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5 businesses to start with less than 100K in Nigeria. Plan for it!

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5 businesses to start with less than 100K in Nigeria. Plan for it!

What business to start? This is a hot question! Very Often we are not satisfied with our 9 to 5 jobs because we know that we have more potential and probably the job environment will not allow us develop and grow this potential. And maybe the salary we earn is not actually sufficient to cover our expenses. Or you might be craving for new challenges and you know deep down in your heart that you want to achieve greater things. These might be some reasons why you will begin to search for business ideas to start with less capital or very little financial capital in Nigeria or wherever you live.  I get you!

How To Launch A Low Capital Business // FREE WEBINAR!
You will find out profitable business ideas you can start with less than capital. We will go through some of the major things you need in place to start from skills, free tools to how we can support your business.

You can ask specific questions which my team and I are happy to give answers to.Only those attending live here on our zoom channel can ask questions directly to us. We have a maximum of 100 FREE seats. We will send you a reminder to attend a couple of hours before, so you do not miss out. Register here now to secure a free seat at the webinar >

Here are 10 business ideas to consider when looking for a business to start with little capital. We will release concrete courses and tutorials on how to start with these ideas.
  1. Soap making business.
  2. Food stuff delivery service business.
  3. Affiliate marketing or direct sales business.
  4. Perfume production business.
  5. Fashion production business.
  6. Fashion retail business.
  7. Digital content creation business.
  8. Marmalade production business.
  9. Jewellery production business.
  10. Portable furniture retail business.

You can find more ideas here as well in my blog on 10 lucrative business ideas in Nigeria.

Here are 35 Business ideas you will love and you can start with very low capital.

I release new blog every week about starting, building and growing your business in Africa. If you want to keep updated and get new ideas as well as our support, then I suggest you subscribe to our business blog for Africa beneath. The issue about having little financial resources to start an idea is a very prominent topic. But I must tell you that, very often you do not need so much money to start off with your idea, if you take the time to actually plan how to start.

Good, so let’s dive into 5 of these business ideas.
Soap making
great business ideas
Soap business to start with less than 100K Naira

I am not talking about some kind of no-fragrance soap. I am talking about luxury soap with a yummy appearance – just that you cannot eat it:-). The equipments, work tools and materials for making a soap are not so expensive. The first thing you will need to do here is to educate yourself further about soap making, create a business plan and decide what which niche you want to serve.

In soap making, you can strictly decide to serve cooperate clients like hotels and restaurants or you develop a retail brand of soap you sell strictly to smaller retailers. You can decide to go into direct to customer selling which is very time intensive.I always advice my students to choose between focusing on production or focusing on retailing. Doing both is possible but it will not allow you grow fast into a  world-class business.  I will expand on these selling strategies in future blogs, tutorials, courses and in my upcoming life conference in Lagos, Nigeria.

Food stuff delivery service business
supply business
Food delivery business to start with less than 100K Naira

As Africas population begin to grow massively, migration from rural areas to urban areas is increasing. What does this mean for you as an entrepreneur? We have seen this happen in Europe. People begin to live very fast lives and are disconnected to healthy source of food. Soon health issues increases and people then get conscious about what they eat. This would happen in Africa soon. So now, you have the opportunity to build a fresh business idea by connecting local farmers to the urban areas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affiliate marketing or direct sales business.
entrepreneurship is our black super power against racism
Affiliate business to start with less than 100K Naira

The concept of direct selling is not new to Africans at all. Actually it is laid in our DNA. Remember those ladies selling clothes on campus? Or that your mums friend selling Ankara fabric to her friends, including your mother? Remember Aso-ebi? Global brands like Tupperware and Avon have long mastered this business and are multi-million dollar companies.

They offer customers the opportunity to build a network and sell the products. The advantage here is that you are showered with amazing tools and selling techniques. The cost to start is very little. So you can primarily learn from them and build your network of direct selling with local products from producers within your country.  With some great communication skills you can select a good number of unique products to sell to your network.  If you intend to explore or learn more about this business, then be sure to join our Master Class “DEBUNK”  where we will help you build your business idea.

Perfume production business
joadre wellness for healthy living
Perfume business idea to start with less than 100K Naira

This business requires basic chemistry knowledge though, but  with a capital of less than 100K Naira, you are good to go. If you do your homework, meaning educate yourself more about the art and chemistry of perfume making and you have the right product and packaging, you can target high class professionals like bankers, marketers and other service professional, because they just “need” to smell good, right?

Like I mentioned, packaging is key in this business. If you are interested in this business idea, you can enrol for our upcoming tutorial on “Branding with packaging design” to learn more on how to develop the right concept for your idea. Even due to the fact that perfumes have a very long shave life, meaning they do not get spoilt easily, you can quickly grow this business into an exportation business. It is always safer to have one product line and make sure it reaches more customers around the world than to expand to many product line in the same location. I will explain why in upcoming tutorials and my free weekly videos.

Fashion retail business
Fashion business idea to start with less than 100K Naira
Fashion business idea to start with less than 100K Naira

Ok, this is a business where I have 100% experience as I launched my own fashion production and retail business in 2014. You can visit the online store to see some of our products. In this sector, you have so many option and mind you, Africa is a massive market. When I view fashion as a business, I am in no way referring to high-end fashion or what they call “Haute Couture”. That is not where the big money is. Look at brands like Zara, H&M, Mango, Asos and such. Although I do not recommend their some of their business ethics, it is clear that these retail houses are leading when it comes to fashion and you know why? Because they discovered and focused on the mass market.

So you as an aspiring entrepreneur in Africa, where the mass market is massive like hell, I wonder why we do not have real big or multiple mass fashion retail brands. There is a way to start off your retails brand and grow it into a chain with very little cash. Start with a consistent pop-up plan in strategic locations and leverage the power of digital marketing. I am here to show you how this would work, but you must first work on creating a plan for this idea.

Conclusion – Its not all about cash, it is about if you know how to start!

There are more ideas and remember I only introduced 5 from 10 business ideas to start with less capital. I would love to share more but at the same time, I do not want this blog to be too long. Look out for upcoming blog content, courses, tutorials and life conventions. Thats where I will explore more ideas, show you how and also look for ventures to support on a long term.

Thank you so much for reading this very long blog. I know, it is long. Sorry jare (Nigerian slang), but I just felt it is important to share this knowledge for the common good.  If you are really serious about starting up something soon, then be sure to join my program. I look forward to working with you soon.

Take care and cheers,

Joana

JOIN THE FREE MASTER CLASS NOW >
Click to start FREE class now!
But now, what exactly can you start with very little funds?

Thank God, we are living in a digital age. So there are lots of opportunities around the internet technology. I are passionate to share even more ideas with you on my Youtube Channel. Make sure to visit my channel, subscribe an dturn on notifications. In this blog, I will list 10 different business ideas you can start with very little money. I will also explain 5 out of them in this blog that you can start in any African country with less than 100K Nigerian Naira. 100K Naira is equivalent to about 250 dollars, which is basically not a very high financial capital to start. If you are still not sure about how, what to start, I would like to invite you to start my FREE Master class here. click to read more. 

Other useful post links:

 

https://joadre.com/3-low-capital-business-ideas-for-nigeria-new-potential/

 

WHY YOU NEED TO PLAN

How to start a low capital business with social impact.

Business Plan To Make Your Charity Financially Sustainable

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Business Plan To Make Your Charity Financially Sustainable

Many humanitarian projects rely on the good grace of sponsors or donations to carry out their excellent work. But it must not have to remain solely by the grace of contributions. Every charity can develop a strategy drawn from a traditional business plan. In this article, let us explore how to go about it.

  1. Identify Your Social Mission
  2. Understand your space
  3. Value Proposition
  4. Cost structure and revenue Streams

Identify Your Social Mission

Clarity is what people can relate to. There are so many problems worldwide, but you cannot solve them alone. Choose your own “niche”, meaning the specific topic you are passionate about solving and define it. Define the social or environmental problem you want to address. Your mission should be clear and precise, such as improving access to clean water or reducing poverty. Understand your WHY and let this flow into your apparent definition of the problem. 

Understand your space. 

In the traditional business plan, we call this market research. It is nothing other than you developing a sound understanding of the issue and the environment in which you act. Understand the target audience you want to serve and their environment. Analyze the necessity for your solution, service or offer. Then, identify who will be willing to pay for it. Yes, it might not be the direct beneficiary of your service. It might be a company, an institution, the government or their relatives.

Read these two blogs to understand how social ventures can raise funds: 

Value Proposition

Develop a compelling value proposition explaining how your charity model and offer will address the social issue and create substantial value. You must often speak this out loud to find the actual value within your solution. Offering clean drinking water is a no-brainer, but how does that impact the lives of those receiving the clean drinking water? Does it mean that the children do not have to walk 10 km every morning before school to fetch water and can actually focus on their education? How does your solution change lives? 

There is another aspect to this too. Now that you have identified who may be willing to pay for this service, what value do they get? How does the government benefit if more children can focus on education because they now have access to drinking water? These are two categories of value propositions you should develop. 

Cost structure and revenue Streams – business plan

Let us talk about money! Many humanitarians shy away from this aspect, but you should view money as a tool. Determine how your activities will generate income. This could include selling products or services, charging fees, securing grants or donations, or a combination. We have an action tool called SCAMPER on the JoadreTRIBE, which can help you through this process, especially the “C”. Check it out. 

Calculate your operating expenses, including the cost to produce and deliver your solution. Then imagine you would promote your activities with brochures, press releases, raise awareness and such. These are costs you should note down. What about administrative costs? Maybe someone has to apply for grants and write reports. Ensure that your revenue streams cover these expenses while leaving room for “profit”. In this case, your profits are not channelled to enrich you but to grow your humanitarian work and pay yourself and your team a living wage.

Some tips for your journey: 

  1. Find partnerships that provide you with the resources you need. Collaborate with organizations, government agencies, or NGOs that share your social mission. 
  2. Use the business plan approach to balance your social impact with profitability! You can check out a traditional structure of a business plan here > 
  3. Develop a system for measuring and reporting your social impact. This transparency can attract customers and investors who are aligned with your mission. Leverage storytelling and share your journey and impact to connect with your audience.
  4. Choose a legal structure that aligns with your goals, such as a B Corporation (benefit corporation) or a nonprofit organization. Each has its own regulatory requirements.
  5. Be prepared to adapt your model as you learn and grow. Continuously seek feedback from customers, stakeholders, and the community.

Remember that the balance between social impact and profitability can be delicate, but creating a successful social business model that achieves both is possible. It’s essential to remain flexible and committed to your mission as you work toward making a positive difference.

Connect with us, and get our app.

We hope you got value out of this article. Let us know how we can support you and share your results with the TRIBE. Follow us on our socials – Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube. It is time to own your life. We created our Tribe platform to empower African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the TRIBE app (Android version) here. For IOS users, or if you simply want the web app, get it here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here for our monthly mail. If you wish to contact us, use our contact form or the contact menu in the TRIBE app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Done With Carpentry Vocational Training? Here Are 5 Lucrative Business Variations

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Done With Carpentry Vocational Training? Here Are 5 Lucrative Business Variations

Carpentry is a valuable skill, and starting a lucrative business in this field can be rewarding. But after you complete your vocational training in carpentry, what next? Do you want to “hope” for fish, or do you want to know how to fish for yourself? In this article, we will explore 5 different ideas which you can venture into and start a low-capital-intensive business. Here are a few ideas:

  1. Pre-designed portable furniture
  2. Custom Furniture Making
  3. Woodworking Classes
  4. Self-assembled furniture
  5. Wooden Home Decor

Pre-designed portable furniture: Whether you have designing skills or partner with an artist, you can create portable furnitures that you can produce in quantity. Your specialisation would be to release new and limited designs regularly that you can produce in amounts based on demand. Portable furniture can be easily delivered and is not extremely expensive to purchase. 

Custom Furniture Making: Create unique, handcrafted furniture pieces like tables, chairs, or shelves. You can sell these items online through platforms like Etsy or at local craft fairs. Start small and reinvest your earnings to expand your product range.

Woodworking Classes: If you’re skilled in carpentry, consider teaching woodworking classes. You can rent a small workshop space or offer online classes to reach a broader audience. This can be a great way to share your expertise and generate income. If you extend this to tutorials on social platforms, you can monetize your content through ads, affiliate marketing, or by offering premium courses.

Self-assembled furniture: The Swedish brands IKEA and JSYK have mastered this concept to create a lucrative business model, but who says you can’t even take it further? Design a piece of furniture that is wanted and of value to people but design it in a way that allows them to assemble it themselves. Those handy customers will pay less if they can build their pieces themselves. You can start with a single reading table and market it to as many customers as possible. 

Wooden Home Decor: Create wooden home decor items such as wall art, planters, or candleholders. These items are popular and can be sold both online and in local markets.

But how do you get your lucrative business started? 

  1. Build a Portfolio to showcase your skills to potential clients or customers.
  2. Decide on a business structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.)
  3. Register your business and obtain any necessary licenses or permits.
  4. Set up a business bank account.
  5. Research your target market to understand their preferences and pricing expectations. 
  6. Tailor your products or services to meet the market demands.
  7. Invest in the necessary carpentry tools and equipment, but consider buying used tools to save money initially.
  8. Create a website or social media profile to showcase your work and connect with potential clients. 
  9. Utilize online marketplaces like Etsy or eBay if you’re selling products.
  10. Attend local woodworking events, join online forums, and connect with other artisans.
  11. Set competitive yet profitable prices for your products or services. 
  12. Be patient and continually improve your skills. 

Connect with us, and get our app.

We hope you got value out of this article. Good luck with your venture! Let us know how we can support you and share your results with the TRIBE. Follow us on our socials – Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube. It is time to own your life. We created our Tribe platform to empower African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the TRIBE app (Android version) here. For IOS users, or if you simply want the web app, get it here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here for our monthly mail. If you wish to contact us, use our contact form or the contact menu in the TRIBE app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

5 Practical Steps To Launch A No-Capital Affiliate Marketing Business.

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5 Practical Steps To Launch A No-Capital Affiliate Marketing Business.

Here is the big news! Starting an affiliate marketing business with zero capital in Africa is possible but requires dedication and some strategic planning. After exploring several Afiilaite opportunities, here are our recommended and practical steps to help you get started:

  1. Choose a Niche
  2. Identify your products
  3. Find Affiliate Programs
  4. Create your platform
  5. Drive traffic to your platform

Choose a Niche: Select a niche you are passionate about or know about. This will make it easier for you to create content and promote products. However, if you do not have any, begin developing your understanding of a specific niche.

Identify your products: Research your chosen niche thoroughly. Identify products or services that are in demand and have affiliate programs. Not all products you love offer affiliate programs, but be curious and determined enough to reach out. You can be smart and find products beneficial to your community that have not yet been in distribution.

Find Affiliate Programs: There are already networks of affiliate sites that can match you with the right product. Look for affiliate programs that are free to join. Some examples of affiliate networks that accept international affiliates include Amazon Associates, ClickBank, and ShareASale. ClickBank is an affiliate marketplace, so be sure to explore it.

Create your platform: now that you know which niche, have knowledge of the sector and have found a product, your next logical step is to create your own promotional platform, which can be a Blog or Website. Start a blog or website in your chosen niche. You can use free platforms like WordPress or Blogger. 

Drive traffic to your platform: Choose how to reach potential customers. A platform alone will not do the magic. Regularly create high-quality content related to your niche. This could be blog posts, videos, or podcasts. Ensure your content is valuable and provides solutions or information to your audience. Identify relevant affiliate products or services to promote within your content. Ensure they align with your niche and are of interest to your audience. Capitalise on more organic ways to drive traffic to your platform, like mastering SEO Optimization. 

*Until now, all you have spent money on is your internet data, but all your work so far can be done under free wifi. 

Top 5 skills for digital entrepreneur > READ

Several digital tools (with free versions) can enhance your work and help you drive traffic, and here are some;

  1. Mailchimp – This is an excellent tool for Email Marketing – Build an email list by offering a freebie or newsletter subscription on your blog. Send regular emails to your subscribers with valuable content and affiliate product recommendations.
  2. Canva – This tool can help you create graphics and posts to schedule on your social platforms. Use social media platforms to promote your content and affiliate products. Share your content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
  3. Other free digital tools to help you manage your new business in affiliate marketing include text editing and sharing like Google docs and numbers editing & sharing like Google sheets.

Here are examples of potential products to start with:

  • Antivirus Software.
  • Website Hosting
  • Email Marketing Tools
  • Shopify 
  • WooCommerce

No woman is an island. Connect with other bloggers and affiliate marketers in your niche to learn from their experiences and potentially collaborate on projects. As you earn commissions, reinvest some of the earnings into your business. This could be used for paid advertising, improving your website, or outsourcing tasks. Success in affiliate marketing takes time and effort. Be patient, and keep refining your strategies as you go along. Additionally, always disclose your affiliate relationships to maintain transparency with your audience. Good luck with your affiliate marketing venture! 

Connect with us, and get our app.

We hope you got value out of this article. Let us know how we can support you and share your results with the TRIBE. Follow us on our socials – Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube. It is time to own your life. We created our Tribe platform to empower African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the TRIBE app (Android version) here. For IOS users, or if you simply want the web app, get it here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here for our monthly mail. If you wish to contact us, use our contact form or the contact menu in the TRIBE app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Find Your Uniqueness With Our Xperience Mapping Tool

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Find Your Uniqueness With Our Xperience Mapping Tool

Every business or idea needs some flavour to which only you can add it. There is basically no new idea out there. Someone somewhere is already applying something similar to the principle you want to employ. What makes you stand out is your uniqueness, which you bring to the table. In this short article, we will explore how to make out that unique you so that you can change the game in your industry. Here are some points to consider:

  1. Identify Your Passions
  2. Strengths and Skills
  3. Life Experiences
  4. Values and Beliefs
  5. Hobbies and Interests
  6. Personal Journey
  7. Cultural Background
  8. Inspirations and Role Models
  9. Education and Learning
  10. Creative Expression
  11. Goals and Aspirations
  12. Feedback and Reflection

Let us explore each point to help you find your uniqueness!

