from engineering to re-engineering, redemption to redeemer; they had their caps like the kwankwansia, in all colours, but they all faded with time, and in many cases, no legacy. I was talking the other day about Mallam Kachalla, and someone asked me who he was—the one-time governor of Borno, now a man from yesterday.

Another was and is the man who was popularly called SAS; he was party chairmen of two different parties and has belonged to four at my last count. These days have lasted a whole six months with no mention of his name in the papers.

Where is Adamu Mauzu? Where is Ambode? George, I am not sure where our one-time VP under Jonathan is. He is a very nice man, but nowhere to be found. Where are Rochas Okorocha, Achike Udenwa, Babagida Aliyu these days, Boni Haruna, or Mimiko? I remember the most handsome governor in that class, that Cross River dude, a very nice guy with his saxophone. My friend who left his state better than he met it…

Where is Suswan, and these days one hardly hears from his successor Ortom? What does Imoke do, and even a handful of the most current of them are fading? Where is the professor of big-sounding budget names? Ben Ayade and Rotimi Amaechi are now barristers, and I will hopefully drop by his chambers one of these days.

My dear friends Isa Yuguda, Danjuma Goje, Hashidu, and Orji Theodore, and Ipeazu, are all silent these days, and indeed the silence is loud, extremely loud, as their times are fading away. Life is in phases, whether minister, legislator, or head of some important parastatal, slowly we forget you all.

In conclusion, Nigeria’s forgotten men serve as a poignant reminder of the fallacy of power, politics, and fame in the country’s socio-political landscape. While politicians may wield considerable influence during their time in office, their power is transient, and their legacies are ephemeral. The true measure of a leader lies not in the pomp and circumstance of political office but in the enduring impact they have on the lives of the people they serve. As Nigeria continues its quest for democratic consolidation and socio-economic development, it is imperative that its leaders prioritise the public good over personal gain, lest they too be consigned to the ranks of the forgotten men. May Nigeria win!

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Collaboration Made Easy Using a Work Management Platform

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Firas Jadalla Genetec

By Firas Jadalla

Effective collaboration between security operators, teams, and other departments is essential for the smooth functioning of any organization. However, as organizations grow in complexity, it becomes increasingly challenging for teams to coordinate. Factors such as staffing shortages, high turnover rates, and outdated collaboration tools exacerbate these challenges.

When staff rely on multiple disconnected tools for dispatch, reporting, and task tracking, operations often become fragmented, leading to delays and gaps in communication. In critical areas like safety and security, these inefficiencies can have serious consequences.

Work management solutions bridge these gaps by managing, tracking, and documenting activities, streamlining processes, and fostering real-time collaboration. Built specifically for security teams, these solutions enhance communication, boosts productivity, and improves overall operational efficiency through workflow automation.

Organizations in Africa and the Middle East operate in high-security environments where seamless collaboration is essential. A robust work management platform enables swift response and coordination across complex operational landscapes.

This growing need for integration is driving more organizations to align their security and IT departments. According to a recent Genetec report, 78% of end users in the META region indicate that these departments now work collaboratively, reflecting a shift toward a more unified security approach.

Overcoming barriers to effective collaboration

Over time, many organizations accumulate a patchwork of databases, spreadsheets, and standalone systems to communicate, create reports, and track activities. Some still rely on outdated paper-and-pen processes, which aren’t only time-consuming but also prone to errors. These disjointed methods hinder information sharing and coordination.A digital work management platform consolidates these fragmented systems, offering teams a unified view of activities accessible on both desktop and mobile devices. To take full advantage of their security system data, security teams need to consider more than a generic work management solution.

An ideal work management solution for security teams should accommodate security activities such as guard tours, patrols, and maintenance inspections. It should also seamlessly integrate with existing security systems. For instance, a video operator should be able to create a work request with an attached camera snapshot and route it to the appropriate team in just a few clicks. To ensure trustworthy audits and reporting, the work management system should be built with strong cybersecurity measures and ensure that data can’t be manipulated after the fact by applying blockchain principles.

Benefits of work management systems

Implementing a work management system can transform security operations in several ways:

  • Improved Communication: Teams gain real-time visibility into task progress, responsibilities, and pending assignments. Updates and alerts can be shared seamlessly to request assistance or provide situational awareness.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Every team member contributes to shared goals rather than isolated tasks. Custom API integrations can connect with other systems, such as employee apps, further fostering teamwork.
  • Time Savings: Built-in reporting tools automate activity logs and compliance audits, freeing up time for other critical tasks.
  • Operational Efficiency: Routine tasks, incident management, and resource tracking are streamlined. Tasks are assigned to personnel with the appropriate skills, tools, and knowledge, ensuring readiness and precision.
  • Workflow Automation: Automations simplify recurring tasks, such as setting reminders, generating reports, or notifying team leads when new requests are added.
  • Resource Optimization: Features like work ticketing and asset management enable efficient resource allocation and management of internal and external requests.
  • Mobile Support: Field officers benefit from mobile apps that enhance situational awareness, communication, and access to standard operating procedures on the go.

Today, governments in Africa, for instance, are heavily investing in smart security solutions as part of their national digital transformation strategies. A centralized work management platform not only supports these efforts but also helps businesses align with evolving security regulations, ensuring compliance and streamlining reporting processes.

Tips for successful implementation

Every organization has unique workflows, so selecting a customizable work management system is crucial. It’s important to choose a solution that’s customizable and intuitive to minimize the need for extensive training.Integration is another key factor.

A platform that deeply integrates with your existing security ecosystem provides a cohesive view of operations and eliminates the need for manual data transfers or redundant processes.A well-designed work management system can break down silos, empower teams, and boost efficiency. To ensure a successful deployment, adopt a lean and agile approach: start small and gradually incorporate more features as your team becomes comfortable with the platform.

With initiatives like Kenya’s Konza Techno City, Nigeria’s Eko Atlantic City and Abuja Centenary City, organizations are increasingly integrating AI-driven security and IoT-enabled monitoring into their operations. A work management platform with automation capabilities supports these advanced security frameworks.

Firas Jadalla is the regional director for Middle East, Turkey & Africa at Genetec Incorporated

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From Struggle to Stability: How FinTech is Helping Nigerian SMEs Overcome Cash Flow Challenges

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From Struggle to Stability

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.

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How AI is Revolutionizing Sales and Business Development for Future Growth

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Olubunmi aina

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

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