Will You Choose Comfort or Growth?
Sometime in February 2026, a junior colleague sat with me in my office as he sought counsel. He had just moved to a role that stretched him. He was scared as he hadn’t settled in well. He was thinking of moving to a less ‘stressful’ role. The thought of not meeting his numbers kept him awake at...
Making Decisions at Critical Times
In life, there are many critical moments when we have to make decisions that may have far-reaching implications. There was a time I was faced with such a moment in my career. I worked for an international financial institution and I just got an offer from a local financial institution. I had...
Success Happens When Preparation Meets Opportunity
I had just been elected to represent my hall (Paradise Hostel) at the Students’ Representative Council 93/94. I was in 200 level and was just cutting my teeth politically on campus. I was outspoken, and in my 100 level, I had been elected as the General Secretary of the hall. That was...
Building for Tomorrow: A Reflection on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road
As I write this on February 10, 2026, I have been taking the Coastal Road for about two weeks. It has become my default route since reconstruction works commenced on the Lekki-Epe Road. The Coastal Road is a beautiful road. It is well constructed, even though so much is still going on. Driving on...
Empathy in Leadership: It’s Not Just About Results, It’s About People
He knocked on my door, looking visibly worried. One of my team members had come to see me. At first, he seemed hesitant, so I asked him to relax and speak freely. He stood up and gently locked the door. I wondered what was going on. Then, carefully, he began to unbutton his shirt. Beneath it,...
What I Refuse to Discuss on Social Media
There are certain things that are simply off-limits for me when it comes to social media postings and engagements. I don’t discuss other people’s marriages. It’s none of my business. As long as two people are consenting adults, I keep my opinions to myself and sincerely wish them well. I wouldn’t...
Do Your Work Like It Matters—Because It Does
It must have been around 2006. I had observed him for some time, and it was clear that he was different from the others. He was always neatly dressed. His dark-coloured uniform was consistently well-ironed, and his boots were always polished. Anytime a customer walked through the door, he...
I Once Called Myself the Greatest Salesman Ever—Here’s What I Learned
I recently stumbled on an email I sent on August 9, 2002—over two decades ago. Seeing it again brought back memories and gave me a good laugh. Those were the early days of GSM telephony, when the telecoms industry was the new gold rush. Everyone wanted to work there. Bankers were leaving their...
Stop Running Down Nigeria With Your Mouth
One of the statements I detest the most is, “Nigeria happened to him.” Why should Nigeria be associated with failure, pain, misfortune or anything negative? When disasters strike in other countries, their citizens do not say, “America happened to me” or “The UK happened to me.” Yet, somehow, we...
Three Powerful Lessons from The Six Triple Eight
I always love to start my year the right way and I'm glad The Six Triple Eight movie on Netflix was the first movie I watched in 2025. It was really worth every minute of my time. I love films based on real-life events or characters. I believe the secrets of men are in their stories and this...