Africa Business Communities

Chioma Nnani: Business in Nigeria - Perception and Reality

One of the amazing things about business ownership in Nigeria is the perception that folk have. OK, make that the perceptions. Plural. But for this blog post, we'll focus on one area.

A lot of folk think, “I run my own business” really means “I am too lazy or proud to go get a proper job, so I've chosen to undertake a cute, vanity project. And because it's a vanity project, it doesn't matter if I earn money or not; there's a money-tree in my bedroom, from which I can pluck real greens to tide me over.”

It is ridiculous, to the absolute max.

Not to downplay the harsh economic and other realities in different climes, but until you've been in Nigeria – where you've got bills coming out of your ears and creditors either avoiding your calls or telling you how 'god' will do it, you don't know the meaning of “It's a jungle out there.”

Apparently, it's worse when dealing with government ministries and organisations. They can owe for Africa. It is really that bad. There's also institutional corruption in some of these places, where the so-called civil servants are more interested in making a quick buck – especially if they have to rip off hard-working folk – than in doing their jobs. I know of this guy who runs one of the biggest and most successful production companies in Africa. His organisation did a job for a client; they even borrowed the funds to do so. Time to get paid – he and his staff started getting the run-around. “Come today, come tomorrow.” One day, a member of his client's staff boldly told him something in pidgin that translates to “Why do you think you'll collect such a sum, even if it is your entitlement, without greasing our palms here?”

When Buhari's administration was voted in, there was a fair bit of euphoria … and hysteria. Some people said they were cautiously optimistic – lots of things, including the private sector, would receive the much-needed transformation. People would finally receive what they deserved, especially in business. Five months later, the pulse of the nation is … weak. To hear business-owners tell it, either “Nothing has changed” (pun intended) or “Things have never been this bad.”

From the woman who sells frozen chicken to the photographer, whose celebrity clients specialize in speaking incomprehensible grammar; to the lawyer whose clients' stories inspire heart attacks – a lot of folk think it's raining greens for business owners.

Chioma Nnani is an award-winning author, who also contributes to business, lifestyle and literary publications. One of Africa's most fearless storytellers, she is a UK BEFFTA (Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts) Award nominee, who lives in Lagos, can be reached at @ChiomaNnani and blogs at www.fearlessstoryteller.com

 

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