Chioma Nnani: What’s God got to do with Business?

In a previous guest-blog post here, I mentioned how that Nigeria is a hyper-religious place, and how that is definitely not a compliment. From a socio-political point of view, it is ridiculous. From a commercial one, it is even worse.

I find it rather disturbing that the name of any deity is invoked in any business transaction – as if that makes a difference. Methinks unless you're a religious leader (pastor, priest, Imam, whatever other title has been added to this list), you have absolutely no business acting like your transaction is with anyone but human beings.

I have found (to my horror) that this is a ruse used to get your guard down. A lot of people expect more religious people to be more decent in their dealings. Unfortunately this is actually the reverse in Nigeria. The more accurate situation is that people will mention the name of 'God' and use that to terrorize and fleece you, and continue to mention his name whilst they are at it. It's virtually a guarantee.

I had these dealings with these complete frauds that I also suspect have undiagnosed mental health issues. While they were lying and refusing to do as a signed contract stipulated, they were mentioning the name of 'Jesus'. And I was like, “OK, I'm not religious. Even if I were, what has Jesus got to do with this situation? Did I sign this contract with him? This is none of his business.”

There are also a lot of talented people who are misled into believing that they need to execute their business in a certain way and use certain phrases, because they are steeped in religious mindsets. Sorry, but what is a 'Christian lawyer'? Or a 'Christian doctor'? Does that mean you only take clients and patients who are of the same religion as you? Or that instead of going by the Constitution (for a lawyer), you flip open your Bible when a client presents an issue to you? Or that you'll quote some random Bible verse about blood transfusion being a sin (in the case of a doctor) instead of ascertaining your patient's blood group?

This mindset that you can only do business with/for people of your own religion is counter-productive and masochistic. Trust me, I've been there – there was a time my ghostwriting service was geared towards Christian ministers and pastors. I was told that that was the only way to 'give glory to God with my talent'. That if I didn't do it, my (writing) talent would be taken away from me. I am embarrassed that I ever believed such tripe. It hurt my business, big time.

Today, I would be very worried by a professional whose opening words are, “My Bible says …” - unfortunately, this is the norm in Nigeria. With the result that people claim to rely on 'divine grace' when a signed contract and a commitment to diligence should suffice. 

Chioma Nnani is the award-winning author of FOREVER THERE FOR YOU. She holds a Law (LLB) from the University of Kent, Canterbury, was nominated for a BEFFTA in 2014, and has a Postgraduate Certificate in Food Law from the De Montfort University, Leicester. You can connect with her via facebook.com/ChiomaEstherNnani and @ChiomaNnani 

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