Tomilola Brain

There are too many startups in Nigeria solving nonsense problems. This is a country with massive insecurity. People are hungry. Transportation is a daily struggle. Over 20 million children are out of school. Healthcare is broken. Power is unreliable. Jobs are scarce. Why are there so few startups solving fundamental Nigerian problems? And why are so many chasing problems that barely exist here? Technology is not about writing code. Technology is not about buzzwords. Technology is not about sounding smart on pitch decks. Technology is simply a better way of solving real problems. If your solution cannot meaningfully touch: •security •education •transportation •healthcare •food systems •jobs •cost of living then maybe it’s not innovation, maybe it’s just noise. Nigeria does not need more cool startups. Nigeria needs useful ones. Let’s go back to basics.

For the first time today, I realized that the problem of Nigeria is not leadership per say, but the opportunists nature of its citizens. I was scheduled for an appointment at the Russian Embassy Abuja by 11am today, and somehow, I missed my way to the Embassy. Instead of the Russian Embassy, I found myself at the UN Office which had the same structure painting with the Russian Embassy. I checked my time and it was 10:42am. Looking frustrated, I asked for directions and the security guards directed me to a cluster of Taxi Drivers at the opposite side. I crossed to the other side and immediately about five of the Taxi Drivers rushed towards me. "Oga where you dey go"? They asked simultaneously "Russian Embassy" I responded "Ahhhhh! Russian Embassy. E far o" one of the men responded. "Is about two hours drive from here" the man added "How much will you take me there"? I asked "Oga na 30k o" he responded My heart skip. I was pleading and negotiating with this man to please accept 20k as I was running out of time but he stood his ground. A Hausa man hawking orange who was following our conversation, came behind me and whispered in Hausa "Dan dai kana sauri ne, Amman akasama zaka iya zuwa Russian Embassy" (if not because you are in a haste, you can trek to Russian Embassy). The orange hawker then instructed me to follow him. I checked my time and it was 10:49am. We trekked few miles, take just two turns and crossed over an overhead bridge. Boom! We are at the front of Russian Embassy. I checked my time and it was 10:57am. I could not help but hug the man tightly until the orange on his stray start falling. We chatted for few minutes. He told me he came all the way from Ingawa Local Government in Katsina State. I told him I am from Funtua local government in Katsina State. We quickly exchange contact and I dash off. While waiting for my turn to be invited into the Embassy, my mind traveled back to the Taxi Driver I was desperately begging to accept 20k. Some of us are worse than the leaders we complain everyday about. It's just opportunity we lack. Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Diary of a Traveler

See a girl diligent in her work. She stood before kings.

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