I was just chatting with a childhood friend based in Houston Texas and this thought came to mind. Is there really anywhere you don’t find Nigerians? Do they miss home? What helps mitigate the homesickness? It all boils down (and yes, literally, to food).

I have encountered numerous Nigerians visiting the UK and London in particular, and no sooner than they have unpacked their travel gear, do they ask the same age long question.

“Is there any Nigerian eatery nearby?”

I must admit, this always comes as a bit of shock to me, as I would have imagined that only a few hours ago, these individuals would have treated themselves to some variant of Nigerian food: be it Jollof Rice, Pounded yam and Vegetble soup (edikang kong, okro, ogbono, ewedu or bitter leaf) and Suya or Fish/ Goat meat pepper soup. So what’s the impatience?

Nigerians in the diaspora know the exact needs of their brothers and sisters at home visiting these new climes. But the question is how have they responded to these clientelle. I have lived in Dubai, London, Scotland and visited Berlin, Houston, Atlanta, Florida, Tanzania and South Africa in the past decade or just over. In these journeys and sojourn, I have been rather unimpressed by the ambience of Nigerian restaurants in these locations (when compared with their counterparts).

There is a Nigerian saying that the way to a man’s heart is through food.

The same can be said about the best therapy for homesickness. Is food the only attraction? How about the atmosphere? Attitude of the waiters/ waitresses? Custmer service? Don’t even talk about the price for now.

This article is pitched as a wake-up call with managerial and theoretical implications. At the managerial level, Nigerian restaurateurs need to up their game and provide the appropriate ambiance, quality of service and innovativeness. At the theoretical level, academics should encourage students to undertake research projects on how to make Nigerian restaurants competitive especially in climes outside Nigeria.

Further reading:

Madichie, N. O. (2007). Nigerian restaurants in London: bridging the experiential perception/expectation gap. International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 1(2), 258-271.

Still in the spirit of celebrating Nigeria’s Independence and her great potential, I have been ruminating about our history, current state of affairs and the future. Because of what we momentarily go through, many of us do not see a promising future. I write to disabuse our minds with the truth about who we are and what we can be. Some say Nigeria is a failure at 59, mind you, the geographical delineation of the country is given expression by you and I, the leaders and the led, therefore, we have failed ourselves.

But the beauty of the human mind is that we can change our mentality and, thus, our fortunes. For a long time we have exhibited the mentality of a seed that relies solely on the vagaries of its environment to fulfill its potential. We must change our seed attitude to that of an eagle that is not limited by its environment.

For a seed to grow and bear fruit, the four elements of light, water, temperature, and nutrients (with or without soil) must be present in the right quantities and qualities. Anything less than this will adversely affect its fruitfulness. In the same vein, environmental factors determine the productivity of the human seed. It has been established that the greatest resource is the human mind, that is why the cemetery is adjudged to be the richest ground in the entire world. Some call Nigeria a zoo, a grave, a land that consumes its inhabitants, etc. They are quick to list negative statistics like the poverty capital of the world, number one country in open defecation, high unemployment rate, corruption, internet fraud, political and religious hegemony, nepotism, and terrorism to smear the image of the country. All of these are the mentality of a seed.

Looking at our Coat of Arms, there is an eagle that is placed above the fertility of the land, above the beauty of the flora and fauna, above the dignity of the stallions, above the great Niger and Benue Rivers, and above the sovereignty of the green and white flag. That eagle is every Nigerian. That is the strength and pride of the nation. With its wings wide open, its claws tightly clenching the wreath; we are obligated to lift our nation high to the heavens and, to the admiration and respect of other nations.

As Nigerian Eagles, we have powerful vision to see our greatness ahead. We are fearless and powerful without rivals; we are tenacious in our collective beliefs. We are high flyers, we reach heights others do not dare. And the foundation of our unity is unshakable. Do not doubt our capabilities. We stand out everywhere we go with excellent results. The world awaits our awakening and leadership. We are from the Continent of Light and the source of illumination to the rest of Africa. We are not cursed but blessed.

We should learn to have zero focus on our differences and biases and focus more on our uniqueness. The colonial masters did not create Nigeria, God did. We are not built to fail. We are not an accident nor a coincidence. If we can accept who we are the way the Lion-sheep came to the realization of who he was, then we can change our course. I have lived long enough to know that nothing is impossible to a determined soul. Would we make nonsense of the labour of our heroes or build on them?

Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream, and Obama said, “We Can.” And it’s history today. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Mallam Aminu Kano dreamed, and I say, “Yes, we can!” Let us make history. We are the Nigerian Eagle! Let us rise beyond our limitations and birth the Nigeria of our dreams.

God bless Nigeria!

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced the discovery of oil in the Northeastern part of Nigeria. The search for oil in the Lake Chad basin has been ongoing for months now, and the efforts seem to have paid off.

The statement reads: “At about 21:20 hours of 10th October 2019, the NNPC Group’s drilling crew working at Kolmani River-II in Gongola Basin have encountered hydrocarbon outflow to the well head while performing well test operations. The gas component is currently being flared to avoid pressure build up around the drilling rig.”

The acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs of NNPC, Samson Makoji, announced this in a statement issued on Friday. The oil was discovered in commercial quantities in the Gongola Basin, a development Makoji said “will attract foreign investment, generate employment for people to earn income and increase government revenue.”

According to him, “it would be recalled that drilling of the Kolmani River II Well was flagged off in a colorful ceremony by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 2nd of February, 2019.”

He also noted that “the NNPC acquired 435.54km2 of 3D Seismic Data over Kolmani prospect in the Upper Benue Trough, Gongola Basin. This was to evaluate Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) Kolmani River 1 Well Discovery of 33 BCF and explore deeper levels.”

However, there have been mixed reactions to the development. While many are celebrating the oil discovery, others are of the opinion that the only good thing that will come out of it may be, ‘aiding the long advocated restructuring.’

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced the discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantity in the north-eastern part of the country.

The acting group general manager, group public affairs division of the corporation, Samson Makoji announced the discovery in a statement on Friday, October 11, 2019.

Makoji said the oil, which was discovered in the Gongola Basin will “attract foreign investment, generate employment for people to earn income and increase government revenues”.

The statement read, “The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced the discovery of hydrocarbon deposits in the Kolmani River II Well on the Upper Benue Trough, Gongola Basin, in the North-Eastern part of the country.

The oil exploration was seen as a waste of time and resources by many, not because of the unlikelihood of finding oil in the Northeast, but because many believe the oil economy era is fading away.

In the age of data mining and tech-based economy, the Nigerian government has been urged to pay less attention to oil. There is concern that the rate in which the quest for cleaner energy is gaining momentum, soon oil will be of no use.

Developed countries have shown serious commitment in building electric cars as an alternative to diesel engines. With India, Nigeria’s oil biggest consumer, joining the race of electric vehicles; the future of Nigerian oil beams with uncertainties.

Three well dressed bankers walked into our office. They met about four of us sitting together as we gist and work. They came with very amazing offer for workers that were stuck financially – they have loans that can get us out of our financial difficulties.

These marketers were so amazing as they talked about how easy it is for us to pick up loans without collaterals and how the bank will spread out the repayment in such a way that we won’t feel it. Wow! It sounded so good to be true. Well, people like me closed my ears – that was the only way I escaped them.

When they left, my colleagues asked why I didn’t pick the loan application form. I told them that I have seen what such loans can do to salary earners, so ‘ayam’ not interested. I have known salary earners that picked up such loans and kept paying for money they didn’t know what they achieved with. Because the conditions for collecting such loans are easy to meet, they just go ahead and collect the money without a prior plan on what to do with it. All they care about was collecting a large sum of money.

Well, there are things that these bank marketers sweet tonguing you into picking up loans won’t tell you and that is what I want to point out here. Don’t be enticed by their offers; sit down first and do all the calculations before you fall for it. And if it is possible, talk to someone that is experienced before embarking on this. If you are married or live with a partner, whom you know will be affected by your decision, kindly speak it over with him or her before going for that loan. Well, here are some things you may want to think over before signing that form.

Things to Consider Before You Pick that Loan

1. What do you need the loan for?
You might be surprised if I tell you that some people pick up loans without thinking of what they want to do with it. Don’t think I’m exaggerating because I have seen that. Some people will just hear that a particular bank, cooperative society or staff union is giving loans, and pick up forms to fill because they too want to collect the bulk money. When that money finally comes in, they use it to ‘eat garri’ and spend years paying for it.