Identify Your Passions: Start by listing what you are genuinely passionate about. Do not limit yourself to what you have already ventured into. You might be passionate about some things you have yet to explore. What topics or activities excite and energize you?

Strengths and Skills: What are you naturally good at? Some may call this talent, but these talents often evolve because you have spent time training them. What have you developed expertise in overtime? Explore both the mundane skills as well as the highly expertised ones. Do not downplay yourself.

Life Experiences: We might tend to suppress the negative life experiences and cling to the positive. It is natural. But please open up and think about your life experiences, both positive and negative. Because it is from the negative experiences, we often have lessons learned. From the lessons we know, we develop valuable skills. How have these experiences shaped you and your perspective on the world? Take, for example, a young girl, Amina, who was born into a financially deprived family in the north of Nigeria and had to take her younger omnes to school every morning before attending her classes. This is a valuable skill. She has learned responsibility, catering for the needy and managing her time, among other skills up her sleeves. Do not let the world tell you that because no academic body stamped a certificate on that skill, it is not valuable and worth mentioning in your story. 

Values and Beliefs: Consider your core values and beliefs. Here, we encourage you to explore in depth what you truly believe, not what your community expects you to find valuable or to believe in. What principles guide your decision-making and actions?

Hobbies and Interests: What are your hobbies and interests outside work or daily responsibilities? Do not be ashamed of them, no matter how outrageous you might think them to be. These can be sources of uniqueness.

Personal Journey: Reflect on your personal journey, including challenges you’ve overcome and milestones you’ve achieved. This ties in with your life experience, but we want you to emphasise the obstacles you overcame.

Cultural Background: Cultural background can be a significant part of your uniqueness. How has your culture influenced your perspective and identity?

Inspirations and Role Models: Who inspires you? Identifying role models can help you understand the qualities you admire and wish to embody. Remember, your role model must not be famous. 

Education and Learning: Consider your educational background and ongoing learning. What have you studied, and what do you continue to explore? Start as far as high school; consider tiny courses or workshops here and there that you attended. 

Creative Expression: How do you express yourself creatively? Whether through writing, art, or other forms, your creative outlets can reveal your uniqueness. Remember that creativity also lies in crafts. If you are not a traditional creative but a crafts person, your creative process will be within that craft. 

Goals and Aspirations: What are your long-term goals and aspirations? Your aspirations can reflect your unique ambitions and vision for the future. When seeking to know your goals, blend out that aspiration the world has put on you. Search for only that which really matters to you. 

Feedback and Reflection: Seek feedback from friends, family, and colleagues. Sometimes, others can see our uniqueness more clearly than we can. But be careful of envious and negative minds. Find people who care about you and that you can trust to confide in. 

Tell your “Uniqueness” journey. 

After identifying these 12 elements, combine them to find connections between these different aspects of your life. Your uniqueness may lie at the intersection of various experiences and interests. You will be amazed at what you realise. Feel free to embrace unconventional or non-traditional aspects of your identity or interests. Summarise what is on this sheet to tell a story about you. Say it out like you are telling a dear friend. Feel free to share your story, as sharing can help you connect with others who resonate with your journey. 

We have created a Xperience Mapping sheet to help you complete this exercise. Download it for free from the JoadreTRIBE. We hope you enjoyed this process of self-discovery. Remember that your uniqueness is valuable, and you can leverage it in various aspects of life, including your business endeavours.

Connect with us, and get our app.

We hope you got value out of this article. Let us know how we can support you and share your results with the TRIBE. Follow us on our socials – Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube. It is time to own your life. We created our Tribe platform to empower African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the TRIBE app (Android version) here. For IOS users, or if you simply want the web app, get it here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here for our monthly mail. If you wish to contact us, use our contact form or the contact menu in the TRIBE app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Looking For Lucrative Business Ideas? Use JoadreTRIBE app

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Looking For Lucrative Business Ideas? Use JoadreTRIBE app

Hello there! Welcome to our article on the JoadreTRIBE. JoadreTRIBE is a dynamic platform designed to assist students and savvy entrepreneurs in finding and developing a lucrative business idea. Our platform is a web app you can get on your smartphone. Works best with smartphones! We offer various resource tools tailored to inspire creativity and entrepreneurship. To become a member of the JoadreTRIBE is a game-changer, and here is why:

1. **Idea Generation:** We consistently publish new business ideas based on sustainability, localization efficiency and global trends forecast. 

2. **Resource Repository:** Our app offers an extensive repository of resources, including training videos, tools and templates, that guide you through turning your ideas into viable businesses. 

3. **Real-World Readiness:** Using JoadreTRIBE, you gain practical knowledge that prepares you for the challenges of the real business world, increasing your entrepreneurial success.

Do not miss out on these great app features to help you find a lucrative business idea: 

Build a business with Joadre
  • Ideation: Finding the right business idea can be daunting, but with JoadreTRIBE, we’ve got you covered. Our app is packed with valuable content for discovering unique business ideas that resonate with your passions and skills. We have a consistently updated idea library!
  • Idea Oasis: Stuck in the idea phase? We’ve got your back! joadreTRIBE is your brainstorming buddy, offering endless inspiration to find the perfect business idea tailored to your passions and skills. Check out the Idea Hub > https://tribe.joadre.com/services/ideas
  • Tools and Templates Galore: Building your dream business is a breeze with our extensive library of tools and templates. From business plans to marketing strategies, we’ve got the blueprint for your success.
  • Expert Guidance: Our business consultants are at your service when you need that extra push. Get personalized advice to tackle challenges head-on and achieve your goals. Access a treasure trove of resources, guides, and expert advice to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey confidently.
  • Funding Unleashed: Need capital to turn your vision into reality? Discover funding opportunities and learn the art of securing investments through our app. Check out our funding list, which we update regularly, but its only accessible to Tribe Citizens > https://tribe.joadre.com/services/funding
  • Masterclass in Global Business: Ready to take your business global? Our tutorial library is your go-to resource for learning the ropes of international entrepreneurship.
  • Legal Peace of Mind: Legal questions bogging you down? Find answers in seconds with our comprehensive FAQ section, ensuring you’re always on the right side of the law. Find out more > https://tribe.joadre.com/services/faqLegal

Our strength is our technological flexibility to customize our app features to further help you explore your interests, skills, and passions, leading to the discovery of unique business concepts. We are excited about JoadreTRIBE and hope you will be, too. Get on board and find a lucrative business idea > https://tribe.joadre.com

Connect with us, and get our app.

We hope you got value out of this article. Let us know how we can support you and share your results with the TRIBE. Follow us on our socials – Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube. It is time to own your life. We created our Tribe platform to empower African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the TRIBE app (Android version) here. For IOS users, or if you simply want the web app, get it here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here for our monthly mail. If you wish to contact us, use our contact form or the contact menu in the TRIBE app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Confused About Which Idea To Run With? Try Out SWOT!

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Confused About Which Idea To Run With? Try Out SWOT!

It is okay to have so many ideas, especially as a creative. You get instantly inspired to start something and then wonder if you are on the right path. How do you know if your idea is worth pursuing or not? There is no magic remedy to solve this problem, but there are techniques you can apply, and one such method for selecting an idea from the bunch you have is to carry out a SWOT analysis. 

What does SWORT mean?

SWOT stands for your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Strengths and weaknesses are internal factors. Something that has to do more with you than with someone else. While opportunities and threats are often those elements that are beyond your control. SWOT is a strategic planning technique every entrepreneur should master and employ as often as possible, especially when they get stuck. 

  • Strengths: characteristics of your idea that gives it an advantage over similar idea.
  • Weaknesses: attributes of your idea that disadvantage it to other similar ideas or existing ideas.
  • Opportunities: elements in your environment that your idea could exploit to its advantage.
  • Threats: factors in your environment that could cause trouble for ideas.

Before you can carry out a SWOT analysis, you will need to have substantial information. You must understand the market in which you intend to carry out your idea. Conduct Market and competitor research before you begin Analysing your ideas using the SWOT technique. After you have enough information, start your evaluation by exploring your “strengths”, and here are two significant questions to ask. 

  1. Do you have excellent knowledge about your idea, or would you need to hire someone with good knowledge?
  2. What makes your idea more unique compared to others already doing this business. 

Think of more characteristics that can give you an advantage over others in the same market.  

Explore SWOT – Weaknesses. 

Let’s take a look at Weaknesses. You must analyse factors based on internal elements and characteristics. Something that has to do more with you than with someone else. 

In what areas do you need to improve? Is it in expertise, funds, access, network, resources, etc? Specify only those areas within your control. SO government regulation cannot be a weakness, but it would rather be a threat. Do you understand?

Analyse opportunities and threats.

Let us analyse the opportunities and threats using these 5 factors categories. There are definitely more categories, but these are major and can help you stay on the right track. 

  1. Demand for your idea: On a scale of 1 to 10, how high will you rate the need for your idea in your market? 
  2. Legislations: Are there government standards or legislations that will determine if you can start, continue and grow your business? Do you need a long process of certification? Is it expensive? Can you afford it?
  3. Human resources and network:  Do you need others to carry out an essential part of your idea – RELIABILITY OF WORKERS? 
  4. Competitors reach: Are there also strong competitors getting into this sector? Is that going to be a threat or an opportunity? 
  5. Scaling opportunity: How would you decide to scale your idea? 

Connect with us, and get our app.

We hope we have been able to throw some light on how to use the SWOT technique. Let us know how we can support you and share your results with the TRIBE. Our JoadreTRIBE app publishes new templates and tools that help you develop your idea. Coming soon is our SWOT card. Remember to join the tribe and download your free templates. 

Follow us on our socials – Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube. It is time to own your life. We created our Tribe platform to empower African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the TRIBE app (Android version) here. For IOS users, or if you simply want the web app, get it here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here for our monthly mail. If you wish to contact us, use our contact form or the contact menu in the TRIBE app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

3 Templates To Help You Launch Your Business – WHY, Blueprint And Road Map

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3 Templates To Help You Launch Your Business – WHY, Blueprint And Road Map

Congratulations! You are ready to launch your business after sieving through plenty of ideas. You have found the one you connect with and are prepared to give all to make it successful. But what next? We have been there and often come back to this point at Joadre when we want to launch a new project or sub-aspect of our business. Since these 3 templates have been precious to our success, we want to share them with you. Follow them chronologically, as that is how they can be applied effectively. Let’s delve in step-by-step – Start with finding your WHY!

Tip: Print out the templates, and grab a drink and a pen before you start!

WHY – Understand your WHY

Finding your “why” for a business idea involves discovering your venture’s deeper purpose and motivations. Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why” concept suggests that successful businesses are often driven by a strong sense of purpose beyond making money. 

#3 Start with Why – Simon Sinek

The book tells you how to create your company’s “WHY” but also looks into failed techniques. 

  • Page number: 256
  • Publishing company: Portfolio
  • Date: 27th December 2011
  • ISBN: 9781591846444
  • Click to get book >

We have an exercise for you below, but here is a brief step-by-step guide to help you find your “why” for a business idea:

Self-Reflect: Begin by asking yourself a series of questions:

   – What are your passions and interests?

   – What values are important to you?

   – What problems or challenges in the world resonate with you?

   – What impact do you want to have on your customers, community, or society?

Identify Your Strengths: Consider your skills, expertise, and experiences. How can you leverage them to address the problems or challenges you’re passionate about?

Connect Emotionally: Think about how your business idea aligns with your personal values and passions. Your emotional connection to the idea can drive your commitment and perseverance.

We have created our own template and the 6 Key Workbook we use to discover the deeper purpose and love for any project we want to start with. Get these tools for FREE and work through the exercises. Understanding your WHY is crucial to the success of your idea.

How to use the WHY template 

  1. Start by asking yourself the question – Why do I want to launch this idea? As the thoughts and answers float at the back of your mind, begin to explore the “Method boxes”. If you do not want to forget them, jot it down with a pencil in the WHY box now.
  2. What are you passionate about? It could be a thing or a topic. Write it in the appropriate method box.
  3. What activities bring you joy? Write it in the appropriate method box.
  4. What thing, topic, or experience makes you afraid? What are your fears? Write it in the appropriate method box.
  5. Which experiences have you had that really were unforgettable for you. Write it in the appropriate method box.
  6. What do you want to change in your space, community or society? Write it in the appropriate method box.
  7. Now move to identify patterns in those 5 method boxes. Are there things that were repeated again and again? List them in the box. 
  8. It is time to return the thoughts and answers to the why questions. From the list written down in the pattern box, combine to form a stringer motivation – a deeper WHY. Re-write or update your WHY in the box provided. 
  9. Remember to tick where you feel your WHY stands – Survival, thriving, Status, freedom, PURPOSE? 

Remember that finding your “why” is a journey that may require time and introspection. It’s not just about a catchy slogan; it’s about creating a genuine and meaningful foundation for your business that inspires both you and others.

Blueprint – Design Your Journey

Everyone has their own unique path to achieving their dreams, ventures, goals or imagination. Now, let us use our template to help you develop your very individual blueprint. Download our blueprint template here, and let’s start by locating your starting point. 

  1. Fill in the name of the project, business or idea. If you do not have one, think of a provisional title. 
  2. It is essential to set a period for yourself. This will help you become more accountable to yourself. Do you want to explore this journey for 6 months or longer? For 5 years or 10? Identify the period for this primary goal. You can use this same blueprint template for smaller sub-projects or activities. 
  3. Then go beneath the “I am here” circle and write your status quo. For example, if you want to start a restaurant and already have an empty space, your status quo is I have an unquipped space, etc.
  4. Go back up to the “I want to be here” circle and define what you want to have achieved by the end of your chosen period. Be very specific. To state, “I want to launch a great restaurant,” is vague. What is an excellent restaurant from your perspective? Would you serve breakfast, lunch and dinner? Have 12 employees? Have 10 tables? Have your own menu? Have 100 regular customers? Have a pompous indigenous interior design? Do you see what we mean? Be specific! If that space is insufficient, get a plane sheet to be your “I want to be here” circle!
  5. Now break down all you need to do to take you from the circle “I am here” to the circle “I want to be here”. Arrange them under 6 categories and label each category as a milestone. Write the title of the milestones to be what is accomplished. Keep the breakdowns, as you will need them now for the following template tool – Road Map!

Tip: Place this Blueprint on the wall in a space you visit regularly to remind yourself of your unique journey and mission. 

Road Map – Travel your path smoothly!

We are almost done. Get your Road Map template here. 

Now, let us get deeper into the nitty gritty of each milestone you identified in your blueprint. Remember the breakdown we said you should keep? Pull them out now. List every activity you can remember that you must accomplish to help you complete each milestone. Remember to write the name and period to achieve the overall idea.  

When you feel lost and need help knowing the next step, return to the road map and check whether things are still open or unachieved! Thats it. We wish you great luck and energy in practising these action steps. 

Connect with us, and get our app.

We hope you got value out of this article. Let us know how we can support you and share your results with the TRIBE. Follow us on our socials – Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube. It is time to own your life. We created our Tribe platform to empower African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the TRIBE app (Android version) here. For IOS users, or if you simply want the web app, get it here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here for our monthly mail. If you wish to contact us, use our contact form or the contact menu in the TRIBE app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Navigating the AI Frontier: 7 Strategies To Stay Relevant in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

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Navigating the AI Frontier: 7 Strategies To Stay Relevant in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

In today’s rapidly changing landscape, AI is reshaping industries, from healthcare to finance. The new message is that we as humans and all the things we create, be it our ideas or businesses, must adapt and embrace the AI revolution to remain pertinent. Let us change our perspective for a brief second. In many African societies, oral traditions and knowledge systems encoded medicinal knowledge, agricultural practices and information, which were employed in ancient times. 

Yes, these are not AI as we know it today, but these knowledge systems were forms of information storage and retrieval. So, if our ancestors already knew how to store and reengage information, why are we waiting? Can we bend AI to meet our human demands? You can stay in the traditional concepts, but when you are open to trying new paths, here are seven strategies to help you stay ahead of the curve. 

  1. Leverage your experiences. 
  2. Continuous Learning is Key. 
  3. Interdisciplinary Thinking.
  4. Collaboration, not Competition. 
  5. Entrepreneurial Ventures.
  6. Innovative Solutions.
  7. Speed and Adaptability. 

Leverage your experiences. 

Your experiences make the difference. From our DNA to what we experience daily, we are unique. No one has your story or the combination of things you have in the same way. It may be your heritage, background, skills, life circumstances, and more. We have come to an era where these things matter so much. 

  • Action step: Make some time to map out your unique experiences. 
  • Helpful tool: Xperience Mapping – Available on the JoadreTRIBE platform. After you log in, click Joadre Xperience Map to access this tool.

Continuous Learning is Key. 

The field of AI is constantly advancing. More so, should you evaluate where you are right now to discover where you should be heading and how. Whether you’re a professional or an entrepreneur, invest time in learning about the latest AI developments. Beyond learning about AI developments, there are a lot of new human-oriented skills that are becoming more relevant today. Find what is employable in your field and learn more about it. Also, how to use and harness AI technology is crucial. For example, our language is changing. New skills to create AI-driven prompts would be needed for future assistants, secretaries and other fields.

Interdisciplinary Thinking.

One-way streets are blocked now. Yes, you should specialise and harness the capability to think interdisciplinaryly. AI is not limited to computer scientists alone. Cross-disciplinary skills are invaluable. AI knowledge is most efficient when combined with expertise in healthcare, finance, marketing and more. This is how you can attain a unique cutting-edge solution and stay ahead of your counterparts.

Collaboration, not Competition. 

