I always start every new year on the platform of gratitude to God for the gift of life, the gift of family and the gift of capacity to be healthy and in a position to keep making a difference and contributing to making the world a better place, working alongside all the people God has given me the grace to meet, learn from and impact. So, for this milestone, it’s not different. I owe everything I am and can ever be to the grace and favour of God, and this state of gratitude and total dependence on God is the highest expression of my lifestyle. At 60, I feel like 40; in fact, I am ageless in my mind as I am still armed with the same bandwidth for continuous learning and adaptability required for optimal and exceptional impact. This can only be God’s gift, for which I am grateful. Above all, having my wife and children, who have been my rock, celebrate this milestone with me gives me so much joy, and I thank God for His grace. Then, of course, celebrating this milestone with my extended family, my Sahara Family, global leaders, friends and associates from all over the world makes me feel so special. Again, this can only be the Hand of God upon my life. This new chapter will be one of legacy building, with intention and unyielding resolve to build platforms to promote the values that have shaped my life over these six decades.

Pin

Looking back, what are some of the biggest lessons life has taught you over the past six decades?

Well life has taught me so many lessons that I will have to write a book on that. However, some key lessons for me are.

Love your neighbour just as God loves you. If we truly understand the concept of loving one another, we will do right by each other and drive the development we desire.

Build long-lasting relations because these relationships are the bridges needed in the journey of life.

Pin

Always hold onto God; his favour, mercy, and love are the rock and foundation of this life.

Upskill yourself and be ready to take on opportunities when they arise. You just never know when one comes knocking.

Never take no for an answer. Let your ambition drive you to do the unimaginable.

Is there anything on your bucket list you’re determined to check off now that you’ve hit the big 60?

For me, electrifying Nigeria and Africa has been a lifelong goal. I will not rest on my oars until Nigeria can boast of 24/7 electricity. With the amount of work that has been done diligently by the men and women in the sector, we are increasingly moving the needle towards achieving this feat. Would there be challenges? Most definitely. However, I am confident that with collaboration and the right investments, policies, strategies, sustainable adaptation of renewable energy, and consumer orientation, Nigeria and indeed, Africa will check the box of uninterrupted power supply ultimately

Let’s talk a bit about your career. It’s really an impressive one, spanning academia, finance, energy, trade, and diplomacy. What’s the secret to staying relevant across so many sectors?

You forgot Insurance. This gave me the platform to traverse the different sectors I have found myself in. The secret really is adding value. What solutions and value are you bringing to the table? Every sector has different challenges, but a mind that looks beyond them and identifies solutions and opportunities will flourish. One must always be nimble and willing to grow capacity that will facilitate making a difference along the value chain of creating, transforming, redefining, and repurposing value. At the end of the day, everyone salutes, embraces, and defers to value. You must strive to be seen as a “value merchant” with the capacity that traverses different areas of endeavour. And the beautiful thing about this value principle is that it must not originate from you. You can learn, collaborate and be willing to unlearn things that will disrupt your journey towards creating value responsibly and sustainably.

As a board member of several companies, how do you balance your responsibilities across? I imagine it must be a lot.

Well, it is quite a lot; however, I have a fantastic team with which I work. From the management staff of the different entities to the desk and field officers, there is a collaboration that births success. I manage my time appropriately, ensuring that I am always giving my best. I am a solution provider, and whenever called upon, I deliver. Without the team behind me, I am sure I will struggle, but I am glad I have them. So, I simply immerse myself in the strength of my team, learning from them and providing guidance and oversight as we create value together. I believe so much in “we”; it unleashes the beauty of diversity and always drives sustainable success

Sahara Power Group connects over 30 million homes and businesses to electricity. What’s the secret to managing such a massive operation?

As I mentioned earlier, a collaborative team with the right synergy will do wonders. As an organisation, we believe strongly in the phrase, “My job is not done until the job is done.” Sahara is not an organisation; it’s a phenomenon, a mindset that defies the impossible. Sahara is always seeking frontiers to make a difference, and we have continued to lead the way in the power sector, where we operate the largest generation and distribution power companies in sub-Saharan Africa. With continuing investments, infrastructure upgrades, deployment of new technology and human capital transformation, we have a shared vision of bringing energy to life responsibly wherever it is needed.