So, before you go for that loan, ask yourself if you really have a feasible plan for the money. If you don’t, leave it till you know what you can do with a bulk sum of money if you get it.

If you have a tangible plan, also ask yourself if that plan deserves the sacrifices that come with picking up the loan. For instance, people pick up loans to pay their rents. This means they will have problem paying for the next rent because the amount that will deducted will not allow them to save up for rents.

Next thing is to ask yourself if what you are picking up the loans for will bring in more income or help you save money. For example, if you are picking up a loan to complete your house and pack in, you know that you will be able to save the money you would have used for rent. So, if the loan won’t help you to save or generate more income (like expansion of business), think twice before going for it.

2. How much will be left in your salary after deduction?
Usually, loans given to salary earners are serviced by their salaries. Sometimes these marketers will tell us that they will spread out the loans in such a way that we won’t feel it. But, have you asked yourself how much will be left for you if the bank takes its own? Can you actually sustain yourself and your dependents from that amount?

Now, if you have been struggling to take care of yourself and your family before picking that loan, don’t you think it is unwise to reduce that little salary you have with the loan deductions? Most people don’t think of this until it happens. A lot of salary earners keep begging and borrowing more money because about 30% of their salaries have been tied to loan servicing.

3. What is the duration of the loan servicing?
The marketers will tell you they will only take 20k out of your salary that is just 80k and you are happy because you considered that you can manage with 60k (you forgot that even 80k couldn’t solve all your problems). Well, here is another bomb for you – you may have to manage that 60k for the next 6 years. Hope you can survive that?

So, before you sign and submit that form, ask them how long they will deduct your money, and what are the terms and conditions attached to the deductions. When you find out all these, go home and manage that amount that will remain in your salary for 2 months or more and see how sweet it is. If you can survive with it for those 2 months, then go for the loan. But if you found it very hard to breath within these 2 months, please avoid that loan. You won’t survive the 5 or 6 years of the loan repayments.

4. How do you make up for the deductions?
I told someone not to pick a loan unless he has another source of income that will sustain him and his family throughout the duration of the repayment. He told me I don’t have faith and went ahead to pick the loan because he believes that God will provide. Now one of the ways ‘God will provide for him’ is by asking me every now and then whether “he fit see 5k for my hand”.

See, before you pick a loan have a plan on how to generate income that will fill up the holes the repayment deductions will create. Don’t look at others that pick that loan because they may have other plans that you don’t know of. I know someone that picked up loan to complete his house and didn’t feel the bite of repaying it that much because his wife has a good job and was contributing towards the family upkeep. So, if you know that your little salary is all you have, please ‘waka pass’.

And, don’t make the mistake of picking a loan to start up a business, or to give someone to start a business. This is because the business may take time to start yielding profit, or it might even flop. I know someone that took a loan to buy beans from the north to sell here in the east. Well, he made the mistake of buying the wrong type of beans and had to sell well below the market price (and he didn’t even have a storage facility). So, pick loans to expand an already thriving business and not to start one.

My advice is this, before you pick that loan, if you must, find another source of income (that isn’t begging people for money) that will help you to cushion the effects of loan repayment.

5. Do you really need this loan?
When I went for my master’s degree, a lot of people told me it will take me millions of naira to complete it. I was discouraged, but I know I couldn’t do without it. I got advices from colleagues to go for loans because that was how most of them scaled through. Personally, I don’t like loans, so I refused. I was told by many that I will drop out and all, well thank God I didn’t.

The thing was that I actually tried to find other alternatives to paying my schools fees that didn’t involve borrowing. I increased my side hustles and my saving culture. I also noted that the payments in school are done in bits, and not as a bulk. I did all investigations and found out that I really don’t need a loan to do my MA.

So, before you go for that loan, make out time to do some assignments. Look for alternative ways to fund that project or business. Like one economist that work with CBN told me, picking a loan to start a business or go for further studies means that you and the bank are the owners of that business or that certificate (you can imagine having my bank name beside my name in my certificate, lol). So, do you really need that loan? Or are people making it look like you need it?

Please, I’m not kicking against loans, because I know of their importance. What I’m against is people picking up loans when they shouldn’t. Let those that really need this loan go for it. We need farmers and manufacturers to use loans to make things better here, not some salary earners picking up loans because they want to do what others are doing.