Can you compete with a medium that has no consciousness? Rather than viewing AI as a threat, consider it a tool to enhance your capabilities. Collaborate with AI systems to boost productivity and efficiency. This approach ensures you stay relevant by leveraging AI rather than competing against it.

Entrepreneurial Ventures.

As we head into this new world, consider ideas that can be enhanced with the new technologies available. If you are in the ideation phase, this is the time to look for opportunities where AI can make a difference. AI-powered startups are flourishing, addressing problems in novel ways. Identifying a niche where AI can create value is a smart move.

Innovative Solutions.

This is the time to evaluate if you have been in the game for a while. Depending on the problem your solution solves, conduct a check-in to see if there are new ways to approach that problem that differ from how you have been doing it. What technology is available? Can you design an up-to-date variation to offer alongside your traditional product? Introduce new and innovative ways to solve problems within the business model. This can include adopting cutting-edge technology or rethinking traditional processes.

  • Action step: Make some time to check in on your business. 
  • Helpful tool: General Check-up – Available on the JoadreTRIBE platform. After you log in, click General Check-up to access this tool.

Speed and Adaptability. 

If you want to stay ahead, especially in an environment where startup capital is limited, you must remain open to new technologies and methodologies. The old way of doing things only favours those it has favoured. If that is not you, then be ready to adapt and embrace speed. Speed does not mean your life should get hectic. It means better time management and clarity about where you want to head and how to get there. Remember, flexibility is crucial in the AI landscape, where innovations occur rapidly.

This AI Vs. Human scenario will shock you. 

Bamilola launched a marketing agency a while ago. She has struggled to find talent in Lagos. Over six months, she has had to stop three workers. She is on her fourth, but this employee is always on sick leave. The first one delivered her copy late, leading to angry clients. The second had many errors in her document, even when Bamilola introduced her to correction software. She was not bothered to learn how to use it. The third one felt overwhelmed by delivering one copy per week. They all earned an average of 280 dollars per month. 

There are over 90 million underemployed or unemployed in the country. Bamilola, a small business owner, feels obligated to help solve that problem by employing one person. Like many small business owners, she too must retain clients and make a favourable decision to her business. 

Bamilola discovered 10 AI tools and began to learn. After four months, she subscribed to the paying version of all tools, and right now, she spends about 220 dollars monthly paying for the tools. However, they generate copy, documents, text, content and lots more for Bamilola. She edits her content faster, gets suggestions, and everything is on point. Her clients are happy, and she can grow. Why should Bamilola retain the employees who cost her 280 dollars each and a headache?

In this story, AI has kicked off Bamilola’s employee. For Bamilola to scale her business, she is looking for employees ready to learn how to use these tools. The issue here is that the 280-dollar salary went to an employee in Nigeria. However, the 220 dollars for the AI tools goes to large corporations and venture capitalists in the West. Do you see how capital is being extracted right before our eyes? But truthfully, would you rather struggle to survive with employees without a vision, or would you strive for efficiency and ease? The creators of AI know your answer already! 

This is where the traditional school system should wake up. Before they do, self-education platforms like our JoadreTRIBE are bridging the gap with future-oriented learning. Relax. We know this article is extensive, but we have you covered. Stay with us on the tribe as we break down each point and create new tools to help you master and harness future technology. 

>> Call to African diasporas. 

Do not wait for global politics to fix the issues in the African continent. Many are busy chasing the next technological breakthrough or the next war. Most of us have access to travel to explore because we can afford it, and we have the liberty to express ourselves. It is time to learn, discover, and return to the continent. 

Other strategies to stay ahead of the new developments include networking with AI professionals, leveraging your brand and storytelling skills, and tailoring your business to cater to the specific needs of underserved niches and customers. 

In conclusion, staying relevant is not about resisting change but embracing it and defining its impact. Continuous learning, ethical considerations, collaboration, and a forward-thinking mindset will ensure you remain relevant in the AI-driven future.

Connect with us, and get our app.

We hope you got value out of this article. Let us know how we can support you and share your results with the TRIBE. Follow us on our socials – Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube. It is time to own your life. We created our Tribe platform to empower African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the TRIBE app (Android version) here. For IOS users, or if you simply want the web app, get it here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here for our monthly mail. If you wish to contact us, use our contact form or the contact menu in the TRIBE app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Overcome The Challenges To Start Your Idea

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Overcome The Challenges To Start Your Idea

Starting a business in Africa can be an exciting but challenging journey. In this blog post, we’ll dive into 10 common challenges entrepreneurs face on the continent and explore practical strategies to overcome them.

  1. Infrastructure and Logistics.
  2. Access to Capital.
  3. Bureaucracy and Red Tape.
  4. Talent Acquisition and Retention. 
  5. Economic Instability is a real challenge.
  6. Limited Access to Technology.
  7. Market Competition.
  8. Cultural Sensitivity.
  9. Sustainability and Social Impact.
  10. Political Instability

Infrastructure and Logistics

There is no way we can list challenges and not start here. Poor infrastructure can affect supply chains and distribution channels. Invest in efficient logistics and explore partnerships with reliable suppliers to mitigate these issues.

Access to Capital, among other challenges.

No matter your idea’s size, you will need cash to cover some expenses. Securing funding can be a significant hurdle as banks demand guarantees and complex loan allocation procedures. If you get one, the interest rates are enormou. To overcome this, consider bootstrapping, seeking angel investors, or exploring local and international grants and competitions.

Bureaucracy and Red Tape.

In many regions, informal and formal structures are at your doorstep, asking for this permit or that fee. Navigating complex regulations and bureaucracy can be time-consuming. Build solid relationships with local authorities and seek legal counsel to help streamline the process.

Talent Acquisition and Retention. 

Finding skilled, reliable and engaged employees can be challenging despite the unemployment and underemployment rates. Develop training programs and create a positive workplace culture to retain top talent.

Economic Instability is a real challenge.

We keep saying foreign investment should come into the continent, but unfortunately, it is only a few countries that can guarantee economic stability. As of writing this article, Nigeria moved from a dollar rate of 1 dollar to 450 Naira in May 2023 to 1 dollar to 950 naira in September of the same year. Currency fluctuations and economic Instability are common challenges. Diversify your income streams, hedge against currency risks, and monitor the economic landscape. 

Limited Access to Technology.

 Our world is moving into a solely digital space, and there is much catching up to do in Africa, except we find our own direction. But for now, many regions need more access to advanced technology. Leverage what is available and consider partnerships with tech providers to bridge the gap.

Market Competition.

African markets are often highly competitive. Differentiate your business by offering unique value, innovative solutions, or exceptional customer service.

Cultural Sensitivity.

Understanding local customs and cultures is crucial to the success of your business idea. Engage with local communities and adapt your business strategies accordingly.

Sustainability and Social Impact.

Businesses prioritising sustainability and social impact resonate well with African consumers because there is some work to be done in development; however, most of the consumers that need this kind of social support may find it challenging to pay high fees for it. Incorporate responsible business practices into your model that engages third-party support. Listen to this Jpod about how to create multiple income streams. 

One of the most crucial challenges is Political Instability.

Political changes can impact businesses, and this is not specific to Africa but happens more often as many economic structures depend on Social Capital. Stay informed, diversify your market presence, and have contingency plans.

Remember, every business journey is unique. Adaptability, resilience, and a deep understanding of the local context are vital to overcoming these challenges. Embrace Africa’s rich diversity and opportunities, and you’ll be on the path to entrepreneurial success. Let us know how we can support you. Follow us on our socials for a daily dose of empowering posts – Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube. It is time to own your life. If you wish to contact us, use the contact menu in the TRIBE app. 

Stay awesome, and thank you for reading this email. 

Cheers

Joadre

5 Ways To Thrive And Beat Depression Despite Financial Limitations                                                                                               

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5 Ways To Thrive And Beat Depression Despite Financial Limitations                                                                                               

You will agree with us that depression is a persuasive mental ability that comes along with numerous difficulties and significant expenses. And this current inflated cost of living is not helping. Instead, it causes many to suffer depression, but let’s find out how you can beat depression and thrive in spite. Hey, dealing with financial limitations can be challenging, but here are a few strategies to help you succeed and avoid falling into depression:

  1. Create your budget. 
  2. Manage your expectations
  3. Stay Social
  4. Seek professional help
  5. Practice gratitude

Budget to beat depression. 

Budgeting is not only for economics professionals but also a financial management tool that can help you in your personal life. Create your realistic budget by outlining your income and expenses. This will help you get a clear picture of where your money is going, and having this knowledge will allow you to make informed financial decisions.

Manage your expectations.

With the rise of social media and fast news reports, we can be lured to compare ourselves to others. This is dangerous and increases our anxiety. Everyone has their own journey and path in this life. Adjust your expectations to avoid comparing yourself to others. With our Blueprint template, you can actually carve out your own journey and take your own pace. Everyone’s financial situation is different, and focusing on your own progress is essential.

Stay Social with the right crew.

Engage with friends and family, even if you’re facing financial limitations. Isolating yourself will worsen your mood and make it even harder to beat depression. Everyone needs a healthy social circle. Remember, blood relatives or close family members must not define your social circle. If they aggravate your negative feelings, you must disconnect so that you can safeguard yourself. Equip yourself with the proper social support. Social support can play a significant role in maintaining your mental health.

Reach out to family, link up with friends, laugh, play, connect to social groups, and share ideas.

Seek Professional Help

The rising inflation, unemployment rates and limited access to basic amenities have contributed to the financial burden of almost everyone, especially families. Dealing with these difficulties can be mentally and emotionally exhausting, often leading to feelings of depression and anxiety. We see you! However, if you find yourself struggling with depression, consider reaching out to a mental health professional. They can provide guidance and support tailored to your needs.

Practice Gratitude

Being grateful and cultivating a gratitude mindset is an excellent way to improve your overall well-being and beat depression. Even when there are less frequent reasons to practice gratitude, try intentionally to focus on the positive aspects of your life. Those little things happening to you that bring joy, take them seriously and notice them by giving them more attention. This can help shift your perspective and attract even more positive experiences. Remember, gratitude is a personal journey, so find the methods that resonate most with you. Here are three significant action steps you can start right now:

  1. Gratitude Journaling: Set aside a few minutes daily to jot down things you’re grateful for so that you can focus on the positive aspects of your life. It could be as simple as a good meal, a kind gesture, or a beautiful sunset. 
  2. Mindful Appreciation: Incorporate mindfulness into your routine. Pay attention to the details around you when you’re in the moment. Whether it’s the sound of birds chirping, the warmth of the sun, or the taste of your favourite food, being present and appreciating these small moments can foster a sense of gratitude.
  3. Express Gratitude: Take the time to thank people who have positively impacted your life. Letting them know you appreciate their actions can strengthen your relationships, whether it’s a friend, family member, coworker, or even a stranger.

Remember, your resilience and resourcefulness are valuable assets that can help you beat depression. While financial limitations can be challenging, they don’t define your worth or potential for happiness. Stay strong and keep working toward your goals.

Connect with us, and get our app.

We hope you got value out of this blog article. It is time to own your life. We created our Tribe platform to empower African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the TRIBE app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

5 Top Techniques To Brainstorm Great Business Ideas 

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5 Top Techniques To Brainstorm Great Business Ideas 

Even seasoned entrepreneurs come to a certain point in their journey where they need to brainstorm ideas just like they did at the beginning. Brainstorming business ideas is all about generating creative and innovative concepts that have the potential to solve problems, fulfil needs, or capitalize on emerging trends. You might be looking for ideas to start a business with, so let’s explore ways to effectively brainstorm and find what works for you. Remember, there is no wrong answer during Brainstorming! Here are our top xxx ways you can use to brainstorm business ideas:

  1. Mind mapping
  2. Problem-Solution Exercise
  3. Analogous Thinking
  4. Reverse Engineering
  5. SCAMPER Technique

Brainstorm Ideas Using The Mind Mapping Technique.

Get a piece of paper and write a central idea or theme in the middle. Spend some time reflecting on what you have written out. Now expand that central theme by writing out every related concept, feature, and possibility that comes to your mind. When you apply this visual approach, you can uncover different angles and connections to your initial idea. Download our mind mapping template here > 

Be The Case Study Using A Problem-Solution Exercise

We all have issues we want to change or feel we know better how they should be handled. This is where you can imagine! Start by Identifying problems or pain points in your own life or in your community. If you do not find one single issue to identify within your space, then look further into society at large. Now, find common threads. You can get a friend or two to join you in this exercise, and you all identify things that come up repeatedly. After identifying problems, brainstorm solutions or business ideas that could address these issues effectively.

Analogous Thinking – Search outside the box

This exercise is vital if you are already aware of the industry you want to start a business in. Look outside your industry for inspiration. Start by listing at least 3 sectors outside the one you are venturing into. Research and list successful concepts from these unrelated fields. Now, brainstorm how their principles could be applied to your business idea. We are always curious about the results when our students do this exercise, so feel free to share yours with us using our contact menus in Joadre TRIBE.

Reverse Engineer To Find Your Great Idea

Start by choosing an existing product, service, or business model. Choose one for now, but you can carry out this exercise multiple times. Ask yourself these three questions: How can you improve it? What would you modify and why? Can you adapt it to create something new and unique? Note down your answers on a sheet of paper and repeat this exercise for similar products, services, or business models. Do this for at least three matching products, then begin to find common answers within. Does any result stand out?

SCAMPER Technique Brings Seven New Variations

SCAMPER stands for a series of strategies – Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse. To use this method, you must have generated a few ideas or know what you might like to do. But if you do not have an existing idea, pick an idea, product or business you admire and love so much. That business that you wish you owned! The exercise here is to create variations and new concepts of the ideas you like. Let us apply these strategies to your ideas to create variations and new concepts. You will derive at least seven new versions. This is how you go about it – If you were to “Substitute” your idea or the product you love for a similar one, what/how would that look like? Carry on with the other strategies and find seven new versions. 

Time to wrap up and brainstorm!

There are at least ten more methods you can use, like SWOT Analysis, Niche Exploration, Random Word/Stimulus Generation, Questioning, Role Reversal, Future Trends Analysis, Collaborative Brainstorming, Start with “What If…technique, Visual Collages, Forced Connections and some more.

Remember, the goal of Brainstorming and your mission with this exercise is to generate a wide range of ideas without filtering them initially. After you are done, and you have a substantial list, you can then begin to evaluate and refine the most promising ones you connect with based on feasibility, market demand, and your own skills and interests. There are many ways to evaluate your ideas. For example, you can use our Idea Canva Template to fine-tune your identified ideas. 

Connect with us, and get our app.

We hope you got value out of this blog article. It is time to own your life. We created our Tribe platform to empower African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the TRIBE app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Representation Of The People Is Vital | With Seun Kuti

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Representation Of The People Is Vital | With Seun Kuti

Interview conducted: 2021

This interview with Seun Kuti during our shoot of the film Voices Uprising will throw a new light on issues that we might never reflect about. 

Meet Seun Kuti: 

Seun Kuti is a Nigerian musician, singer and the youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. He has spent most of his life preserving and extending his father’s political and musical legacy as the leader of his father’s former band Egypt 80. Seun Kuti has been a strong voice for the liberation of the Nigerian people. Since the EndSars protest in 2020, he has consistently educated the public using weekly Instagram videos and talks. 

Joadre: What are the issues affecting Nigeria?

Seun: I. think, the most pertinent of the issues affecting Nigeria is the lack of representation of the Nigerian people. The fact that nobody represents the Nigerian people. Everybody in power represents Nigeria. Nigeria and the Nigerian people are two different entities. Being that Nigeria itself was the creation of outsiders. It was not created for the benefit of the people trapped within its borders. 

Joadre: A couple of years ago, Nigeria celebrated 60 years of independence, and some celebrated the arm forces. How do you reflect on this, considering the state of things?

Seun: When Nigeria was created, it was created to exploit the people’s labour and resources. And nothing has been done since the 60 years we have had our so-called independence to reverse or change this Nigerian nation’s characteristics or the monster’s habit. Everything we have achieved has been achieved without and, at most times, against our military, who are always in support of our oppressors – be it our colonial oppressors or our downpressors that we have today. 

So what are we saying – celebrate our armed forces? When we know that, to fight for our independence in this country, we fought against our military institutions, which supported white men in killing their fellow Africans because of their salary and position. It is this same kind of people that run our country. People that are ready to kill us for white people so that they can collect their salary and position. That is still what they fight for today – Salary and position. 

Joadre: Looking from a global context, for example, access to education, capital, and care. How are Africans impacted?

Seun: My friends in America say banks do not give them loans because they are owned by white people, so the banks are racist. But I am like, look, the bankers are not racist. It is the institution of banking that is racist. Same thing with security. The way they kill us here is how they kill black people in Europe and America. Go to any bank here as an African and see if you can get loans. Africans can’t get loans in our banks here, but they are all black-owned. Just the way it is impossible to get bank loans internationally. It is not the ownership alone that matters; it is the institution of banking itself that was created to exclude African people.

Joadre: What about Education?

Seun: It is the same for education! If you look deeper, it is the same discrimination, be it in our own country or abroad. Our access to education is just as limited because the “academy” is nothing other than to exclude ideas. It is how some ideas are accepted, and others are excluded. So it is all the same game that we, as motherland people, live under institutions that are inherently against us. Even worse, we live under leadership unwilling to confront this significant problem that black people face. 

Joadre. Some time ago, you initiated the project – Power Mic. Tell us your thoughts and idea behind it. 

Seun: The Power Mic idea was about creating a new way of politics – the people’s way. What most people do is quite elitist. We get a venue where we are comfortable, we announce our program, we determine the topic, the scope, and the program, and then we invite the public to have the illusion of participation when the agenda is already decided. So Power Mic was to take the meeting to the people. Ask them what their issues are. If we can establish it properly, it can create our manifesto and give a solid voice for the people. 

It was a long conversation with Seun and so much food for thought. We have broken them down into several articles making the Seun Voices Uprising series. We want to raise awareness and mobilise people to create a better world. Share this article with your network. Subscribe to our Newsletter here to know when we release the next article under this series with Seun Kuti. Read more on our Voices Uprising series with Seun Kuti. 

