A system that’s crude is ancient, simple, outdated and unsophisticated. Among all, the most unique feature that’s embedded in a crude system is attributed to its ancient and outdated nature.

Ancient, in the sense that, its emergence in the world could be traced to the making or creativity of the ancestors; outdated, meaning literally that its existence on earth is no longer in vogue or has been overtaken by events.

If a certain ongoing pattern, method or style – as might be the case – is truly ancient, then it’s high time it is dropped or jettisoned, because its progenitors wouldn’t be happy that their offspring haven’t been able to introduce another pattern into the system.

For instance, if I succeeded in inventing a certain system of life into a clime I belong to, I would strongly wish and pray that someday in the future my children or any of them would create another system.

In other words, every discerning mind seriously prays for succession because it is one of the basic features of progress. An individual or entity can only boast of progression when a new thing belonging to them emerges at intervals to their delight.

It’s appalling – and pathetic too – when realized that in Nigeria today, most individuals or groups still depend on crude ways of doing things in a century that has boldly and proudly welcomed a modern pattern of living or operation.

It becomes more disturbing and disheartening when observed that most people who address themselves as ‘professionals’ still make use of this crude pattern that ordinarily ought to have been eroded by the emergence of the ‘digital age’.

It’s noteworthy that the modern/digital age is synonymous with technology. Hence, for anyone to be fully part of the contemporary society, he/she must integrate him/herself into the tech world.

Individually or as a group, we must be ready to duly embrace this modern system of living in our respective fields of endeavour. We mustn’t continue to dwell in a retrogressive approach while addressing any plight that arises.

Nigeria as a country, in various areas of her economy, these crude measures are invariably deployed. On a daily basis, most sectors within the shores of the country suffer great neglect or ineptitude as a result of inability of the concerned authorities to imbibe modern methodology.

In the mining sector, for example, several solid minerals such as gemstones, metals and what have you, are abundant in different quarters of the Nigerian State. But most times, these minerals are still being dug from the earth crust via the use of crude techniques.

Also, owing to lack of mechanized techniques, whenever the minerals are acquired from the ground, they would be exported to the foreign nations as raw materials because they can’t be readily processed here. In the long run, the citizens would end up purchasing foreign-made products that ordinarily, should have been produced in the country. Such a practice is a shame, to assert the least, hence calls for a due review from the relevant bodies.

Even the oil and gas sector, where the country currently relies on, is experiencing such colossal neglect. The citizenry consistently purchases fuel and allied products, which were processed overseas, because the country lacks the required mechanized system known as refinery to carry out the processing as soon as they are drilled.

The agricultural sector isn’t left out. The country’s farmers, particularly the commercial ones, still participate in farming via crude patterns. The four major segments in the agric wing, namely, cultivation, harvest, processing and storage, are yet to be fully carried out with the aid of a mechanized system.

A particular farm produce, when aptly processed, could provide a variety of foods in the markets or on the table. It’s worth noting that many of the products possess this fantastic quality. But, regrettably, it’s often being exported as a single commodity, thereby causing the country to lose several millions of naira on a regular basis.

Nigeria’s education and health sectors are also suffering from this plight or phenomenon. The old ways of teaching or impaction of knowledge are still being deployed in the various citadels of learning therein. That’s the reason most of the students are still, or still finding it difficult, to key into the Information Technology (IT) world.

In most hospitals or health centres across the federation, outdated instruments cum laboratory equipment still dominate the arena, hence making it impossible for the practitioners to perform their duties effectively and efficiently as required.

What about the country’s public service system? It’s indeed saddening that a sector of this kind, that’s densely characterized with highly learned individuals, is still dwelling in the past. Just a peep into the said domain would make you gush fathomless tears.

The list is obviously endless as regards the sectors that still adore the crude pattern of operation within the shores of the country. This is why the governments must act fast and genuinely if they are truly ready to get it right or move in the more deserved direction.

Though the choice is theirs, they must comprehend that as long as this custom lingers, they will continue to deprive themselves of a milestone that’s liable to positively turn the country’s economy around in its entirety. This is the reason actions are required to be expedited without further ado.

The situation has conspicuously gone out of hand that a stringent measure is needed towards addressing it headlong. The deplorable state of Nigeria’s various institutions and sectors, due to the continual use of crude pattern, is seriously in need of a candid and strict approach if she must progress headlong.

It’s high time the existing orientation is changed by facing the realities of the day squarely at all cost. The leaders need to unequivocally challenge themselves by understanding that technology has come to stay, hence ought to be seen as the only pattern in vogue.

They must key into the most reigning and acceptable methods by jettisoning the ones that are obsolete, or have been overtaken by events, by throwing them into the waste bin where they rightly belong. This is the only and best way the country can forge ahead for the good of all.

There should be strong legislation regarding this clarion call. There’s need for a comprehensive legislative backing with a view to fully embracing tech-driven policies and measures in most of the country’s public sectors. This will surely go a long way in tackling the menace.

It’s even amusing, and shocking too, to realize that the country’s legislative chambers still deliberate their plenaries with the aid of mere crude methodology. It’s painful to acknowledge that, at the moment, the institutions that are constitutionally imbued with the powers to come up with the required legal backing as proposed above are yet to embrace modern techniques or mechanized pattern. It’s really astonishing, to say the least.

