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Building Nigeria's Economic Brand. by Cletus Olebunne Cletus E. Olebunne September 1st, 2005 Repairing the reputation as a corrupted place to do business: As Nigeria moves from democratic infancy to adolescence, the country has become much more than anyone individual. The economic brand identity has to stand on its own with the involvement of the private sector. The country through its democratic adolescence needs a leadership team that will take it through the next stage of economic evolution – the manufacturing economy Launch an economic campaign targeted at entrepreneurial business leadership: The private sector needs to know that government cares so much about them and depends on them for job creation. This sector needs to be empowered. For the private sector to succeed, every private sector industry must be held accountable for their expertise through proper government regulatory agencies. The consensus of the private sector accountability must be built for the best business practices. To be successful, the leadership has to make the citizens believe in the brand – The Nigerian Economic Brand of a Nation of Factories. As Nigeria goes through this tough economic time, there is a need for a truest focus, no gimmicks. Urging people (young ones) forward when their future is in doubt is a senseless strategy. There need to be a strategy that needs keeping them informed on a truest focus – The Nigerian Economic Brand of Nation of Factories (the 24 hour economy, the manufacturing economy, vision 2020 Nigeria). Millions of Nigerians are depending on the leadership; therefore, the leadership must remain economically focused; keeping young Nigerians looking up rather than hopelessness should be the main basis of the economic focus. Move forward, but respect the past: Nigeria’s economic focus is bigger than one person, therefore the need for continuity in the building of economic brand. There should be no one blue print but one economic focus – manufacturing economy. It is golden to appreciate the positive contributions of the past towards a common vision that may be 10 to 20 years ahead. Every citizen (from number 1 to the 130th millionth or so) is an associate in the Organization (Nigeria), some just happened to be in the leadership positions. To this end, nel-m.org in 2006 will put in place a very aggressive manufacturing economy campaign via our growing e-mail list. As apolitical organization, our only endorsement will be to the future of Nigerian youths, and the Nigerian economic brand. We believe that Nigerians have been so far knocked down, which is a good thing. Once in a while, getting knocked down on your ass is a good thing. It does open up for a new beginning with a humbling mindset, and a new determination to be the best one can be. I know, it doesn’t sound right, but the experience of past Nigerian leadership was like a gift. Nigerians knew what they went through, so a buzz is being built around what the economic future might be. The experience of mindless and economic illiterate leaderships of the past, that plunged Nigeria into economic ruin should be a wake up call for Nigerian youths who will be making another economic decision in 2007. It is about economic decision not about a person. Entrepreneurial leadership, Charismatic leadership, or Managerial leadership: Which one is suitable for the Nigeria’s current situation? Entrepreneurial – builders, creators, and visionary Charismatic – change agents Managerial – value maximizers, making most out of something that already exists. Nel-m.org will be taking survey on this topic; therefore I will not be sharing my take now. Readers may send in notes, which we may publish. Note: Most came in as being charismatic, lager-than-life figures, using force of their persona only to plunge Nigeria into economic ruin but no positive turn around as would a true charismatic leader. In all, Nigerians have been economically disappointed, hence the cynicism against products of the past. And the way ahead: tune in for the October Newsletter – Content & Context toward manufacturing economy (making manufacturing enterprise a 21st century economic strategy and beyond) Cletus E. Olebunne Executive Director Nigerian Entrepreneurial Leadership
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