Watch Seun Kuti in the documentary film Voices Uprising

Synopsis: A protest against police brutality ignites a debate around complex legacies that plague Nigeria and how to overcome them.

Film trailer

Running time: 54 minutes, 38″ // Languages spoken: English, Yoruba, Pidgin English, German // Subtitle: English.

Find Where To Watch The Film > https://voicesuprising.com

Other articles from Film protagonists: 

Remember to Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our Newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

3 Tips To Thrive Above Inflation: Sapa Edition

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3 Tips To Thrive Above Inflation: Sapa Edition

Everyone will agree with us that the last three months have been nothing but challenging. It’s been from one annoying problem to the other. And when I say problems, it is not the village people kind of problem ooo, but the economic situation our beloved Nigeria is currently going through. To add salt to the injury, Inflation has worsened matters for the average Nigerian. Foodstuff prices have skyrocketed, and fuel prices keep increasing daily, making transportation annoyingly expensive. The only advantage is less traffic, and one can get around quickly. The dollar rate is increasing every day. Many people’s mental health has been tested, but now it is confirmed: Nigerians are strong and can survive anything – pandemic, CBN wahala, so what is now common Sapa that we won’t survive. However, this cannot be the status quo! 

In light of our conversation about Inflation, here are our top three tips that many of our TRIBe members apply to help them thrive during this Sapa period. 

  1. Shine your eyes. (tracking your expenses)
  2. Be streetwise (Save and invest) 
  3. Be prudent (Budget your expenses)

 Shine your eyes. (tracking your expenses)

Tracking your expenses allows you to clearly understand where your money is going. Especially during inflation, recording and categorising your expenses will help you identify areas where you might be overspending or where you can cut back. This awareness enables you to make informed decisions about your spending habits and allocate your resources more efficiently. Understanding of price changes and other things can help make informed financial decisions. There are several Fintech tools to help you track finances.

Be streetwise (Save and invest) 

Saving and investing are crucial strategies for combating Inflation. By saving a portion of your income regularly, you build a financial cushion to help you weather inflationary periods. There are so many deals out there now. So this is the time to find ways to pay less. With the savings you create, gradually explore the potential of earning a side income. But before you invest in any idea, remember that planning is crucial. Read our blog on  5 businesses to start with less than 100K in Nigeria. Plan for it!

Be prudent (Manage your cashflow)

Cash flow is the relationship between the actual cash that comes in (income) and that which goes out (expenses). “Money not in hand is not in hand” that is the mantra with cash flow. This is a fundamental tool to help you understand and manage your finances. Creating a cash flow for your personal life should be something other than rocket science or treated as only a financial expert’s business. No, it is time for you to own your life, so you have to engage in shaping it. Start by listing the necessities you must pay for, like rent, feeding, etc. List your possible incomes, separating the ones that come regularly and those that fluctuate. Work around adapting the expenses to match the regular income. This will help you manage your cash flow so that you do not have to get loans and pay huge amounts of interest. 

Adapting and surviving in this period requires discipline, planning and a proactive approach. Though we know it may take time to adjust to these tips, implementing them will not only help but will go a long way in mitigating the impact on your financial well-being. Let us know if you have questions or further tips you can apply during these high inflation periods.

Connect with us, and get our app.

We hope you got value out of this blog article. It is time to own your life. We created our Tribe platform to empower African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the TRIBE app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

6 Essentials Beyond Money To Improve Lives In Nigeria

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6 Essentials Beyond Money To Improve Lives In Nigeria

Over the weekend, we stumbled on a survey report highlighting the most urgent needs of Nigerians right now – money! Nigeria, as a country, faces a multitude of challenges right now. Many Nigerians feel that money is their primary need, especially with the current inflation! While this feeling is understandable, and we all can agree that financial stability is essential, other urgent basic requirements are necessary to manoeuvre through these challenging times. Amongst others, these five needs are crucial;

  1. Access to electricity.
  2. Better security.
  3. Reliable and affordable transportation.
  4. Accessible loans for SMEs.
  5. Access to quality healthcare. 
  6. Improved educational opportunities.

As much as money is essential, these things are incredibly necessary to improve the lives of Nigerians. 

Access to electricity creates growth.

Iya Turkey, a striving single mother selling frozen food, has managed to raise her three sons with this business. One would expect such a business to have grown over the years, but the lack of power supply has made her business stagnant. Turkey upon Turkey has been damaged due to the fluctuating power supply. She invested money to purchase a small generator, but the fuel prices and availability have fluctuated over the years. Iya Turkey’s business cannot grow! With this consistent challenge, many brilliant entrepreneurs find it hard to cope or become innovative. 

Better security brings more money.

Tope, a young event photographer who works late nights, has been a victim to Robberberry and police brutality. Remember the #endSARS protest? Read more about it here > End SARS. He usually uses the money he makes to bail himself or risks having his equipment taken from him. This makes it difficult for Tope to save up money. Tope dreams of exploring some regions in the North for their landscape, architecture and culture, but he is afraid to travel there. Tope is one in thousands of young creatives who feel restricted by insecurity and, therefore, become limited in developing their creative work. 

Reliable and affordable transportation fosters development.

Emeka, an unemployed graduate, finally gets a job on the island. However, he lives in Ikorodu, so he must wake up as early as 4 a.m. to prepare for work. Not only does he have to deal with the early morning traffic, but he also has to deal with the high cost of transportation and possible robbery on the highway. He has to be productive because his employer wouldn’t care if he is coming from heaven; he just has to work. If more attention is paid to developing the transportation system, many people would be more productive since less time and effort if spent commuting.

Accessible loans prevent poverty.

Take Mummy Aliyah, a middle-aged widow who lost her husband and is left with 3 children to care for. As a single mother, she has an idea to sell thrift clothes but doesn’t have enough money to start the business. Do you think a bank will give her a loan? Suppose the government could intervene with a sustainable low-interest or interest-free loan, and Mummy Aliyah can launch her business properly. Would she not become self-sufficient? Would we not be empowering her and her children? Check out our 5 Key Strategies To Increase Business Growth – Joadre if you find yourself in the position of growing your business now. You will agree that even though many fintech companies in the country offer quick loans, how many of them are sincerely good and created to empower the recipient? Also, check our blog for tips on raising funds – Raise Funds For Your Business.

Access to good healthcare creates more entrepreneurship.

Without good health, no matter your great business idea or side hustle, you cannot develop it. Take Tola, an undergraduate who almost lost her younger sibling to typhoid. At the height of her sibling’s illness, they visited a primary health centre, which is supposed to be free, right? But she struggled to afford the outrageous medical tests and the prescribed drugs. Tola had to use up all her saved-up money, which she wanted to launch a business with, to pay the medical bills. 

Access to better education opens opportunities.

Unfortunately, Fareedah, an intelligent young girl from a financially poor household, attends a low-budget learning centre. Her parents cannot afford the textbooks, uniforms, and petty fees required for diverse projects. Often, Fareedah has to skip lessons to help her parents at the market. Due to the kind of mediocre education she is being exposed to and the inconsistency of her training, her potential is under-explored. Like many youngsters meandering the streets, she needs to be offered the platform to expand her mind and bring her dreams to fruition. 

At Joadre, we bridge these discrepancies with our TRIBE platform, where we expose you to ideas and practical training to grow your idea. Let us know what you think. Are there other essential needs we have omitted from this top 6 list? Here are the 7 Most Lucrative Businesses In 2023 for Nigeria – Joadre

Connect with us, and get our app.

We hope you got value out of this blog article. It is time to own your life. We created our Tribe platform to empower African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the TRIBE app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Education In Africa Must Be Africanised | With Seun Kuti

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Education In Africa Must Be Africanised | With Seun Kuti

Interview conducted: 2021

Meet Seun Kuti: 

Seun Kuti is a Nigerian musician, singer and the youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. He has spent most of his life preserving and extending his father’s political and musical legacy as the leader of his father’s former band Egypt 80. Seun Kuti has been a strong voice for the liberation of the Nigerian people. Since the EndSars protest in 2020, he has consistently educated the public using weekly Instagram videos and talks. 

During our shoot of the film Voices Uprising, Seun Kuti expressed two significant issues that will open your mind to debate Democracy and the African educational system from a new perspective. 

Taking Action Beyond Democracy 

MOP stands for the Movement Of the People. It is a political party that my father, Late Fela Anikulakpo Kuti, started in the 70ties. I am a part of MOP, trying to build it with like-minded colleagues nationwide. People need a platform to express their political aspirations and ambitions. Many people worldwide keep talking about dictatorship, fascism, oligarchy and all that. They say that they want to prevent all these injustices with Democracy. But the more I study Democracy, the more I see it is an oligarchy at best and fascism at worst. 

A few nations have this oligarchy democracy, but most of us live under fascist Democracy. The world fought against fascism in WWII because those running the world then were all fascists. They tell us it is Democracy, but what I see is that one class of people, ususally the elite, divide themselves into two groups. But these two groups continue to rule forever and ever, and they call it Democracy. This is the era where the people need their own platforms, where the people understand that those are elitist platforms; these so-called two parties systems that we have in majority countries labelled Liberal or conservative always serve the same class interest. 

They do not have the interest of the people at heart. So we, the people, must attack that class with our own party to wrestle power away from the elite. Wresting power away from them helps them. Because it is obvious that due to their own greed and lack of control, their degeneracy, and their inability to be human again, they cannot find their own humanity anymore due to the fact that they have dehumanised the rest of us for so long. 

Most importantly, we are saving the earth from them. Because it is evident that not only can humanity not sustain what is going on right now, but we are completely broken, and nature itself cannot sustain what is going on right now. 

A hundred years ago, they called African people savages for respecting nature, and today everybody is talking about being environmentally friendly, going green while you destroyed, abused and brutalised the original green people. This is the world we live in. From our rivers being completely destroyed to seas filled with trash, marine life having straws and plastic in their lungs, and all these things. Is this what si supposed to make humanity progress? These signs of progress that we find now are a symptom of nature’s destruction. But not only MOP takes action. There are also so many other parties and organisations in Nigeria and Africa taking action. 

We Must Find Our Culture And Africanise Our Education!

Culture is the thing that we still have to find as African people right now. But we must remember that whatever culture we want to find right now must be grounded in our culture. So that we have something we are building up from. Look at the West; as it is today, Europe is standing on the shoulders of the Roman Empire, which stands on the shoulder of the Greek Empire. And that is how we must begin to see ourselves. But we have been denied that opportunity by the dissolution of our original nations, but our culture and traditions still exist. This must be how we stand on those nations to build a new nation. Understanding our stories, our culture. These are things to help us move forwards.

Africans have been sold a lie. It is a lie that we have bought into, and the lie is universality. We believe genuinely in the universality and brotherhood of man, which is the tenets of Islam, Christianity and also modern education. To act and pretend to the Africans and motherland people that we are part of the global family, which is not – politically and economically. Socially, yes, we can accept to be part of the world brotherhood. But economically and politically, it is obvious that there is no world brotherhood. 

Many people claim this world’s brotherhood only because it does not affect them negatively that other people paid the price for the so-called globalisation it is called today. The universality of education is where we now have a school where African children are told that Mongo Park discovered the River Niger just because Europeans are told the same thing. Yes, Mongo Park discovered the river niger for the Europeans, but not for the Africans. That kind of education is completely false for an African child. Because of universalism and globalisation, this kind of education has been imposed on African minds since we were young. We have to understand that African education must be Africanised. 

Walter Ronney made a point that 100 years ago, an African child could name a plant in their surroundings and its use of it. But today, we are educated but completely alien about our space. We are often educated about the outside. This education diminishes African psychics that there is nothing worth saving and that universalism is the saving grace which is a lie.  

That was a full dose of awareness shared by Seun during our interview with him. We want to raise awareness and mobilise people to create a better world. Share this article with your network. 

Watch Seun Kuti in the documentary film Voices Uprising

Synopsis: A protest against police brutality ignites a debate around complex legacies that plague Nigeria and how to overcome them.

Running time: 54 minutes, 38″ // Languages spoken: English, Yoruba, Pidgin English, German // Subtitle: English.

Find Where To Watch The Film > https://voicesuprising.com

Other articles from Film protagonists: 

Remember to Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our Newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

The Adire Advocacy | 8 Actions To Revive The Textile Industry 

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The Adire Advocacy | 8 Actions To Revive The Textile Industry 

We are excited to share this article with you because we love Adire. If you are new to Adire, then stay with us. Adire is fabrics, culture, history, spirituality, innovation and tradition.

What is Adire?

Adire is a traditional Nigerian textile dyeing technique that involves resisting dye, where patterns are created by using various methods to assist dye penetration into the fabrics. “Adi” means to tie, and “Re” means to dye. This technique is indigenous to the Yoruba people in the southwestern region of Nigeria and has a rich cultural significance. Adire is popular amongst the people of Egba land in Abeokuta, Ogun state, and is most reflective of its cultural origin.  

A linguistic handcraft

Adire continues to be an essential part of promoting culture and traditional dressing, from generation to generation, even in foreign countries across the continent and beyond. Indigenous and authentic Adire is made using natural dyes derived from plants and minerals coupled with the artisanal production process. The appeal of Adire lies not only in its aesthetic beauty but also in the narrative each design carries. 

This fabric plays a vital role in preserving the cultural identity of the indigenous people through the designs crafted on each peace which serves as a form of linguistics to tell stories and pass on messages. However, this indigenous craft has recently declined due to several factors: the consistent import of textiles to Nigeria and the piracy of design for mass production in China. More about how second-hand clothes imports impacts the industry here in this blog article imports > 

Global recognition of Adire fabrics. 

Adire has captured the attention of fashion designers, interior decorators, and art enthusiasts worldwide. The fabric stands at the forefront of fashion events like the African Fashion Week organized by one of Nigeria’s prominent Adire advocates, Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi in Lagos, London, and Brazil. Even Nigeria’s Pan African bank, Ecobank, hosts an annual Adire Experience in Lagos, and the Ogun state government dedicates a whole week to an Adire market week. World-acclaimed designers like Dior and Louis Vuitton have used Adire. So this fabric is renowned for its authentic Afrocentric touch, but still, the industry suffers several setbacks. 

Status quo of the Nigerian textile industry.

The Nigerian textile industry has a rich history that dates back to before the pre-colonial era within the region now known as Nigeria today. Nevertheless, the industry today is at one of its lowest points. Failed infrastructure, consistent imports of cheap textiles competing with local production, and lack of capital, technology, and the needed skills plague the industry. Reviving and upgrading Adire craft in Nigeria can bring several benefits to the textile industry and is one strategy to rebrand Nigeria’s textile heritage. 

Here are eight actions to take to revive the textile industry using Adire as a forerunner;

  1. Raise awareness about the value of Adire and textile production, in general, using exhibitions, workshops and educational programs. 
  2. Provide skill development programs for artisans to increase capacity and build expertise. 
  3. Invest in textile infrastructure, such as dyeing facilities and production units.
  4. Collaborate with designers, fashion houses and retailers to incorporate Adire fabrics.
  5. Mandate government-funded agencies to employ Adire in their outfits such as office wear, school uniform, etc. 
  6. Encourage policies, financial incentives, and trade protection methods to support the growth of the domestic textile industry against cheap imports.
  7. Invest in research to improve dyeing techniques, sustainability and fabric structure. 
  8. Develop procedures to protect artisans’ traditional knowledge and intellectual property rights.

These are just a few actions that can help change the game for Nigerian textile and artisans. Entrepreneurs looking to venture into the fashion industry will feel more confident as they can access a reliable supply of world-standard fabrics. Looking to start-up in the textile industry? Check out this blog on How to Build Equity In Nigeria’s Textile Sector >

Connect with us and get our app. 

We created our tribe app to help you find low-capital and lucrative ideas to launch a business. That is not all. We release training to help you start and grow your business. 

Are you a student looking to start a side business? Get the Joadre Tribe app (Android version) here for IOS users a web page is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. You can sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. 

Thank you for reading to the end 

Cheers

Your Consciousness Creates Your Reality | With Seun Kuti

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Your Consciousness Creates Your Reality | With Seun Kuti

Interview conducted: 2021

For the making of the film Voices Uprising, We visited Artist, Musician and social activist Seun Kuti. 

About Seun Kuti: 

Seun Kuti is a Nigerian musician, singer and the youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. He has spent most of his life preserving and extending his father’s political and musical legacy as the leader of his father’s former band Egypt 80. Seun Kuti has been a strong voice for the liberation of the Nigerian people. Since the EndSars protest in 2020, he has consistently educated the public using weekly Instagram videos and talks. 

Seun met with the Joadre team at his rehearsal hall in the Kalakuta house, where you can also find the Fela museum, a destination worth visiting. When we asked Seun if he identifies with the label of being an activist, his response, “I am what I am, not what I do“, immediately revealed the depth of his conscious thoughts around the issues he addresses. He further explained that we should perceive ourselves first as human beings, not as what we do or as a profession. For Seun, the consciousness of everyone plays a vital role in shaping how the communities become.

Humanity is in some state of slumber. 

“It is very straightforward. Humanity is definitely in some state of slumber of some sort. And for me, consciousness is something that has to do with your reality. Your consciousness is completely linked to your reality. You cannot separate your consciousness from your reality”. He further depicted his suggestion using the analogy of a spaceship appearing, and some people might never see it because their consciousness cannot perceive or comprehend it. 

According to Seun, our reality and consciousness are significantly linked, so if we put it into a national discussion, one can conclude that a nation cannot be greater than the consciousness of its people. Making Nigeria’s state a reflection of the level of consciousness of the Nigerian people. “The more Nigerians can raise their consciousness about themselves, their environment, their politics, whatever it is, the more they can develop Nigeria”. 

