General
In Nigeria, Still 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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;
- Flexible Schedules: Government meetings, events, and even court proceedings often start late, with attendees trickling in at their own pace.
- Delayed Decision-Making: The flexible attitude towards time can lead to delayed decision-making, as officials may not feel pressured to meet deadlines.
- Inefficient Bureaucracy: The concept of “African time” can contribute to an inefficient bureaucracy, where tasks are completed at a slower pace.
- Lack of Accountability: The relaxed attitude towards time can make it challenging to hold officials accountable for their actions and decisions.
- 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.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Celebrated broadcaster with Arise TV, Mrs Ayo Mario-Ese, has charged women to be open to collaboration and not limit themselves.
The charming media personality was one of the panellists at the UBA Business Series themed Introducing Gen W – The Evolved Woman, held at the UBA House in Lagos last Thursday.
At the event moderated by popular actor, Mr Tobi Bakre, the Morning Show anchor on Arise TV expressed worry about females who are usually laidback about speaking up and sharing their achievements, and said that women need to own their stories.
“A lot of women are doing phenomenal work and are sometimes afraid of showcasing what they are doing. As an evolved woman, you have to find out what you are comfortable doing, create your own unique offering, and also be open to collaboration,” she submitted.
Another panellist, Ms Joycee Awosika, described an evolved woman as one who has awareness of who she is.
“That woman does not need to ask to sit at the table; she is creating her own table and adding value. As your company is growing, you must grow too, and always do an audit of where you need to become a better leader,” the energy economist stated.
For a digital entrepreneur, Ms Tomike Adeoye, the question of what a woman is bringing to the table has now become obsolete, as the evolved woman is now bringing their own table.
“She is now more vocal about their struggles, setting the standards, and she is not ready to give up on her dreams,” she declared.
For the founder of Fine-Funky, Ms Olufunke Davies, she remarked that, “Creating unique designs that are affordable remains my driving force and something that has helped me grow as an evolved woman.”
In her remarks, the Group Head for Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications at UBA, Ms Alero Ladipo, said, “Raising each woman is actually not that hard, because everyone has their community as well as their story; and so as women, we need to take a position so that we can give to others.”
She said the Gen W platform of the lender is dedicated to the evolved woman, adding, “Through expert insights, real stories, and practical resources, the platform connects women who are building brands, creating businesses, growing careers, and leading across industries. They also have access to a plethora of discounted products and loans. The best part: it is open to every woman. No UBA account needed. This is Gen W, for the evolved woman.”
This edition of the UBA Business Series was hosted to mark International Women’s Month.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, destroying a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepting suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar.
The Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, revealing that personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation Delta Sentinel, destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.
He said the action followed credible intelligence that a previously dismantled illegal refining site had resumed operations.
According to him, an Anti–Crude Oil Theft (Anti-COT) team deployed to the location discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been reconstructed.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of additional refining equipment and storage facilities containing about 3,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.
Mr Folorunsho added that the illegal refining infrastructure—including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining—was destroyed in line with operational procedures.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, in another operation, intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) area in Calabar, Cross River.
He said the interception was based on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval patrol team, according to him, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility.
“On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured,” he said.
The official said further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans, which had been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with extant regulations.
He noted that the successes aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The captain reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation Delta Sentinel through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.
Search Engine Optimization isn’t what it used to be.
Gone are the days of stuffing keywords, buying random backlinks, and expecting overnight rankings. Today, SEO is a sophisticated blend of technical precision, content authority, brand positioning, and strategic digital PR.
At RiseGrower.com, we’re launching with one mission:
To help brands grow through ethical, scalable, authority-driven SEO.
This isn’t just another SEO agency. This is the next evolution of ranking strategy.
🌍 SEO in 2026: What Has Changed?
Search engines—especially Google—have become dramatically smarter.
Modern ranking systems analyze:
- Topical authority
- Content depth and expertise
- User engagement signals
- Link quality (not quantity)
- Brand credibility
- Search intent satisfaction
SEO today is no longer about “gaming the algorithm.” It’s about becoming the most trusted answer in your industry.
That’s where RiseGrower comes in.
🚀 What RiseGrower.com Is Built For
We specialize in performance-focused SEO strategies designed to:
- Increase organic traffic
- Improve high-intent keyword rankings
- Strengthen domain authority
- Build sustainable backlink profiles
- Turn search visibility into revenue
Our approach combines:
- Advanced technical SEO audits
- Strategic content architecture
- Authority guest posting campaigns
- White-hat link acquisition
- On-page optimization
- Data-driven reporting
We don’t chase vanity metrics. We build growth systems.
🧠 Our Philosophy: Authority Wins
Search engines reward expertise and trust.
That’s why our strategy centers around three pillars:
1️⃣ Topical Authority
We help brands dominate entire keyword clusters—not just single keywords.
2️⃣ Editorial Authority
Through high-quality guest posting on real industry publications, we build contextual backlinks that move rankings safely and effectively.
3️⃣ Technical Excellence
From crawl optimization to structured data, we ensure search engines fully understand and prioritize your content.
🔥 Why Most SEO Strategies Fail
Many businesses struggle with SEO because:
- They focus only on backlinks without strategy
- They publish content without search intent research
- They ignore technical site health
- They chase short-term wins instead of long-term growth
SEO is not a trick.
It’s a system.
RiseGrower builds systems.
📊 Our Approach Is Data-Driven
Every campaign starts with:
- Competitive analysis
- Keyword gap research
- Link profile audit
- SERP intent mapping
We analyze what’s ranking—and why.
Then we engineer a strategy that outperforms it.
🏢 Who We Work With
RiseGrower is built for ambitious brands:
- SaaS companies
- eCommerce brands
- Agencies
- Startups
- Enterprise businesses
- Niche industry leaders
If your goal is sustainable organic growth, you’re in the right place.
⚖️ White-Hat SEO Only
We believe in:
- Real editorial placements
- Ethical outreach
- Genuine authority building
- Search engine compliance
We do not use:
- Private Blog Networks (PBNs)
- Spammy link schemes
- Automated backlink tools
- Manipulative ranking shortcuts
Long-term growth requires integrity.
📈 The Rise of Performance-Based SEO
The future of SEO isn’t “deliverables.”
It’s measurable outcomes.
At RiseGrower, we align our strategy with:
- Ranking milestones
- Traffic growth targets
- Lead generation goals
- Revenue impact
Because rankings are only valuable if they drive business growth.
🌟 What Makes RiseGrower Different?
We blend:
- SEO strategy
- Digital PR
- Authority guest posting
- Content intelligence
- Conversion-focused thinking
We don’t just improve rankings.
We build market leaders.
🔮 The Future of Search
AI-generated content is flooding the internet. Competition is rising daily.
Search engines will increasingly reward:
- Authentic expertise
- Brand mentions
- Trusted backlinks
- Valuable long-form content
- Real-world credibility
The brands that invest in authority now will dominate tomorrow.
RiseGrower was created for that future.
🚀 Launching Soon
RiseGrower.com is preparing to launch with a clear promise:
Growth through strategic SEO authority.
If you’re ready to:
- Outrank competitors
- Scale organic traffic
- Build long-term visibility
- Turn search into revenue
We’re ready to grow with you.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn