A PRODUCTIVE COMMUNITY

“But other seeds fell on good soil and produced a crop, some 100, some 60, and some 30 times what was sown”

For seven years, I concentrated on a particular research, my obsession was directed towards the growth, development and industrialization of Nigeria. That obsession is still fresh till today. In 2014, I published a book with scientific models for sustainable development titled, “The Journey to Industrialization”. As usual a few friends laughed at me, they say Nigeria is in peril, beyond repair. But I disagree! In 2016, a formula designed for a productive citizen, clan, religious congregation, community and country followed suite.

Here is the formula; P_c = C(S_L + E_L + D_L + I_L + R_L)(1 + r/n)^nt.

Look and study the formula above, it is our strategy for a new and productive Nigeria. I shall not be deterred by those who say Nigeria is beyond repair because I believe there is a good soil and there are good seeds and they have started producing. I shall not be discouraged by the fact that only 17,700 elective public office holders consume 70% - 80% of Nigeria’s income out of 160 million Nigerians. I will not be ashamed that the National football team representing Nigeria have to struggle under far worse conditions. I am still surprised that our elective officers, especially the politically appointed ones have not declared their salary or how much they earn?

Nigerian is known as a consumption economy by the international community. Yet we are waiting for them to come and help us be better, when their idea of our country is an area where products should be sold.

Let me take time to explain the parameters: P_c means a productive community, citizen, etc and C(S_L + E_L + D_L + I_L + R_L) means investment. It is either you invest or you don’t. Nigerians need to increase the number of investment home-bound and stop investing across the borders. If we are waiting for foreign investors to spearhead the rapid national industrialization we require, then we will be in for what I call “Grey Hair Syndrome” and if we must invest we must invest right.

Here are some key intangible investments that act as core determinants to the kind of and the measure of industrialization we attain. The first determinant is our spiritual belief, Nigeria has a lot of religious factions and whether you like it or not these beliefs form our values and inform our decisions. Although religious beliefs are not meant to affect investment choice, but in Nigeria it does. Strange!

The second determinant is our employment ability. It is only in Nigeria that you hear the minister of economy say the economy is growing by 8%, yet the unemployment rate has increased to 41%. This simply shows either the Nigerian industry is fully capital intensive or someone is lying. In order to grow an economy, you must grow the rate of absorption of the labour force.

The third determinant is the level of linkage between the different departments in the economy. There is a clear cut detachment between the public sector, private sector, educational sector, industrial sector and other key sectors. This should not be so.

The fourth determinant is our industrial level. How many industries do we have? How many are still working? How many new ones each year? How many failed each year? These questions and more should inform our decisions on what industry is needed and how many industries are more labour intensive.

The fifth and last determinant is our rate of learning. This is not about having boxes of certification and titles, but about skill, having the ability to do things. How can our children finish secondary school and their simple chemistry knowledge did not bestow upon them the ability to make, paints, perfumes, insecticide, etc. even some science graduates do not have a clue on how to make soap.

Productivity starts from policies and these determinants should be at the centre of the mind during policy formulation. Policy formulation should not be left for the government officials alone, everyone makes decisions at our own little corners and such decisions compound to form bigger decisions. Therefore, we all need this new strategy at the centre of our minds. To attain 100% productivity.

Note (1 + r/n)^nt r = rate of return, n = number of times per week interest is compounded and t = number of hours per week invested. This whole strategy is time bound, Nigerians need to apply these principles so many times in a day for a minimum of 21 months. This I call “Productive Time Concentrate”.