Seun has been politically active using MOP (Movement Of The People), a political party founded by his Late Father to engage Nigerians. “We always say we are the change we want to see. So it was my own way of saying, if you want change, here is a platform to come together, share ideas and debate”. Seun uses his music as a musician to serve and debate issues. He does not mind antagonising the establishment with his artistry. In 2018, Black Times, by Seun Kuti, was nominated for the Grammys in the World Music Category.  

It was a long conversation with Seun and so much food for thought. We have broken them down into several articles making the Seun Voices Uprising series. We want to raise awareness and mobilise people to create a better world. Share this article with your network. Subscribe to our Newsletter here to know when we release the next article under this series with Seun Kuti. Read more on our Voices Uprising series with Seun Kuti. 

Watch Seun Kuti in the documentary film Voices Uprising

Synopsis: A protest against police brutality ignites a debate around complex legacies that plague Nigeria and how to overcome them.

Film trailer

Running time: 54 minutes, 38″ // Languages spoken: English, Yoruba, Pidgin English, German // Subtitle: English.

Find Where To Watch The Film > https://voicesuprising.com

Other articles from Film protagonists: 

Question: What do you think mobilised people to protest and voice out their issues? Share your thoughts. Send us a message via Joadre app contact icon. 

Remember to Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our Newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

5 Key Strategies To Increase Business Growth

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5 Key Strategies To Increase Business Growth

We receive so many questions about what to do to improve business growth. But bear in mind that no two businesses have the same conditions (type of Business, business environment, economy, the psychology of the entrepreneur himself, etc.). As such, giving one fixer for all businesses is almost impossible. But here are a few things we suggest you start right away. 

What does Business growth mean to you?

For many, this is a stage where a business reaches the point of expansion and seeks additional options to generate more profit. You have to define what this means to you. Is it having more clients or expanding your product base? Is it solely generating more cash? Remember, more cash doe snot mean more profits! Before we delve further, take some time to understand these 5 types of business growth.

Types of business growth

Organic Business Growth: This is the most basic type of business growth and a more effective way of growing your Business. 

Strategic Business Growth: Strategic business growth focuses on the long-term growth of a business. Businesses that stay focused to their goals of strategic growth are ones that have reached a peak of the organic business growth stage and are forced to find an additional market.

Partnership/Merger/Acquisition: For some businesses, merging or establishing an alliance with other companies is beneficial. This is also considered the riskiest business growth strategy but with more potential for success. 

Internal business growth: This strategy uses currently available resources and determines how they can be used better rather than looking outward to production. 

Rapid Business Growth: Rapid business growth is usually adopted when growth is needed quickly. During this period, the production levels, customers or even staff increase rapidly, leading to certain risks and challenges. 

Our Five Key Strategies To Grow Your Business

  1. Know who your ideal customer is.
  2. Identify what sets you apart from your competition.
  3. Understand your key performance indicators.
  4. Have a firm grasp of your business financials.
  5. Invest in the right talent.

Know who your ideal customer is.

Before you start your Business, you need to divide a target market into subsets of consumers, businesses, or countries that have or are perceived to have everyday needs, interests, and priorities. You can then design and implement strategies that target each of these elements. This gives the sales team added clarity and focus. You have to understand their needs and wants and offer a solution that is a perfect fit. Doing this will help you quickly establish your Business as a viable solution. 

Identify what sets you apart from your competition.

It’s important to understand your competition inside and out, figure out what specifically sets you apart or what you can do to stand out, find your and then use that as an advantage for growth opportunities.

Understand your key performance indicators.

To grow, you need to know what is working and what isn’t. Every Business should have key performance indicators, and if you don’t track, measure and optimize these numbers, you have no idea what to scale in order to achieve that desirable growth.

Have a firm grasp of your business financials.

If you don’t know your numbers, your business growth could be cut short unexpectedly. You have to be able to account for every penny that comes in and goes out. Things like bootstrapping as much as possible and being very frugal regarding expenses will help you grow faster. 

Invest in the right talent.

A company is only as good as the team behind it. Your team is directly responsible for your success, and the sooner entrepreneurs understand this, the sooner they prioritize creating the best possible organizational team. In the early stages of a new business, offering huge salaries, bonuses, and perks may be difficult, but that doesn’t mean you can’t attract the best talent. Creating a company culture with a clear vision and mission will help you attract team members who want to join the journey.

Connect with us, and get more out of our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Want To Develop Your Business Ideas? Use The Joadre 6 key approach.

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Want To Develop Your Business Ideas? Use The Joadre 6 key approach.

Do you have so many potential business or income-generating ideas but do not know how to start or even which to run with? We get you! Many creative minds fall into this trap and then find themselves postponing. At Joadre, we designed a 6-Key method that can help you through. The free learning program comes in audio, video (All videos are available in the Joadre Tribe app) or just as text to read around. You can download the Workbook to craft your business ideas here. 

Transform Business Ideas with The 6-Key Program.

We aim to help African entrepreneurs transform their business ideas into profitable ventures. The world is in its digital age, and we must learn new skills. However, there are still some fundamental approaches to business that we must master. Because this approach to planning out a business strategy will remain important no matter where and how you want to grow your business.

You will still need to know what exactly your products or services are. What exactly is your business idea? Is it lucrative? Many questions about which industry, target audience, and how you would roll out your products still need to be answered. With the 6-Key foundation program, you will go through the steps to answer these questions.

What does the 6-Key program cover?

This program would cover 6 major milestones through small step-by-step actions. Every video is a small step that will take you to the next level in developing your idea

  1. Finding the right idea for you.
  2. Creating a business strategy.
  3. How to market your business ideas best.
  4. How to finance your idea.
  5. Leveraging your resources.
  6. It is time to launch your idea.

What is the result of this program? You have a business idea to start with!

Analyse your business ideas. You can do this using what is called the SWOT analysis. Here are a few short videos to help you understand and apply SWOT analysis. More tutorials are in our Tribe app.

Understand SWOT Analysis
Identify Your Strengths
When to carry out SWOT analysis
Identify Opportunities and Threats

Please visit our TOOLS platform to access more free templates to design your ideas.

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

African Kingdoms In Pre-Colonial Nigeria; Pt 1

Joadre Editorial
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African Kingdoms In Pre-Colonial Nigeria; Pt 1

This article will explore 3 African kingdoms – Hausa, Kano and Katsina. that existed before the colonial invasion.

  • Hausa: Daura –1806

Daura is the eponymous and oldest of the pre-colonial Hausa kingdom, named after Queen Daura. According to history, Daura means ‘blacksmith’ in the Tuareg language. Legend has it that Daura married a Baghdad prince named Bayajida. In the tale, Baghdad displayed uncommon bravery by killing Sarki, a fetish snake known to have been causing misfortune for the people. 

The children Daura bore to this brave man founded the seven pre-colonial Hausa kingdoms, otherwise known as Hausa Bakwai (The Seven Hausa State). In modern Nigeria, Daura is located in Katsina state. Interestingly, it has produced a president and head of state, General & President Muhammadu Buhari. Major local trade in Daura includes but is not limited to sorghum, millet, onions, peanuts, cotton, hides and skins. 

  • Kano: 998–1807

Kano was the largest pre-colonial Hausa kingdom in Africa before the creation of the state itself. Historical data shows that Kano started from an ancient settlement around Dala Hill. Legend has it that Bayajida’s grandson, Bagauda, founded the kingdom. He reigned as the king of the empire between 999AD and 1063AD. He was succeeded by Muhammad Rumfa. The kingdom was independent not until it was taken over in 1805 during the Fulani jihad war, led by Usman Dan Fodio, a Fulani Islamic Leader. This conquest turned Kano instead to a province of a newly formed Sokoto Caliphate. 

In modern Nigeria, Kano has won the seat of the second largest industrial centre in Nigeria and, in fact, the largest in Northern Nigeria. Industries producing textiles, footwear, cosmetics, ceramics, furniture, enamelware, tanning, pharmaceuticals, animal feeds, dairy, food and beverages are found in modern Kano. If you find yourself in modern Kano, take the chance to visit Dala Hills, the Emirs Palace, the Kano city wall, Kano Museum, Kurmi Market, and Kofar Matar Dying Pits. Also, you should have a lifetime experience of the Kano Durbar festival. A festival renowned as the largest procession of colourful horses, portraying the Emir’s Regalia.

  • Katsina: c. 1400–1805

Ancient Katsina kingdom was one of the habitats of the negroid stock of the Berber-Amharic-Afro-asiatic group called Hausawa, shortened to Hausa. Historical accounts hailed the kingdom of Katsina for its reach and influence that transcends to Birnin Gwari, Karaushi, Kirrisen, Madauci, Kuyambana and the marshlands of Sangiyakun in present-day Kaduna, Kebbi and Niger States. It extended to ‘Yandoto, Tsafe, Kwatarkwashi, Wasagu, Gusau, Tumfafi and Mada in present Zamfara State. 

According to available historical accounts, the Katsina kingdom was founded by Muhammadu Korau. Korau, who would later become the first Islamic king to reign in the kingdom. However, one legend claims that Katsina was founded by Durbawa, a man archaeologists believed to have lived at Durbi-Ta-Kushiyi. Earthen mounds found by archaeologists are believed to be graves of ancient graves of past kings of the Katsina kingdom. 

Meanwhile, they were acclaimed to be idol worshippers whose belief system was founded on the Sun god. The chief priest is known as Durbi. The Durbawa dynasty was later dethroned by a man known as Kumayo, grandson of Bayajidda. The pre-colonial Katsina kingdom experienced many evolutions that produced notable trade routes and mainly paved the way for the famous trans-Saharan trade. Modern Katsina is located in Northern Nigeria, sharing borders with Zamfara, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano and the international border with Niger Republic.

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Top 10 Low-Capital Business Ideas

Joadre Editorial
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Top 10 Low-Capital Business Ideas

Here are 10 low-capital ideas we know would work for you in Africa. So why wait? Great business ideas are born when you become eager to discover them.

  1. Palm Oil Retail: This concerns purchasing and selling palm oil for human consumption. You can also market palm oil to companies that make pet food for dogs and other domestic animals.
  2. Egg Supply & Distribution: This entails sourcing and delivering eggs to consumers, whether individuals or businesses such as restaurants. Build a network of egg suppliers/producers and construct the delivery infrastructure to keep the business running. Different birds lay eggs, but you might be interested in chicken eggs.
  3. Graphic Design: Graphic design is a vocation in which people produce visual communication material to convey specific messages with specified goals and objectives to certain social groups. You’ll need a decent laptop and a desire to study.
  4. UX Designer: User experience design is how design teams create products that provide customers with meaningful and relevant experiences (UX). Right now, this expertise is in great demand! Branding, design, usability, and function are all included, as well as the design of the entire product acquisition and integration process.
  5. Phone Accessories: I was astounded when I learned how much you could earn from selling a single iPhone charge. You’ve probably never thought about it, but if you have, that’s great. So what are you still waiting for? Selling phone accessories is a sustainable business with little start-up costs and constant demand for phone accessories products. Take a crash course from those already in the business and let them lead you to wholesalers.
  6. Food Stuff Supply & Delivery: Design a regular food supply strategy for busy clients or clients who cannot obtain these goods. You can specialise in rare foods that require unique procedures, either because of logistics or price vs minimum order of quantity.
  7. Dance/Workout Training: Any physiological exercise that improves physical fitness, general health and wellness is called a workout. Your focus: producing dance fitness programs and instructions. It might be a session for private people, fitness studios, or even corporate offices for team bonding.
  8. Laundry Business: Dry cleaning is a cleaning process for clothing and textiles using a solvent other than water. Laundry refers to the washing of clothing and other materials. Start small, inform friends about your business, and seek referrals. Add logistics service, pickup and dropoff.
  9. Retail Popcorn: Popcorn is made by placing corn in a heated machine that causes it to pop. Everything you need to launch this business is easily accessible and in plentiful supply in Nigeria. Corn is abundant, and the popcorn machine costs less than N80,000. You can start by watching YouTube tutorials on making well-buttered popcorn. Look for opportunities to sell at events, amusement parks, and other strategic locations.
  10. Decluttering Sales Service: Decluttering business is becoming very lucrative in Nigeria. The good news is that all you need is a social media page. Often, a seller will contact you, and you will negotiate a service fee. That’s all there is to it! Attract visitors to your page by being reputable. Download the JoadreTribe App to find more low-capital business ideas.

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Create A Business Invoice That Reflects Your Professionalism

Joadre Editorial
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Create A Business Invoice That Reflects Your Professionalism

Getting a good business Invoice could be a challenge if you do business in Nigeria. You might get a receipt or a payment voucher, but a business invoice that meets global standards is critical to doing business or partnering with international clients. You must understand that when we keep whining about the government’s lack of accountability, it starts with you as an entrepreneur. And here is why you need a good invoice. 

Why A Business Invoice is needed

All global organizations, for-profit or non-profit, must adhere to strict bookkeeping. Especially in Western Europe, you must show identification for services provided and the payment received. Many grant offices would go beyond to look at the bank transfer and see if it confirms the invoice you issued or received. These are a few reasons why you should consider this article. If you want to grow, you might be looking at partnering with international companies. These companies expect you to already know this basic. So the first step is to keep all the invoices you receive and copies of the ones you issue. If you do not receive any, ask for an invoice.

What Is A Business Invoice?

An invoice is an itemized list that records the products or services you provide to your client. It reflects the total amount due, date, terms if needed, and a method for them to pay you for those items or services, which in many cases as a digital transfer. Invoices can be sent as electronic or paper invoices, but we recommend you stick with electronic invoices. Why? Because you can always go back and track it. The customer cannot tell you they did not receive it. There is digital evidence you sent it.  

What is the difference between a basic receipt and an invoice? 

Receipts often just show you the amount and date something was paid for. But an invoice would show you what was paid for and by/to whom. Some invoices also carry terms and show tax allocation. Another difference is that an invoice is issued to get payment from the customer, while a receipt is issued after receiving the payment from the customer. This is so crucial because people confuse this. People want to send you an invoice afterwards. No! You send your invoice before payment! 

Quote, Offer And Proposal Vs. Invoice

Note that at Joadre, we would not make any payments before an invoice is sent. And also, note that an offer, a quote or a proposal is not an invoice. If you send a quote or offer, it is to propose. After the client accepts and you agree on payment terms, then you send an invoice. Beneath, let’s explore the key elements that should be in your invoice. Afterwards, you will find a list of invoice generators to help you create a perfect invoice. 

These 16 Elements Are Key And Must Be On Your Invoice. 

  1. The “To” address
  2. The “From” address
  3. Email address
  4. Telephone number
  5. Invoice Date
  6. Due Date
  7. Payment details: To include the method of payment and the details like bank details or PayPal email. 
  8. Registration Number
  9. Tax Identification Number
  10. Invoice Number
  11. *Account Number
  12. Services: Includes description of what the services or products are. 
  13. *Quantity: Needed if you offer products. 
  14. Service Location 
  15. Delivery duration
  16. Amount 

Short Description Of The 16 Key Elements Of a Business Invoice

The “To” address: Who are you sending the invoice to. Their full address must include the company/organization name, street, number, postcode, city, state and country. Also, indicate the registration number or tax ID of the company. 

The “From” address: Your full address must include the company/organization name, street, number, postcode, city, state and country. 

Email address: Make sure to use the email where you are best reachable. Often, large companies forward these invoices to their bookkeeping, and they may want to reach out to clarify one or two things. 

Telephone number: Same as with email. Remember to add your country code if you deal with international clients. 

Invoice Date: The date the invoice is issued. 

Due Date: The deadline to pay the invoice. This must definitely be after the invoice date.

Payment details: To include the method of payment and the details like bank details or PayPal email. 

*Registration Number: If you have a company, include the registration number. For freelancers without a registration number, this does not apply.

Tax Identification Number: If you add taxes to your invoice, you must indicate your tax number. This applies even to freelancers because you have diverse tax IDs, either a VAT ID or an income tax ID.

Invoice Number: Invoices are used for bookkeeping, so yours must be numbered. You decide the numbering system, e.g. you can start from 001 and end the year with a number based on how many invoices you sent out. Your number can be a combination of a start number + month + year. You decide. But when you start a numbering system, you must adhere to it. 

*Account Number: Sometimes, clients might have a unique account number you assign. If you do this, then indicate it. 

Services: Includes description of what the services or products are. 

**Quantity: Needed if you offer products. 

**Service Location: You should indicate where the services would be offered. This might be irrelevant to those selling tangible goods and products. 

**Delivery duration:  If you offer a service, you must indicate when the service begins and ends. This might be irrelevant to those selling tangible goods and products. 

Amount:  Write the total amount in numbers and in words. Indicate Installment, if any. If items are in quantity, you might have a subtotal and indicate the overall total. 

*Those asterisks are optional. 

**Depends on if you offer services or tangible goods. 

This list is not exhaustive, but with this, you are covered!

Here are a few invoice generators you can check out: 

  1. From Invoice Home, you can generate free templates – Invoice home.
  2. Wix provides you will access to generate invoices. 
  3. Invoice Simple provides you with the option to download and invoice. 

But you can create yours with a google excel sheet and keep using it. Tip: Remember, if you are spending on behalf of a contractor, request and keep all invoices. Also, find out if the invoice should be issued in your name or the contractor’s name.

That was a quick tutorial on creating a business invoice that you can use for international collaborations. We suggest you design a template and keep using it. You can insert your logo, website and any valuable details on the template. 

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

The “Quality-Only” train? Is that Possible In Nigeria?

Samuel Olawoyin
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The “Quality-Only” train? Is that Possible In Nigeria?

Since the abolition of the enSlavement trade, Africa is still perceived to be a “cheap market” for foreign-made goods. West Africa was crucial to Europe, especially England and France, as it was to the other European countries that profited from the development of the era. Trade to and within Africa provided ample raw resources, from human resources during the enslavement era to natural resources, as it still does today.