We can only end this glaring self-deceit by understanding that the benefits inherent in any technologically-approach system are unquantifiable, thus cannot be overemphasized. It enables work to be done so easily and swiftly, thereby saving time, energy, cost, and what have you.

In different quarters, it has been reliably proven that systems that are tech-driven or mechanized often boast of greater efficiency in performance, productivity strength, and output, among others. More so, it has been observed to be result-oriented when compared to the crude ones.

Even though you would spend more funds to acquire – or migrate to – a mechanized system, the interesting truth remains that in the long run, you stand to make several more millions of the money invested. This is a fact we must embrace in earnest.

Isn’t it time we make our ancestors proud by letting them comprehend that we are really progressing, since progress remains their only prayers for us? 

If the growth of a nation is to be personified, then a tree would be a proper fit. So, it is good we look at this set of living things to gain wisdom on how they navigate their path. Firstly, for there to be a tree there has to be a seed, and this seed must be buried in soil before it encounters the richness of the soil for its growth. The Ideas are the seeds and the people in the geographical location are the soil. However, whilst growing these ideas must be managed as they take root in the soil. This leads to pruning.

Pruning is a process of taking away parts which would not be helpful so it can be more productive. By the way, you can only prune a growing tree. However, this pruning could be deceptive, because to the tree it looks like another death since it is painful, however it’s not rather an agro process of making it produce much better yield.

Christianity holds this, John 15: 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more (New Living Translation).

All this is about the China service space. The crackdown is a pruning process for communal goals. However, as the crackdown of Asia’s largest market China continues, it’s expected with great certainty that resources ( Humans, and Capital) would find their way into Africa. It would be done as a cover measure by firms who wish to see a surge in their annual turn over. Whilst largely the actions of the regulatory bodies are seen as vindictive communist command to put China’s beloved Alibaba Founder in line, this actions undisputable holds value. Indeed, no man, either good or bad should not be too big else he competes with the gods. Men rarely live humbly.

Also, it must be understood that humans are creatures of greed and possess within themselves the potential to do anything to be satisfied. By the way that is the whole essence of economics- finding ways to make the limited resource satisfy needs at scale. Regulators just make sure that limited resources do not concentrate on few, it’s the prosperity of all that matters. This human negative tendencies creates the need for Accountability.

But this incident offers a bright side. It is said in Western Nigeria that, “Omo buruku lojo ti e”, translated, ” Even a bad child has days of relevance”. This crack down holds massive value if it could be managed wisely.

The Tech Investors (Service) should route the same path their manufacturing counterpart did when China was dense. They should come down to Africa.

Although I am skeptical of Nigeria and other big goons in terms of attracting funds for startup due to dynamic regulatory issues- it may not appear so but if heavy cash comes in, then we would see zealous regulations. Regulations in the big goons may be slow because they copy but it’s always dynamic and harsh- Tough love. Nevertheless, it would be largely for all, especially the vast untapped market.

Whilst in the past Africa witnessed massive funds go to limited areas. This has the potential to grow the tech service sector in other parts thus helping in the unification of the country thereby aiding the implementation of Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). I expect Asia investors to go to a less regulated region- Tanzania- of the continent capitalizing on their little advancement in knowledge against the backdrop of impressive development.

Updated with: So, since the thought of the coming of Asians is materializing has seen with Softbank investment in Opay and Didi vacancy, it expedient we look into the players that would make this a smooth sail: The Regulators, Investor and Tech Entrepreneur.

The Tech Entrepreneurs

There is a western Nigeria proverb that goes, “Ayo ló n pá ??yán” , this is translated to mean it is excessive unguarded joy that kills a man not hardship! This joy certainly comes from the realization of a blessing. For the sake of perspective: If there is anything, most third world battles aside, bad leadership is the resource curse- a situation where abundance of resources brings poor development as compared to the expected enormous prosperity. And since the funds coming here are to help make industrialization attainable it is good we escape silly mistakes by handling the excitement with moderation.

This may seem misplaced, however if you look closely there are tech firms who spend lavishly as soon as they encounter cash because of their immaturity due to early exposure to large cash. From Wework’s fiasco to Wirecard fraud, Car45 ruins(a working dead firm), Uber slips not forgetting the shameful fall of Archegos- which is a red flag that stupidity still exists amongst humans- insider information reveals that lack of character accounts for all this collapse. So personal values of founding members must remain central if longevity is a thing of priority.

The Tech Investors

Undoubtedly, the coming of this firm into this space is not for charity, if they wanted they could do it to their kinsmen, rather it’s explosive growth from an urge to be so big that the touch sky and last till the end of time, largely something impossible! This explosive growth regardless of its loftiness comes with the possibilities of unrealistic expectations which may trigger them engaging in corporate practice which are far worse than what orchestrated their voyage.

The Regulators

Undeniably these men are the working fluid in this system and should be very careful as to how they set up policies- not too soft else’s they would create a situation where they would have to undo later and not too hard else they would drive away investment. It knows that coping is much easier than creating however we have. to be very dynamic with our backwardness else we would lose out on this window of opportunities.