What does the future of energy in Nigeria and Africa look like through your lens?

I see a Nigeria and Africa that harnesses its natural resources to create the development we desire to see. Take for example, Nigeria is blessed with Natural Gas, and it is only logical that we harness this gas for our power plants to provide electricity that will be the foundation of our industrial revolution. With the right policies and determination by all stakeholders, from Government to private individuals, this dream can become our reality in the not-so-distant future. Africa needs to solve its problem using local solutions while creating an alignment with the global stakeholders.

You’re a strong advocate for Nigeria becoming a nation that manufactures opportunities. What does this vision look like in reality?

The day Nigeria becomes a producing nation rather than just a consuming nation, we will have truly broken free of years of poverty and marginalization. This means our children and their generation will live way better lives, become proud of the country called Nigeria and ensure it takes its place on the table of first world countries. We have been blessed with natural resources, youthful population that is determined to proffer solutions so this can become a reality if we truly focus on this as one country and one people.

I think this is a good time to bring up your appointment to the Presidential Economic Coordination Council by President Tinubu. How’s that going? And how has this experience shaped your perspective on Nigeria’s economic future?

I first must commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and guidance. The PECC is strategic because it created a platform where private sector players like me will relate with other stakeholders of the economy, especially the government, to review the economic structure of our country and provide solutions to be implemented. I don’t believe any of us wants Nigeria to disintegrate into a war-torn country, hence the need to get it right and put Nigeria on its part to economic growth and development. With the calibre of the individuals in the council, there truly is a renewed hope for the project called Nigeria.

Pin

So, what keeps your belief in Nigeria’s potential unwavering, even in challenging times?

There is no place like home truly. Regardless of where you live, there’s this enterprising Nigerian spirit that makes us unique. We have an expansive and incredibly gifted mindset that sets us apart. It is not unusual to hear about Nigerians excelling in different disciplines across the globe. I believe in Nigeria and the fact that Nigeria has what it takes to truly become a global power. It is a continuing journey that requires patience, bold policies and selfless participation of all Nigerians beyond the lines of tribe, tongue and creed. This keeps me energised in my every endeavour to play my path in the success story of Nigeria. Nigeria has a rendezvous with history; it is a glorious rendezvous that generations unborn will celebrate.

What message do you have for Nigerians who might feel disillusioned with the current state of the nation?

The countries we compare ourselves to today once had it bad, and some were even worse than Nigeria, but there was just a change that set them on the right path. Singapore wasn’t such a fantastic place to be decades ago. However, today, they sit on the table with world powers. It takes the efforts of each and every one of us to play our role in ensuring Nigeria becomes great. The little decisions you make even in managing your waste, paying utility bills, obeying traffic laws etc are fundamental in our growth and development. I implore every Nigerian to play their path in creating the best nation on earth; this is truly possible.

You are big on mentorship and empowerment. Why is this so important to you?

Well, knowledge transfer has always been a passion right from my teaching days at the University of Lagos. I strongly believe that knowledge is given to us not just for ourselves but also for others. I will be selfish if I don’t share what I know because while giving, I also receive. I also learn from the mentees around me, creating a mix of ideas that gives out-of-the-box solutions. When the younger generation learns from the older generation, they can build on that and create a future way better than the past; this is very important to me.

What has been the most rewarding moment in your journey of mentorship and empowerment?

For me, it is seeing my mentees succeed in the different areas they chose to play in. This, in itself, is the reward and blessing. A good teacher will always want his/her students to be better than them. When I see them excel, this gladdens me, and that is my reward.

As someone who has achieved so much, how do you want to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as the man who diligently played his part in bring 24/7 electricity to Nigeria and Africa. Most importantly, one who contributed passionately and selflessly to brining energy to life responsibly.

If you could achieve one more major milestone in your career, what would it be?

Electrifying Nigeria