What if we told you that our countrymen used to favour “Made in Nigeria” products above imported goods? We preferred it so much that even made in Africa, the cloth was a currency of exchange, aka “cloth money”. How did we create a country where anything not imported is considered inferior?

When Iron, Glass and Crafts made in Nigeria were unique.

Nigerians have been mining iron, tin, gold, salt, and other minerals in many locales, including Ijebu-Ode, Ilorin, Bida, and Awka, since earlier centuries. Iron was also considered a currency of exchange. Local smiths fashioned spears and arrows for hunting and inter-tribal warfare, as well as items for agricultural and domestic usage. Mineral smelting on the spot also aided the development of specialised handicrafts. In fact, since there was a high demand for Iron in Africa, European traders were allowed to import iron, but the trade power remained within the African kings. Around the 17th century, they dictated the precision, such as the weight, length, and exact measurements of every iron bar, to be accepted as an import into Africa.

The Terracotta figurines unearthed in the tin fields surrounding Nok, brass figures and ornaments from Bida, and bronze heads from Ife and Benin demonstrated that Nigeria had a long-standing sculpting industry. Not to mention the Bida’s long-established glass-making industry. Bida was known for its embossed brass and copper artistry, and their goblet designs, which skillfully combined brass and copper, were exceptionally attractive. Bida also had a thriving bead production industry, which polished the raw or unfinished beads imported from North Africa.

Creating a perception of superiority through Optical Illusion.


Nigerian people did not feel compelled to purchase European goods since they thought they were inferior to theirs, particularly cotton items. Just so you know, indigenous people could spin their thread, weave their clothing, and even make their tools when necessary. Early Europeans had to introduce luxury items in their imports to earn people’s admiration for foreign-made products. The commodities chosen to pique local interest were looking glasses, toys, beads, alcoholic drinks, cotton products, patterned textiles like Jacquard from India, weapons, gunpowder, and salt. That strategy marks the beginning of the end of a productive nation.

Industrialisation, new forms of exchange currency leading to capital accumulation.


Furthermore, while many African-made products were superior and employed as forms of exchange within Africa, their European counterparts began rigorous industrialisation. They embraced new forms of currency that would not conform to natural devaluation. And this allowed for a stark accumulation of this as capital. With this capital pushed into the diverse African regions as a form of exchange, more and more African raw materials lost their value against the new currency. The accumulation by the European side provided the needed capital investments for Europe to speedily develop its industries upon the back of the devalued raw materials, which they acquired at very Medicare fees. Many African regions were captured into colonies and forced to become suppliers of cheap raw materials to develop the rigorous industrialisation of the rest of the world. Today’s Nigerian nation is not exempted from this destiny. There was hence no space for their industrialisation. More on this subject can be found on page 88.

The demise of a productive nation!

Northern Nigeria had a long-standing leather industry that relied on the hides of domesticated animals, particularly the Sokoto Red, which produced elegant, high-quality skins. Regardless, it was incorrectly referred to as Morocco leather since it was mostly sent and sold at Morocco’s port. Cotton has also been grown and produced into textiles in Nigeria for millennia. Most people’s clothing was spun, hand-woven in basic cloth, and dyed with natural plant colours.

Back in the 16th century, a European trader described in his travel diary the cloth worn in West Africa as superior to a black and white “Cloth”.

The soap industry existed in several southern locales. Brewing was also booming in several parts of what is now Nigeria. Palmwine, indigenous grain, millet beer, and powerful kola nut wine were all brewed. Their expertise dictated the quality of the artisan’s products. People quickly developed a concept of specialisation: each town specialised in supplying certain local foodstuffs and industrial items. They knew which village market to approach for their rare but distinctive purchases. One might suggest that the idea was not to knock out the competitor but to compensate for one’s own missing goods.

High export revenues and high dependency on the system.

As previously said, this is only the beginning. At the time, certain Nigerian products were already being exported. Many farmers were motivated to adulterate their crops to increase their volume and claim more money since these limited export commodities were purchased by weight. The impact of export – farmers got higher rates for the export of certain crops compared to local sales revenues – led many farmers to move gradually from the traditional soil culture where multiple crops are planted and rotated towards a more monoculture model to increase production of just that one single cop that generated more export revenue. The buyers also fostered this system. The downside, however, is that the soil begins to diminish, and these farmers would become dependent on using only specific seeds and fertilisers they, in turn, have to import.

Adulteration for profits and a bad reputation.

So many also employed terrible methods to increase the weight of their export. Rubber-wrapped stones, for example, were mixed with palm goods to increase their weight. The Lagos administration rapidly noticed that Nigerian export goods were gaining a bad reputation on the international market, and in 1896 passed, the Native Trade Law and the Adulteration of Produce Ordinance in March 1897. These laws were enacted in order to eliminate agricultural commodities export fraud. There was. However, no provision for any type of inspection system to check that legislation was being followed. As a result, agricultural producers continued to tamper with their products, albeit on a lesser scale than before.

Could the sole focus on exporting raw materials limit extensive research and development on possibilities to process the same raw materials internally and hamper industrial development?

This evil act and government complacency persist in Nigeria to this day. Millions of laws go unenforced. Despite the existence of several regulatory bodies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria National Accreditation Services (NiNAS), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and others, Nigeria remains a dumping ground for inferior products. There is no internal system in Nigeria to monitor producers properly. The sooner we wake up and realise that we can’t keep playing the victim card, the less we’ll be seen as a consumer market by the rest of the world.

We are looking forward to seeing our product compete on a worldwide scale. When consumers would say, “If it is not manufactured in Nigeria, I am not buying it”. The ideal will not be fulfilled alone via government efforts; everyone must join the quality-only train.

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Why Africa’s Industry Is Just Emerging | Interview With Author Olaf Bernau

Joadre Editorial
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Why Africa’s Industry Is Just Emerging | Interview With Author Olaf Bernau

About Olaf Bernau:

Olaf Bernau is an activist and sociologist and has since served in different roles as co-founder of a city commune in Bremen, in the anti-racist network “NoLager”, and cofounded the transnational network Afrique-Europe-Interact in 2010. He spends about 4 to 8 weeks yearly in West Africa, especially in Mali and regularly publishes in magazines. He is the author of the 2022 released book titled “The Causes of Flight in West Africa and What Europe should do”.

Joadre: You recently released a book called Brennpunkt Westafrika: Die Fluchtursachen und was Europa tun sollte (Focus West Africa: The causes of flight and what Europe should do). Unfortunately, the book is only available for now in German, but let’s talk about the issues you debate. Why did you work on this book?

Olaf: Since the 80ties, I have worked with refugees and asylum seekers in Germany. Around the end of the 90ties, I worked with people in Nigeria, Cameroon and Togo. Then I worked with an organization called Voice Refugee Forum in East Germany. In 2008 we met people deported from the West in Mali who had self-organized themselves. Then we founded Afrique-Europe Interact and worked to raise awareness about the issues around migration and the living circumstances for migrants and refugees. This book stems from the experience I have gathered over the years.

Olaf Berna’s Book about development in Africa:

Titel: Brennpunkt Westafrika: Die Fluchtursachen und was Europa tun sollte

Language: German

Pages: 317

Release date: March 2022

ISBN-10: 3406782469

Link to Author: Website

Link to book: Amazon 

Joadre: What is the aim of wring your book?

Olaf: In Europe, people pretend that they do not have anything to do with these issues; for example, colonialization is long ago, and issues relating to this should have already been resolved. I aimed to start a dialogue between how these issues are perceived in Europe and how it is perceived from the African perspective. And, of course, my perspective is greatly influenced by my consistent work in Africa. That is also why I explicitly allow African experts and voices to be prominent in the book. I want to confront the European readers with the outrage at how Africa is being discussed. I am not only interested in transporting Information I also want to deconstruct stereotypical ideas. 

Joadre: So, let us delve into the topics you discuss in your book. First, you focus very much on why industrialization in Africa is where it is now. Can you share some of your findings?

Olaf: In most African countries, in the 1930s and 1970s, industrialization picked up. But look at the numbers now. Africa makes up about 17% of the world’s population but contributes only 2% of the industrialization. Industrialization is a prerequisite for economic development. If you always have to import everything, you pay far too much money, and you are always dependent on others to seal the conditions. In this respect, industrialization is essential. You have to produce what you need every day yourself. You don’t have to produce everything yourself. Of course, there is also a sense of division of labour in that certain countries concentrate on certain aspects. But the current situation focuses almost exclusively on raw materials export from Africa and industrially manufactured products import. This is a structural reason why many African countries economically look as bad as it looks today.

Joadre: In your book, you talk about the self-alienation of some Africans who first had contact with Europeans and how it plays out through generations. Tell us more.

Olaf: I discussed this with my colleagues in Africa, and many, especially a friend who is a contemporary author, said that the people who initially came into contact with colonial power always felt superior to other Africans. Because they thought that they already had more experience and were more knowledgeable since their contact was from the beginning. They feel more enlightened and educated, whatever. I found that interesting but also harmful. For example, people in today’s Senegal, who were already in contact with the French in the 17th century, have always felt that they were better, and it has carried on through the generations. Then another African writer wrote that after the First and second world wars, the soldiers who were forcibly recruited to fight for France and for England risked their lives, and many died. But those who returned felt better than the others because they were once in Europe. This is a process of self-alienation, which was deliberately strengthened, provoked, and maintained by the Europeans, as I described in my book about the French, who made a system of it. Because this inheritance is almost worse than the economic inheritance. Economics can be repaired, but identity and self-esteem issues are complicated.

Joadre: You discussed the positive impact of Thomas Sankara’s politics. Can you expand on that?

Olaf:  With Thomas Sankara, it seemed that change was possible. He said, wait a minute, we have to think about ourselves. Thomas Sankara did it in a short time; for example, back then, in Burkina Faso (unnamed from Upper Volta), they achieved independence in the food supply in a short time. Thomas Sankara said it works. It goes in a relatively short time. Because he just tried to empower people. He tried to get the people to believe they could do it themselves. They don’t need Europe, the West, or any people. He said, If we reflect on our strength, cohesion, and old values, then it is possible. That’s why, from my point of view, it was a great catastrophe for West Africa that Thomas Sankara was murdered. And it’s no coincidence that he was murdered. He’s not the only “good guy” who’s been murdered. 

Author, Olaf Bernau | Copyright Joadre 2022

Joadre: Was his approach made through what you call the Import-substituting development?

Olaf: Yes. With import-substituting development, it meant precisely that imports be replaced by locally manufacturing these products within the country. And that worked well in many West African countries, at least for daily needs – food, mopeds, medicines, radios, simple handicrafts, etc. Even though big or heavy-duty machinery was not manufactured, it was also planned. There were grand plans for developing a steel, chemical, and electrical industry; everything was planned, but they didn’t get that far. But at least on a fundamental level, one has taken one’s own industrialization steps that the colonial powers deliberately prevented.

Joadre: In your book, you talk about the Structural Adjustment program as a major factor that spearheaded underdevelopment. Can you expand on it?

Olaf: Yes, this did not only affect the African countries but also countries in South America, Asia and Eastern Europe. It was previously due to external causes that caused the nations to fall into debt. They all got into debt at the beginning of the 80s. The price of oil rose, and at the same time, the prices, especially agricultural products, fell. Furthermore, the interest on loans grew, the dollar became stronger, and so the repayment of loans in dollars became more difficult. But it also had to do with the elites, of course, one has to mention at this point. The elites in many African countries had embezzled a lot of money, but on the other hand, people were not well prepared. Take Nigerian, for example, where far too few petroleum dollars were invested in too little infrastructure. 

That was really a trap because then Western banks, the western governments said this was now a chance since many African countries were just about to abandon their role – namely to only export raw materials and to import processed industrial products. Many have just started running their own development initiatives. So the West needed a way to ensure that they took their old world role again – delivering raw materials for the needs of the industrializing West. This was done by the so-called Structural Adjustment Programs. 

The good free economics with free prices?

The approach was to look at what are these countries have and are best at? They can export raw materials, which are natural resources, so to speak; regulations consist of the countries paying their debts in the first line through exportation, then cutting down on national spending. And that led to the collapse of education and health care. It was also said, for example, that the countries must open their markets so that free trade, termed “the good trade – good free economics with free prices”, can finally take place. 

Joadre: You used the Nigerian textile industry as an example in your book. 

Olaf: Nigeria had a growing textile industry. At its boom, Nigeria was the third largest textile industry in Africa after Egypt and South Africa. Nigeria still had about 175 textile factories in the 80s. But about 25 years later, there were only a few textile factories, barely a dozen. And that could now be applied to all the products slowly developed in the 1960s and 1970s. All of this has been eliminated from the market by forcing countries to open their markets. 

It was argued that the state is not a good company and that services should be privatized as much as possible, like railway lines, but also large companies. But after the privatization, they were streamlined, and some closed. They have ensured that many state-owned companies have been closed and many people have been laid off. Many were close because the West wanted to import their own goods, which were often cheaper due to the strengthened industrialization. In any case, the Structural Adjustment Program created a wave of deindustrialization. On the one hand, it meant that the debts were still being paid for with raw materials, but on the other hand, it meant that they didn’t develop any further.

Joadre: What can we do to change this

Olaf: I think Europe should think about what its role is. The West must recognize its responsibility for the multiple crises in many African countries. The West does not have the solution as it is on the ground. But after these African countries have found their way, the West must support it if it is required and they should be ready for reparation. 

Joadre: Thank you for your insight and time to talk with us. 

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Kolanut Bite With The Elders

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Kolanut Bite With The Elders

Sometimes in life, we feel as though we are on the cliff’s precipice. We have no idea where to go next or what to do next. We feel like we are stuck in a rut and can’t seem to find our way out. At moments like this, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. What do the elders do at those times? It was mind-blowing to have a pastor, a traditional African priest, and an Islamic cleric all emphasise the need for quiet, contemplative time to meditate during such a trying time.

Infobox: In Africa, the Kolanut is thought to be a disease preventative, but another of its most important use is as a metaphor for friendliness, respect and hospitality.

Meditation was required to boost memory or cognitive abilities.

The idea of meditation was articulated by two traditional African priests who are practitioners of Ifa, a Yoruba indigenous faith. Young Ifa priests are taught to meditate on the 256 Ifa texts. “Odu Ifa” is scriptural material for Yoruba traditional worshipers, just like the Bible, Koran, or Sanskrit (Buddhism). On the other hand, the Yoruba scripture is unique in that it was not written down in a book. Priests must memorise to remember. They said that these future young priests in training needed to spend time meditating to study “Odu Ifa.” The Ifa Worshipers were already aware that a sort of meditation was required to boost their memory or cognitive abilities.

Ewo/Taboo

Further consideration was given to religious dietary practices and recitation procedures to improve the trainees’ cognitive powers. This sacred nutritional practice is not a concoction but rather a mindful diet. According to the Yoruba traditional system, certain foods are banned (ewo) for particular persons. You may never know if you don’t make time to meditate or focus on the conditions surrounding you while you eat specific meals. The failure to observe and recognise the impact of different food on us might lead to a series of disasters that eventually overwhelm us and leave us feeling aimless. Apart from that, it is thought that paying close attention to what enters the body system helps to avoid illnesses. Today, western holistic practitioners refer to this as mindfulness and mindful eating. 

Meditation allows us to reflect, trace life events, take in our difficulties, and deconstruct them.

Our forebears practised dieting even before we gave it a name. There are many more valuable lessons from our forefathers if we are only modest enough to share a kola nut bite with the elders. This is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of knowledge. It’s a shame we don’t make use of this vast, intangible knowledge. While we keep sleeping, this gift of nature will soon be discovered by foreigners, rebranded and resold to us in gorgeous packaging. If that’s the only way to wake us up, so be it.  

7 Most Lucrative Businesses In 2023 for Nigeria 

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7 Most Lucrative Businesses In 2023 for Nigeria 

Nigeria is a promising economy with plenty of resources to help you attain heights of self-dependence, especially for those who want to start businesses in 2023. With a population of over 220 million, Nigeria is a land of opportunities for entrepreneurs. This guarantees that there will be demand for goods and services that people need daily. 

With the current economic situation where unemployment and job loss have become the order of the day, starting up one business or the other is essential as it will be suicidal to attempt to live without any source of income. Below are seven lucrative businesses in 2023 that you can start up today in Nigeria.

Seven lucrative businesses in 2023 

  • Fashion designing, a.k.a Tailoring
  • Flexible food vendor
  • Agriculture business
  • Cosmetics business
  • Dropshipping
  • Graphic design 
  • Hairdressing
  1. FASHION DESIGNING: Also known as tailoring, this involves the designing and production of clothes and other accessories. This is lucrative because everyone wears clothes and would need custom wear for weddings, birthday parties, church, etc. Key to starting this business in 2023 is that you have a sewing machine, an overlock machine and good designing skills. Even if you cannot sew, you can employ tailors. 
  2. FLEXIBLE FOOD VENDORS: People hardly have time to cook in urban cities, and their work breaks are short. This is what flexible means – you can either be a mobile food vendor or cook from a kitchen and deliver or cook bulk meals in people’s houses. Any option you choose or combine has its own demand. To have a sharp edge over alternative services like restaurants, eateries and deliveries, rotate your meal offer and promote healthy nutritional eating. For example, if you cook bulk meals for families, inform them about healthier options by creating and promoting your monthly meal plan. Today, social media offers you easy ways to promote your services. 
  3. AGRICULTURE BUSINESS: This is one of the largest employers of labour! The amazing thing about agriculture is that it is one business that, if handled properly, will expand quickly. Below are some aspects of the agriculture business in 2023 that are very lucrative: Poultry, Fishery, Snail farming, Livestock rearing and feed production, Cassava processing
  4. COSMETICS BUSINESS: This involves producing and selling cosmetic products and makeup. This is a lucrative business because almost every woman uses makeup, and most use cream and soap. Within this business, you can stay unique when you tap into authenticity. What do we mean? Nigeria has a rich vegetation of herbs and plants with medicinal and beauty benefits. It is time to educate yourself and create recipes to advance the client’s well-being. Think branding and launching your own product line. 
  5. DROPSHIPPING BUSINESS: Dropshipping involves you creating demand for products, and when sales come in, the actual producer ships directly to the client. Often the manufacturer does not handle traditional retail because their focus is manufacturing. Drop shipping is a retail business in which you accept customer orders without keeping stock on hand. But when you create a sales platform and embed manufacturers’ products, you connect them to customers. You regulate the pricing and earn on every sale without having to store or pre-invest in purchasing products. You will need good IT skills or hire someone to make your sale website.
  6. GRAPHIC DESIGN: This is one business that is thriving in Nigeria as many people have products they need to be branded; all aspects of the business, from the corporate world to agriculture to the film industry, all use graphic designers. But go beyond being a graphic designer. Connect with printing shops are offer your client cheap printing opportunities with fast delivery. If you intend to expand your business, you can create a graphic design platform where people can request a design and, after completion, send it to printing with a click, and it gets delivered! Look, we just shared this very lucrative idea that works very well in Europe and the US.
  7. HAIR BUSINESS: This includes barbering of hair, of which all men in Nigeria at one point in time must have their hair cut, sale of wigs and weaves, attachments and hair accessories, and also making of hair (plaiting and fixing). This is a lucrative business because it has large target customers, and since hair grows, people need your services often. You can start this business in 2023 from home, rent a shared space, move mobile or combine all three approaches.

