As we close registration for the 4th edition of Tekedia Mini-MBA on March 3rd,  we are excited to welcome Convexity, and the amazing team led by Adedeji Owonibi, to Tekedia Institute. Convexity is a modern company; it works in the domain of blockchain. They help firms study and build next generation suited blockchain solutions, making it possible for companies to launch more powerful solutions, with embedded security and compliance infrastructure.

The most exciting thing about Convexity? It has just set up a Blockchain Hub in Nigeria for innovators. Welcome to Tekedia Institute. Welcome to the best school. We will co-learn and co-learn, and advance the wealth of nations.

Photo: from Convexity Hub

There was a deep conversation during Tekedia Live today on Category-King – a company which has built or acquired leverageable factors to dominate a business category within its sector. For example, Facebook is a category-king in human social connection within the broad social media sector. Google is a category-king in web search. 

Dangote Cement is a category-king in Nigeria’s cement sector. Indomie Noodles is a category-king in the noodles sector. I have also used sector-king when a company becomes dominant within its sector when the category equates to a sector.

To become an enduring category-king in your business sector, you must possess these four characteristics. With these four features, the firms build moats to protect their castles.

• Perceptively innovative: you are always innovating. You never rest, always pushing for better products, services and experiences. You outperform competitors with new solutions for unmet needs.
• Evidently inspired: you inspire your users. You are modern, trustworthy and inspirational, you have a larger purpose, helping people live out their own values and beliefs.
• Ruthlessly pragmatic: your customers depend on you and you have their backs, making life easier by delivering consistent experiences. You make good on your promises.
• Customer obsessed: customers cannot imagine living without you. You know what matters to customers, finding new ways to meet their most important needs.

*inspired by Brand Prophet Index

The Nigerian Naira falls to N410 per US dollar, officially. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor noted:  “In order to adjust for the decrease in supply of foreign exchange, the naira depreciated at the official window from N305/$ to N360/$ and now hovers around N410/$.” 

If you look at that statement, you will agree that Nigeria is in a vicious circle. Yes,  our inability to reform our economic structures has muted the comparative advantages within the nation. So, just like that, a nation of extremely brilliant people, is lost, with no national vision to galvanize economic vibrancy and growth towards a hopeful future.

With political stasis evident everywhere, Nigeria is at a crossroads, and nothing can fix this paralysis until Nigeria decides to produce things it could sell internationally or substitute some it currently imports. But with the banks not lending at scale (not entirely their fault), and economic restructuring that will bring intra-state competition, to boost productivity and efficiency, not happening anytime, Nigeria’s only core hope is that Aliko Dangote’s refinery business will rise.

Yes, Nigeria waits for Dangote because only him has a credible roadmap to change the economic trajectory of his nation. His position today is very vital and critical because he could be the only cousin to make Naira stronger. Naira looks like an orphan with no one helping it to compete globally. Dangote will come to assist it to find its space in the league of global currencies. Across human history, nations rise when pioneering entrepreneurs emerge. The moment of truth is here – and Naira needs pioneers in markets to save it from the ruins of the scale of Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina and even Zimbabwe, at different times of their histories.

I have written extensively on Dangote’s positioning in my book – The Dangote System. I have also accepted an invitation to meet the business legend in Nigeria anytime I make it home. Certainly, it may be a while since I have no plan to fly until they have solved the last case of Covid-19! 

Saving the Nigeria

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has noted that Dangote Refinery will possibly sell refined crude to Nigeria in naira when it begins operations. When that happens, Nigeria will save about 41% of its foreign exchange, currently expended on the importation of crude oil products. That 41% will give a breathing space for Naira and that could be a turning point for the nation.

Emefiele said, ”Based on agreement and discussions with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the oil companies, the Dangote Refinery can buy its crude in naira, refine it, and produce it for Nigerians’ use in naira.

“That is the element where foreign exchange is saved for the country becomes very clear. We are also very optimistic that by refining this product here in Nigeria, all those costs associated with either demurrage from import, costs associated with the freight will be totally eliminated.

“This will make the price of our petroleum products cheaper in naira. If we are lucky that what the refinery produces is more than we need locally you will see Nigerian businessmen buying small vessels to take them to our West African neighbours to sell to them in naira.

“This will increase our volume in naira and help to push it into the Economic Community of West African States as a currency.”

Emefiele was confident that the refinery would be completed by the first quarter of 2022, adding that this would put an end to the issue of petrol subsidy in the country.

He said, “I am saying that by this time next year, our cost of import of petroleum products for petrochemicals or fertiliser will be able to save that which will save Nigeria’s reserve. It will help us so that we can begin to focus on more important items that we cannot produce in Nigeria today.’’

For years, Nigeria has approached strengthening the naira through financial engineering at CBN headquarters; Dangote Refinery will help to strengthen Naira through technical innovation, at international markets through products and services, shifting equilibrium points to improve the balance of payment for Nigeria.  The latter has always worked! Nigeria waits for that day because that refinery could be the most important national asset for a long time. Then, we will note that the N100 billion intervention to the projects, from the apex bank, is a good deal for the nation.

Palmary Consult, one of our partners on blockchain technologies at the Institute, is holding a masterclass on blockchain masternode. The program is scheduled on the 6th of March at the Radisson Blu Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos. There is a major redesign in finance and technology and the opportunities are huge. Fintech, for example, has revolutionized the way people get financial services, transforming the ordinance of finance along the way.

This nonlinear paradigm shifts from Card Payments, to Online Payment Systems, to USSD payment, to blockchain-anchored Decentralized Finance, have created the need to be adept with the necessary knowledge for future markets.

This Executive Business Luncheon offers you a Covid19 compliant meeting space with major players in this space, to acquire the necessary skill and information, co-learn and c-share, and win. There will be practical sessions on  MASTERNODES Proof of Stakes Technology. MASTERNODE is a Decentralized Protocol that verifies and resolves the Integrity of transfers on Blockchain.

How to register

It costs N50,000, covering one -on -one consultative session on how to begin, certificate of attendance, lunch (buffet), etc.  Payment should be made to:

• Palmary Global Services Ltd. 0018469207.
• GTBank. 
• Kindly send payment proof to reservations@palmaryconsult.com

For enquiries call/message : +234 (0)8090653767 or email enquiries@palmaryconsult.com

There will be a rebate for companies /group sending a minimum of 5 persons for the event.

The Palmary Masternode Team.