The new Nigerian

The Nigerian of our founding fathers was an individual filled with the exhilaration of freedom from colonial rule and the hope for a better future. The exhilaration and hope for the future
were made possible by our brave fore-fathers who fought for and won independence for our nation after nearly half a century under the rule of our erstwhile colonial masters. But looking at the economic status and the educational background of the average Nigerian, it is clear that the promise for a better Nigeria, which it was hoped would be engendered by the good governance of indigenous Nigerian leaders who understood the unique needs of Nigerians better than our colonial masters, fell short of the mark.
The failed promise and ineffective leadership of some of these post independence leaders have shaped the current realities of today’s Nigerian, especially the Nigerian youth.
Permit me at this point to draw attention to some of these realities, which I have summed up in the acronym: FEAR
F (=) for Forsaken E (=) for Emotionally bankrupt A (=) for Anger and R (=) for Revival
It is most unfortunate that the bright future of the early 60s to 80s when leaders assumed political offices in their prime and first class students were head haunted by blue chip organisations while still in universities taking their final exams is no longer feasible today.
What we see in this present Nigeria is disillusionment in young adults between the ages of 25 and 35, an educational system that has gone prostrate and a rapidly declining economy with youths asking questions such as who am I? What is my purpose in life? And also, what future do I have in this country, Nigeria where political anarchy and gross disregard for human existence reigns supreme?
To address the hopelessness, doom and gloom comes the ‘R’ for revival in the earlier mentioned acronym FEAR. ‘R’ is the symbol for the hope of rebirth or re-invention. This hope comes both from within and beyond our borders, taking lessons from the gift of globalisation.
Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa said during his inaugural speech as Nigeria’s first Prime Minister on October 1, 1960, “In these days of rapid communications, we cannot live in isolation, apart from the rest of the world, even if we wished to do so.”
With the advent of globalization, the digital age has gained momentum. New ideas such as social networking, re-invention of business models and the age of the customer have exposed the average Nigerian to developmental opportunities and innovations that have the innovative and creative prowess of bringing about a new Nigeria that can compete on the global stage.
The influx of new ways of doing things and the flattening of the world into a global borderless village through technology has given today’s Nigerians the opportunity to take destiny into their own hands by recreating a future that supports growth in a world where policies are made to favour a few. The digital age has given a new lease of life to the free flow of information from country to country.
Technology has also redefined the face of businesses today, especially in Nigeria. Individuals who did not have any hope of a future have found a world where talent and creativity in a rapidly changing world is valued higher than the serial acquisition of academic certificates.
Youths have found an avenue of expression through the social media although some may argue that this is transient and an escapist approach to dealing with fundamental issues.
However, it is important to state here that most have found the true use of the social media. This goes beyond being a borderless village and an avenue to socialise to being a money-spinning platform. Through monetising the free flow of information and turning the art of blogging into a multi million-naira business, organisations such as Bella Naija have revolutionised the term digital media.
Among other opportunities that have opened up with the advent of the digital age is e-commerce. This has helped to create new entrepreneurs. The low entry threshold has made it possible for the average Nigerian who has access to a smartphone to start up an online business on platforms such as OLX and the recently launched Federal Government’s SME programme, NEDEP. Businesses through e-commerce can be assured of residual income. By operating a 24-hour business with an intelligent website that allows shopping online, anyone willing to apply themselves to the task of eking out a living in a hostile economy can make a decent living by selling locally manufactured goods to the international community.
To further shrink the global borders, the international payment portal giant PayPal recently launched in Nigeria having realised the immense business potential in Nigeria. Now, it is easier to buy and sell goods and services to organisations across the world especially in the US.
The telecommunication and banking sectors are also not exempt from the transformational influence that technology has brought and the immense business opportunities it affords the discerning individuals. Bank accounts can now be effortlessly opened on social platforms such as Facebook. Twitter has also given the customer the platform and power to cut through bureaucratic red tape by creating the enabling environment for customers to engage directly with product owners.
Social reforms and plaguing humanitarian issues such as the horrifying Ebola outbreak, the abduction of the Chibok girls and the continued anarchy prevalent in the North have been known to escalate to the international community in a matter of seconds through social platforms provided by the media such as i-report.
However, as appealing and revolutionary as the digital age has become, the use of digital platforms can be highly confusing and bewildering to the uninitiated. This is due to its rapidly changing nature. As fast as new technologies come into the market, newer apps and social platforms are following on their heels making redundant its perceived value.
It is important to only use the platform that suits the entrepreneur’s need. This knowledge can only come from understanding the core nature of technology.
There are so many choices of digital tools today: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Blogs, Wikis, Foursquare, LinkedIn, etc. Having the right strategy will help to save time, money and build credibility. Like everything in life, it is important to understand the reason behind a newly created social platform and its unique benefit.
The New Nigerian has been given the power and promise offered by technology to take control of his destiny. Information and opportunities abound, however, it requires a refined mind to distill and grasp its true benefits for the betterment of self and community.
Like the founding fathers of Nigeria, who had sheer grit, courage and confidence to challenge the realities of their time, this new Nigeria requires young men and women with heart, who believe in themselves and are willing to stand up and change the current realities they are facing; men and women who are not afraid to start up businesses that will offer employment to thousands, regardless of starting with only a great idea and zero capital.
The New Nigerian is one who cannot only survive but thrive in a rapidly changing world where everything is fast, and quick turnaround time is the hallmark of continuity.
The New Nigerian is, above all, courageous, involved, technologically savvy, humane and apolitical within the context of seeing the political office as a means to wealth creation.
Finally, to be successful in this entrepreneurial age, the New Nigerian must be dynamic and exhibit the ability to understand the language of the computer.
Sir Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, put it most eloquently,
“Whether we are fighting climate change or going to space, everything is moved forward by computers, and we don’t have enough people who can code. Teaching young people to code early on can help to build skills and confidence and energise the classroom with learning-by-doing opportunities. I learned how to fly a hot air balloon when I was 30,000 feet up and my life was in the balance: you can learn skills at any age but why wait when we can teach everyone to code now?”
I too learned how to transform my business by learning the language of the digital age, which is spoken in codes. The time is now. The opportunities abound.
Will you be the change? Will you be the new Nigerian to revolutionise our times?