Those were our 7 businesses in 2023 to venture into now. To find out more business ideas, you can visit our Joadreapp. We publish new business ideas monthly and host a series of content to help you launch and grow your idea. 

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

An Overview | The Beverage Industry In Nigeria Includes Herbal Drinks

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An Overview | The Beverage Industry In Nigeria Includes Herbal Drinks

In this article, we want to introduce you to the beverage industry in Nigeria. Nigeria has Africa’s largest economy and is the continent’s leading oil producer. On the other hand, the country’s expanding beverage industry is home to one of Africa’s largest economies. Thanks to its huge population, Nigeria is a booming market for soft drinks, juices, and other beverages. The beverage business is also one of the country’s most significant employers, employing thousands of men and women. According to the statistics, the food and beverage industry provides at least 1.5 million employment, accounting for 22.5 per cent of the manufacturing industry’s value and 4.6 per cent of the country’s GDP.

Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and water are manufactured, packaged, and distributed in Nigeria’s beverage business. Nigeria’s soft drinks market is the country’s largest and most popular, with several local and foreign brands. Nigeria’s alcoholic beverage business is dominated by beer, with only a few enterprises manufacturing wine and spirits. 

Nigeria Beverage Industry Outlook

According to Nigeria Beverage Industry Outlook 2022 – 2026, Nigeria’s alcoholic drink exports are set to reach $21 million by 2026, down slightly from $21.5 million in 2021. Supply has increased by an average of 0.8% each year since 2001. Meanwhile, the country’s beverage imports are expected to hit $234 million by 2026, up from $229.5 million in 2021. Read more. Leading beverage companies include Coca-Cola, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nestle, Unilever and Promasidor.

Beverage Industry – Drinking Water Forms A Huge Market 

Beverage usually means any drink other than water, but In Nigeria, drinking water falls under the beverage industry. This is also because essential drinking water is derived solely from packaged water that manufacturers have refined for consumption due to the lack of infrastructural amenities that provide clean drinking tap water in homes. The water business primarily involves manufacturing and distributing drinking water, with some companies offering bottled and tap water. This business sector is a huge market in Nigeria. 

Beverage industry Herbal
Herbal drink

Herbal Drinks Impact The Beverage Industry

Allow us to add Herbal medicines to the beverage industry since many do not require prescriptions. Herbal medicine is a new industry in Nigeria, having only existed for a few decades. Pax Herbal Clinic and Research Laboratories, Nigeria’s first alternative medicine research institution, was founded in 1997 by Adodo Anselm, a Nigerian scholar. Kedi, Greenlife Herbal, Global Alliance, as well as several indigenous producers like Yemkem International and Green Extract Nigeria, are presently the country’s biggest makers of herbal medication.

Impact on the Economy – Herbal Medicine In The Bevarge Industry

According to estimates, herbal medicine is expected to be worth $50 billion by 2030. Traditional medicine is relied on by 80% of people, especially in rural regions, for their health care requirements. The Nigerian House of Representatives believes that if given the right incentives, the herbal business may generate $10 billion in revenue yearly. 

The growing desire for natural cures and the ever-increasing population drive the business. Traditional medicine generally provides immediate and long-lasting benefits, but modern treatment is more expensive and may require numerous visits, which fuels the demand for natural therapies.

Ministry in Charge: The Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control oversee the beverage and herbal medicine industries. The World Trade Organization states Nigeria is the continent’s largest food market. 

Infobox:  For those unaware of Nigeria, here is generic info. Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea to the south in the Atlantic Ocean. It covers an area of 923,769 square kilometres (356,669 sq mi), and with a population of over 230 million, it is the most populous country in Africa and the world’s sixth-most populous country. Read more in Wikipedia.

Beverage industry map of Nigeria

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We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Go Back To The Drawing Board | Voices Uprising Talk With Dr Habibat Oladosu-Uthman 

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Go Back To The Drawing Board | Voices Uprising Talk With Dr Habibat Oladosu-Uthman 

We were opportune to travel to several states in Nigeria and meet African experts renowned in their various fields. Nigeria is a multicultural and multi-religious country. Some statistics claim that over 45% of the population are Muslims. It would be unfair to explore the opinions of experts without this very huge group who also battle with the same issues every non-muslins Nigerian faces. Our research took us to meet Dr Habibat Oladosu-Uthman, whose insight riched our learning process and the film Voices Uprising. 

Joadre: Briefly introduce us to the intentions of Islam in Nigeria when it arrived.

Dr Habibat Oladosu-Uthman: The history of Islam in Nigeria is like the history of Nigeria itself. Africans were people with values, and when Islam came as early as the 15th century, it was meant to enrich the lives of those who embraced it, giving them an added identity and creating new moral norms. Over time, we have found ourselves in a situation where religion is not given its place in the scheme of things. World religions were meant to teach a way of life that provides answers to human existential questions. But now things have changed. 

Joadre: How can Nigeria profit from its religious diversity? Nigeria is a country with several religions also including the indigenous belief system. 

Dr Habibat Oladosu-Uthman: Yes, I know Nigeria is a multicultural society and it is diverse in Nature. I also believe it is intentional. If God had willed, he would have made us one nation, colour, and religion. But it is done so that we know ourselves and appreciate these differences. In these differences lies our strengths if we can maximize them. If all regions are for peace, encourage morality, and frown at corruption, why not unite to take Nigeria to a better level? 

About: Dr Habibat Oladosu-Uthman is a lecturer in the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She is one of the focal persons at the University of Ibadan Gender Mainstreaming Office and a member of many administrative committees. Her vision is to build intercultural and inter-civilizational peace and harmony worldwide.

Links: Publication of research gate – BOKO HARAM AND GENDER-BASED TERRORISM IN WEST AFRICA 

Joadre: With what principles should we approach our diversity?

Dr Habibat Oladosu-Uthman: Our shared humanity is most important. We should abide by the culture of our common humanity first before we think of whether I am a muslin or Christian. You are a human being before you become whatever you become. We should think along the line of accepting others people’s values and respecting them, then we can have peace. You cannot own God. So no religion owns God. Society will improve if all religions can come together to discuss common things – our common humanity. 

Joadre: What do you think is the fundamental problem that has created the society we live in today?

Dr Habibat Oladosu-Uthman: We have deviated from the teachings of our diverse religions. Corruption is everywhere, and we are responsible for what is happening to us. When we were growing up, in the 70ties and in the 80ties, we were taught religious studies. I was taught IRK, Islamic Religious Knowledge. I was taught social studies. I was taught family living. All these shaped our lives to be better for us. What is happening to our youth today? Religious studies, removed from the curriculum. History, removed. If you do not know your history – how Nigeria became what it is today, how Nigeria was formed, you are lost. How do you want them to appreciate Nigeria when you do not teach them how what you call Nigeria became Nigeria? 

You know, in America, the first thing an American child is taught is history, polished, and presented. That is why when you see a 10-year-old American. He will say “God bless America” whenever he speaks about America. Can a Nigerian Youth say God bless Nigeria? Because if I want to look at it, he will say, he will think and ask what has Nigeria done for me? What have I gained from Nigeria? Ordinary passport, to obtain a passport in Nigeria, becomes a problem. Who are our policymakers? What are they doing? When you leave this country, I cry because of how they treat you outside. I cry because of the resources I see elsewhere. Then I wonder if our leaders do not see this when they come here? 

Joadre: What must be done to revert this situation and improve society?

Dr Habibat Oladosu-Uthman: We must return to the drawing board; where did we start? How did we come to this level of insecurity? I remember when I was growing up, I could sleep outside the house, go to the street to fetch water and go into the the bush all alone. Can anyone do that now? Is it possible? 

So a solution lies with you and with me. There is an individual responsibility and a society responsibility. Individual responsibility is one of the responsibilities of the individual in this society, and this is to start today and declare that this society, this country, must be better for all. And then a society’s responsibility emerges because if every individual is dedicated to achieving this, all of us are absorbed in it. 

We all want to build a healthy society. That when you raise your passport anywhere in the world, you are proud of it. So the first solution we can do now is to invest in our educational system. If you know what happened yesterday, you can appreciate today and plan ahead for a better tomorrow. 

Joadre: Thank you for your insight and time to talk with us. 

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Let’s Start The Conversation With BiCurosity | Interview with Filmmaker James Amuta 

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Let’s Start The Conversation With BiCurosity | Interview with Filmmaker James Amuta 

About: James is a filmmaker that wears many hats. James likes to call himself a creative entrepreneur. He founded the James Amuta company, a bespoke media production company that started by representing big clients with marketing materials. From the government, big hotels, documentaries, and infomercials. James is a cinematographer, producer, director, writer, and poet. 

Joadre: You are working on a new film called BiCurosity. What is it about?

James: The story is about a young woman who attended an all-girls school. Ten years later, she wants to get married but doubts her sexuality. We know these stories. They are everywhere, but no one wants to talk about them. BiCurosity is about the truth of what happens in our society in Nigeria. Some things we choose to sweep under the rug. I say it is an anti-homophobia film. But some would decide to call it a pro homo film. But let’s stick to the fact. It is an anti-hate film. Bicuriosity is a conversation starter. 

Joadre: What was your experience shooting Bicurosity?

James: It was magical to shoot Bicurosity.

There is a mental health aspect to it. Imagine the mental turmoil some people must go through because they are trying to figure out how to be themselves or find help in a society that has prescribed jail terms. With this film, I want to tell you how it is, and you form your opinion, come to your own conclusions and judge for yourself. 

James Amuta and Nollywood - Nigerian film industry

Joadre: What motivated you to handle this topic in your film?

James: We are all guilty in one way or the other in perpetuating homophobia. It starts very innocently. I went to an all-boys school, and in my school, some boys were more in tune with their femininity. But you had the alpha males, those who get into mischief, the bullies, the sports champions, and the popular boys, which often excluded the more feminine-inclined boys. These were young boys who were in touch with their feelings. Those masculine bullies were rather not man enough to face their feelings. There was no sexual orientation back then in my teenage years, so bullying such boys who did not fit the definition of masculinity was acceptable in society. 

I remember an incident back then in school called “Iliokua”. Today, I am still trying to understand what it really means. But back then, in the 90ties, it was used to refer to same-sex intimacy. So some boys at school were interrogated for having an intimate relationship. My old school was founded around 1925 before Nigeria existed in this form. The school’s image is more important than the children’s mental health. After the incidents, during the PTA meeting, parents were informed that the boys had committed an unprintable offence. The school management then could not mention or name what it was. The boys could not be expelled because it would raise questions. But as a child, what struck my curiosity, was that the reports could not name the offences. How bad is it that what they did that it had no vocabulary? We were called to an assembly. We were also instructed not to talk about it. It became a boarding school secret to take to your grave. 

According to Wikipüedia: Bi-curious is a term for a person, usually someone who is a heterosexual, who is curious or open about engaging in sexual activity with a person whose sex differs from that of their usual sexual partners.

Joadre: Is the time right now for us to have the conversation?

James: Oh yes, the time is right. I am talking about something that happened in 1994 back then. How do these boys feel now? How is that state of mind? How was the issue resolved back then? 

Joadre: Being a controversial topic, was it a challenge to get the crew and cast for this film? 

James: Oh yes, getting actors to play this role was challenging. Many acknowledged that it was a powerful story but were scared it might dent their image. I cannot endorse it. I do not want trouble. But what they need to know is that this is art. I understand them to an extent because this country has a lot of hypocrisy – you could be tagged, and many people will not want to work with you anymore. 

  • We will keep you updated about where to watch this film in the future.

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Our Joadre organisation runs a film production branch which aims to connect African filmmakers with their European counterparts to develop projects that cut through the shared historical experiences of both continents. Alongside our film production, we created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Fashion Brand MEFIRE Innovates Body-Sizing For Curvy Women. 

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Fashion Brand MEFIRE Innovates Body-Sizing For Curvy Women. 

Joanna has always wished to create fashion sustainably, but she realised how challenging it was to find vibrant fashion cuts that fit curvy women. As an African diaspora based in Germany, She embarked on intensive training to develop her fashion illustration and pattern-making skills. Launching MEFIRE was a no-brainer. 

You have to be resilient to get what you want!

Her pieces are inspired mainly by the batik and “African” wax-printed fabrics. She grew up admiring her Camerooner mother wearing lovely and colourful bold prints. So when Joanna wanted to launch a fashion brand, it dawned on her that there were minimal Afrocentric prints with the kind of elegance and luxury fabric she wanted in the market. She desired the “softer” and more flowy fabrics, but there were none. Resilient, Joanna Atemnkeng embarked on her journey to educate herself and create the patterns for this first collection. It took her a couple of years, lots of innovation, tons of trial and error and money to bring her dream to fruition. 

Behind every piece of fashion, MEFIRE aspires to inspire women to nurture the fire from within. She says wrong beliefs often cloud women about themselves. So much so that we may rarely experience these inherent beautiful qualities within ourselves without the help of an external trigger, say, a new job, loving friends etc. Which is ok but limited because we might become solely dependent on external situations/people to feel peaceful and contented. Nurturing the fire within means clearing up the noise that holds us back and realising that the source of all the beauty we search for is already within us. 

These garments are all about femininity. Femininity has many interpretations, but for this collection, it was about Tight & Loose. Joana strived for designs that accentuated the feminine curves and silhouettes in some areas while allowing more freedom in others. 

Innovation takes years, money, the right attitude, and lots of trial and error!

Fashion designer Joanna Mefire Atemnkeng

Curvy women deserve a beautiful cut. 

Though it was challenging, Joanna shared her extraordinary approach with us. It all started with getting an outfit that fits a beautiful curvy hip area without being too big on my waist and vice versa unless the material contains lots of elastic. Most brands rarely consider this factor. As a woman of colour, Joanna designed a unique set of patterns for what she defines as the “X” body shape common in women of colour. You can read the full story in our EBIZ magazine in JoadreTRIBe App. Believe you can because you absolutely can.  The journey is the goal, so try to have fun and accept day-to-day challenges, says Joana from MEFIRE. 

  • Designer: Joanna MEFIRE Atemnkeng’s
  • Style: Feminine, Afrocentric Luxury
  • Findings: Exclusive fabrics and sustainable findings.
  • Ordering method: Online @ https://mefire-printwear.com/
About: Mefire is a German-based fashion brand founded by Joanna MEFIRE Atemnkeng from Cameroon. Mefire has the vision to honour the flame within by embracing women of different body types. Their designs are made out of high-quality, African-inspired printed fabrics.

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

How To Start A Barbing Salon Business In Nigeria

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How To Start A Barbing Salon Business In Nigeria

The barbing saloon is a business that will always remain profitable in Nigeria. Looking good is no longer a female thing; men also want to look good. They need a professional barber and a comprehensive service to cater to this growing desire to look fabulous. In this blog, I want us to explore some crucial details to help you launch your barbing saloon business. 

A barbing salon is a place where people, men especially, go to have their hair cut and styled. It is typical for men to visit the salon multiple times a week either to cut or shave their hair, bears. I was intrigued to visit a barbing saloon where they offered pedicures and manicures. Yes, most men do consume these services. Let us explore the requirements to start.

Requirements for starting a barbering salon business

A shop or place of business: for this, you have multiple options; you can either work from home, meet the hairdresser in your area to allow you to share her space with her for a token fee, or you work under another barber in your area. Be innovative. Do not let location hold you back! If you choose to get a location, remember that furnishing would be needed. Choose a very good location, somewhere accessible. 

Clippers: It is advised that you can start with one or two original clippers, which cost around N5000 from Jumia. Mind you, there are other places to order your clippers form. Make sure to read the manual, guarantee, and reviews. 

Standby Generator or Solar panels system: Unfortunately, you know the country’s power supply history. You can not afford to launch a venture without a standby power supply. However, research further on the possibility of using solar systems and storage batteries or inverters. It might not be as expensive as you think when you calculate the long-term effect of getting fuel or diesel. Also, the availability of these fuels, the time to cue up to get it and the pollution to the environment in terms of noise and CO2. I have seen very remote solar systems that can power all your equipment. 

Sterilizers: This is very important in a barbing salon as it is used to keep the barbering equipment in good condition and for hygienic purposes. We just exited a pandemic; you should increase your health and safety standards. You can find one for around N1500. 

Wall mirror: It is used by both the barber and the customer to see how the hair looks while cutting. You can get a good wall mirror from the local glass cutters for N25000, but you may not need it if you are doing the barbering salon/hairdresser option. Also do not forget the hand mirror. People love to see the back of their hair.

Rotating chair: You need at least one for a start. You can get this for around N15000.

Fan: We recommend a chargeable version and something portable. Prices could start from N30000 upwards. But remember, to avoid this cost, you should rent space at an existing barbers saloon with all these significant infrastructures in place.

How To Start A Barbing Salon Business In Nigeria

Some other essential tools you need to start a barbing saloon business.

  • Hair Relaxer- N1500
  • Hair comb sets -N1000
  • Hair conditioner- N1500
  • Long shaving brush and slot- N1500
  • Professional barber’s duster – N2000
  • Human hair brush- N1500
  • Barber’s neck strip- N2000
  • Neck Tissue paper- N2000

Before purchasing these tools, please take time and create your barbing saloon business plan. Planning before you spend money to launch a new venture is vital. Trust me! Let us assume that you have these tools in place and your primary concern is getting your first clients. You should budget some amount for promotion – to print business bars, flyers, brochures or a signboard. Remember, a signboard call for payment of dues in some regions. 

Have you considered registering your business? Read this blog to get more tips. You must nail your intended target clients to the point. You know what they want and how much they are ready to pay. But also visit our JoadreTribe app to find answers to all legal questions regarding business registration. 

It is time to start! Be innovative

With less than 200K, you can start your barbing Salon business. Can you start with less, like 50K? Yes, you can. Simply opt-in to rent a space at an existing salon. Also, remember that you can diversify your services. If you can afford space, get a fridge and offer chilled drinks. Get internet and a coffee spot to offer even more comfort for your clients. Add an online booking opportunity to make their life easier. Get a television screen to keep the atmosphere for entertainment on. All you need to know is the real demographics of your potential clients. Join our JoadreTribe to continue to get tips and info on how to grow your ideas. 

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Voices Uprising | Pre-Colonial Economic Structures Impact Africa, With Olaf Bernau  

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Voices Uprising | Pre-Colonial Economic Structures Impact Africa, With Olaf Bernau  

After researching and speaking with several experts about the economic challenges in Nigeria, some of my findings kept directing me back towards Europe. Nigeria has a shared history with Europe which is often overlooked. Growing up in Nigeria, my generation hardly learned much about our pre-slavery history. But we also learned nothing about how the colonial or pre-colonial times have impacted the current status quo in the nation.

Many have said, well, these things happen in the past, move on! But how do you learn from the past that you do not know about? It would be absurd to assume that Europe fell from the sky with all its industrial advancement without tracing the history that made it possible.

I met with the German political scientist and social activist Olaf Bernau to explore further, from a European perspective, the mechanism of colonialization and how it is being reinvented. Many African experts have made this point clear long ago.

Olaf says that “In pre-colonial Africa, there was a political system of different kinds. There were great empires. There were great kingdoms in today’s Sahel countries, some of which were larger than the countries today. But everything that existed before the colonial rule is generally not seen at all in Europe”.

Voices Uprising. More about the film is available here >

Joadre: Some people argue that today’s status quo in many African economies has no connection to its experience in pre-colonial and colonial history. How do you see this?

Olaf: You can often hear today that Africans should no longer rest on their laurels in colonial times. The colonial era is over. It’s 60 years, 70 years in the past. And today’s African problems can no longer be explained by the colonial era. That’s actually totally absurd. It would be like that if you said today anyway, the industrial nation of Germany has nothing to do with the industrialization of the 19th century. Of course, the past has to do with the present. Germany is industrially strong because there was industrialization in the 19th century. And many African countries have very little industry because colonialism expressly prevented African countries from becoming industrialized.

Joadre: From your perspective as a European political scientist, what hinders industrial development in Nigeria?

Olaf: After independence, you basically had the kind of rulership which was very centralized rulership, very despotic. Rule without checks and balances, as implemented by the colonial powers. This type of rule was then basically continued by the elites after independence. Of course, this has been adjusted a bit. It wasn’t exactly the same. But there’s a very strong continuity between colonial times and independence. Unfortunately, there is very little continuity between pre-colonial times and independence. And that basically caused disorientation and also caused the defunctionalization that persists to this day. 

Of course, industrialization would have been possible after independence, especially in Nigeria, with its high income from oil exports, but that didn’t happen. It didn’t happen because the European elite didn’t want it, but at some point, it didn’t happen because the Nigerian elite didn’t want to. We have to speak critically about Europe. We have to speak critically about the African elite. We have to discuss critically, their collaboration, because what the African elite do is often also in the interests of the European elite. They promote it, they stabilize it and are often interested in the fact that things are going exactly the way they are going.

film Voices Uprising with Olaf Bernau

About Olaf Bernau:
Olaf Bernau is an activist and sociologist and has since served in different roles as co-founder of a city commune in Bremen, in the anti-racist network “NoLager”, and cofounded the transnational network Afrique-Europe-Interact in 2010. He spends about 4 to 8 weeks yearly in West Africa, especially in Mali and regularly publishes in magazines. He is the author of the 2022 released book titled “The causes of flight in West Africa and what Europe should do”.

Joadre: What has been the economic impact of slavery in Africa?
Olaf: With slavery, a process started, and this is the discrepancy in development between today’s African countries and today’s European ones. Because the slave trade was a hefty profit for the European side. They not only made a profit there, but they invested the profits in their incipient industrialization, which has led to Europe being able to industrialize and become more and more powerful. Conversely, the slave trade, from the African perspective, has totally blocked economic development in many African regions that were affected by the slave trade. The entire economy was totally paralyzed for literally two, three, four hundred years.

And that was an incredibly destructive force, not in the phase of a 5-year war or something, but a destructive force over two, three hundred years. And exactly in parallel, complementarily, Europe, precisely at this time, has made itself stronger and stronger. When slavery ended, and colonialism continued uninterruptedly, there were raw materials, mineral raw materials, and agricultural raw materials and this basic structure, which arose in slavery, was deepened in colonialism and was never dissolved after independence. At the end of colonialism, the then-created economic structure still exists today, namely the economic structure that the African countries actually should only export raw materials and resources.

Voices Uprising. More about the film is available here >


Joadre: You say that there are new measures in place, such as financial instruments used to uphold the status quo from pre-colonial times till date. Can you enlighten us about this?

Olaf: There were these structural adjustment programs from the west. The structural adjustment programs have basically taken the same logic as those that existed in slavery, that already existed in colonialism, it applies the same logic with modern financial instruments. And that in the affected countries caused upheavals, social upheavals that are still noticeable today on very different levels. Poverty rates have exploded and once people have been made poor, sometimes it’s not quite easy to get back on your feet.

Within the whole free trade negotiations, Europe conducted, in their own interest politics, a tough-as-nails politics. And really partially put the gun on the chest of African countries. Threatening that if you don’t comply, we will take this and these measures. Then we will no longer allow your product to the European market, or we will increase taxes. They also work with very different means. We will issue far fewer visas, and your people can get to Europe even worse and more difficult than is the case today. So there is a very broad range of instruments that Europe is plays with. And far too little is known about it in the public. And that’s why I think or say these two things. Europe must finally give up and stop a lot of things. That alone would help a lot if Europe stopped doing certain things.

Joadre: What solutions must be pursued now to create a fair global balance for many African nations?

Olaf: The west does not have the solution for these multiple crisis. The solution actually lies there on the ground in Africa. But the west must be ready to say that we have now benefited for several centuries, in this process in which we have benefited, we are also largely responsible for these multiple crisis. And then you can talk specifically about what the European government should do now, or what they shouldn’t do so that the countries can get back on their feet anyway.

Thank you, Olaf for your insight and time. Olaf Berna is one of the protagonists in the film Voices Uprising. More about the film is available here >

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Why Is This Happening? Voices Uprising Talk With James Amuta

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Why Is This Happening? Voices Uprising Talk With James Amuta

We met with several protagonists during our research for the film Voices Uprising. One intriguing personality we were opportune to have an extensive conversation with was James Amuta. James is a creative entrepreneur that wears many hats. He is a cinematographer, producer, director, writer, and poet. One of his recent works was on set as a producer for the film Collision Course which thematises police brutality and the situation of the police in the country. 

Minimum Wage To Protect Millions?

His experience on the film set reminded him of the situation of many police officers in the country. A full-grown man is paid around 30 or 40 thousand Naira a month (barely 70 US$), and is given a loaded gun. With this minimum wage and an automatic weapon, expecting him to be civil is almost impossible. That salary cannot cater for anything in the current Nigerian economy. In our Film Voices Uprising, James mentioned that most police officers must be educated or appropriately trained before being sent on duty. 

James Amuta and Nollywood - Nigerian film industry

About: James is a filmmaker that wears many hats. James likes to call himself a creative entrepreneur. He founded the James Amuta company, a bespoke media production company that started by representing big clients with marketing materials. From the government, big hotels, documentaries, and infomercials. James is a cinematographer, producer, director, writer, and poet.

No Tools To Protect And Serve! – Film Voices Uprising

Many do not have insurance, and no one cares about their welfare. When a police officer dies in the line of duty, what happens to his children, his widow and all that? We should understand and see the world the police officers come from. Many good men join the police force with ideals and great ideas that I want to protect and serve. When they get there, there is a lot of corruption, and they do not have the tools to protect and serve. Many are not encouraged to protect and serve; they go rogue. Yeah! 

Let Us Ask – Why Is This Happening?

James insisted that it is essential we recognise that we all in Nigeria are the system. We are the broken ones. The system is broken. Instead of focusing on what happened, let us ask ourselves why it is happening because if we understand why we can begin to find ways to stop it from happening. We were so excited to have James explore his perspective as an artist and filmmaker whose work tackles issues within our society. His participation in our documentary brought a rich perspective to the conversation, and we are grateful for this. To watch the documentary, visit Voices Uprising for details. 

Connect with us, and get our app.

Our Joadre organisation runs a film production branch which aims to connect African filmmakers with their European counterparts to develop projects that cut through the shared historical experiences of both continents. Alongside our film production, we created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Personal & Healthcare Industry In Nigeria | Overview

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Personal & Healthcare Industry In Nigeria | Overview

Nigeria’s personal and healthcare business is a fast-growing industry. It includes beauty and fitness salons, fitness centres, gyms and health clubs, hair and beauty salons, spas and clinics, medicines, and medical equipment, among other enterprises. Millions of people work in the industry, which generates billions of dollars in income each year. In reality, the personal and healthcare business is one of the country’s largest and most profitable. Personal care items include Salon Professional Hair Care, Shampoos, Styling Agents, Dental Floss, Denture Care, Mouth Fresheners, Mouthwashes/Dental Rinses, Tooth Whiteners, and Toothbrushes.

The industry has been flourishing over the past ten years. Healthcare services have emerged as a significant economic engine, with a slew of international investors vying for a piece of the pie. Local businesses have also been drawn to the industry, with several establishing tiny health clinics in their villages. Young Nigerians who want to start their own enterprises or work for huge firms find healthcare to be one of the most appealing areas.

Nigeria’s personal and healthcare business is one of the country’s most important. It is expected to experience significant growth annually, with the healthcare industry accounting for a substantial portion of that. Hospitals, pharmaceutical businesses, medical equipment suppliers, medical labs, and clinics are all part of the industry, providing various services. The industry has grown in recent years as the population has gotten more affluent and has better access to healthcare.

Impact on the Economy

Nigeria has become a top investment destination for multinational companies looking to enter Africa’s beauty and personal care sector. Nigeria’s beauty and personal care industry is the fastest-growing in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to research, Nigeria’s cosmetics business is worth $3,4 billion. 

According to the latest GDP figures, Human Health Care and Social Services account for roughly N487 billion, or about 0.7 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP. A GDP growth rate of around 4% was also achieved in the sector. The hair care market was estimated to be worth 116.4 billion Naira in 2017. In Nigeria, skin care products sold for more than 92 billion Naira in that year. Meanwhile, healthcare spending is expected to account for 2.94 per cent of the country’s GDP by 2021.

Leading Companies

Top industry heavyweights such as Unilever, Daily Need Industry Limited, and L’Oreal are leading Nigeria’s fast-growing personal care and beauty sectors.

Ministry in Charge

The Nigerian personal healthcare business is managed, regulated, and promoted by the ministries of health, industry, trade, investment, agriculture, and other agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Other organisations, such as the Nigerian Medical Association and the Nigerian Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, are also active.

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Stay connected. We will bring you more industry reports and articles. 

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Interview With Obianuju Iloanya | Film Voices Uprising

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Interview With Obianuju Iloanya | Film Voices Uprising

It took a second trip to Nigeria to get Obianuju to talk to us. After much online research and reading reports from Amnesty International, we quickly realised that we had to find someone, most likely an expert who has been personally affected by the brutality of SARS: We found Obbianuju. In November of 2012, her brother Chijioke was arrested by a SARS unit in OKUZU. Soon after we arranged the lights, sounds and Camera, Obainuju opened up about her experience sharing this very insightful interview with us. 

Joadre: How do you remember your brother, Chijioke?

Obianuju: He loves fashion and dressing up. Shoes are his thing. He is the most fashionable one amongst us. He is fun. He always looked after me. People knew that Chijioke loved me and would do anything to protect me. We were like twins. Oh god, he loves salt. 

Links: Linkedin | Article on Medium | Film Voices Uprising

About: Obianuju Iloanya is a political scientist and an advocate for social justice. She is a feminist and a firm believer in youth leadership, gender equity and social inclusion. As an expert who experienced the brutality of SARS in her personal life – Her brother Chijioke Iloanya was arrested by SARS and never found to date, Obianuju continues to advocate against police brutality.

Joadre: Tell us about the day he got arrested. 

Obianuju: Chijoke went to a child dedication ceremony. Child dedication is a normal Nigerian thing. After the dedication, you go for the afterparty. So he went to the after party. Chijoke and some boys were having fun, talking, gisting, drinking, and making noise. That was what the police officer said prompted them to make the arrest. They said there were a group of boys making noise in the compound. They came, and they carried everybody. About 4 of them were arrested. 

Joadre: Is this the procedure for arrest in Nigeria?

Obianuju: When someone gets arrested, the next thing will be either the person gets bailed or charged to court. If found guilty, the person will go to jail. That was my opinion on things. That was what I believed not until 2012 when my brother was arrested. They saw my brother being led out with the three other guys.

At first, my mother could not go to the police station because a male relative must escort her. So when my father came, they went to the police station. They were all in chains. They were already beaten and looking rough. My mum started shouting. That’s the boy I am talking about. That’s my son. 

SARS Okwuzu is a very terrible place to be at. It is a nightmare for every young person. They met with the OC. They said sir, I came because of my son. That one we saw that day. He said, if it is that boy you are talking about, I have wasted him, and there is nothing you can do. Those were his words. I have killed your son, and there is nothing you can do.

Voices uprising by joana Adesuwa reiterer
Chijioke Iloanya | Missing since 2012

Joadre: What would you say prompted the endSARS protest in 2020?

Obianuju: The primary reason why we were out is police brutality. You have to understand that what poured us to be out there is the police killing somebody. That was why we went out and decided to protest. We know that there is economic hardship. But the breaking point was we are suffering all these things; why do we also have to die unnecessarily at the hands of the people we suffer to pay their salary?  

You must understand the economic aspect of all this. Now if my parents were rich, if they were Dangote. Or if my parents were, if my dad was a politician, say Peter Obi or Atiku. This would not happen. Of all the stories of police brutality you have heard, I am sure you have not heard of any rich person with social and economic capital having their son brutalised by the police. So you find justice in Nigeria for the Rich if you can afford it. 

Joadre: What would you want to happen so that you can get closure in the case of your brother?

Obianuju: I still want to go to court. AI want a civil case. Let the court take this case properly. I demand answers. The court has enforcing powers. The unit’s responsible officer should be summoned. He will come. He will answer the court, and maybe he will give us answers to what actually happened. 

Watch the movie and listen to Obianuju’s contribution to the film Voices Uprising >

Politics and participation in Nigeria | Voices Uprising

Joadre: Are there enough policies in place to prevent such atrocities from happening?

Obianuju: I studied political science and have worked with civil society. I have an interest in conflict litigation and social justice. At the base of everything, justice is essential. If we all can access justice irrespective of our status, things can improve in the country. Nigeria has to work at some point. We have various policies, a whole lot of them. The problem is who is enforcing which. 

Joadre: How would you describe the political situation in the country?

Obiajunu: There is political apathy in Nigeria, and it is deep. We believe there would be rigging. It is unfair. Power corrupts. People want to hold on to power as long as they can, so they keep rigging themselves in. At our current level, we have to get people to vote. 

We need an ideological movement. Most of the votes we lose are the votes we do not canvass for. It is time for a new initiative, go to the grassroots, and talk to people. Look at Stacy Abraham and what she did in Georgia. She canvased for the grassroots vote, and Georga flipped. We must effect change not by creating third forces but by infiltrating spaces. 

I would fight my best to the best of my ability. 

Obianuju Iloanya

We can spend our time on social media lamenting and talking on Twitter from home. Many do not have voters card, and they do not vote. But it is beyond performative rage or performative activism. If everyone eligible to vote does not show up, rigging can happen. It is your money, your task used to print the cards, so go and use it. 

I can sit down here, telling you about how Nigeria is bad and what not. But I can only effect change when I begin to participate in politics. Hate Politics as much as you can. You must participate for it to favour you.

Find your prefered way to watch the movie Voices Uprising >

Where to watch now:

Rent for 3.99$ on Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/ondemand/voicesuprising OR

watch for FREE on the Joadre app – https://tribe.joadre.com.

*More options may be available in the future.

Joadre: Are you hopeful?

Obianuju: There is so much work to be done, but there is hope. We are going to get it right. My generation would. I would fight my best to the best of my ability. I will because, god forbid I have children that suffer the same fate that I did. God forbid I have children that would be scared to go out because the police will shoot them dead. We will get it right.

Connect with us, and get our app.

Our Joadre organisation runs a film production branch which aims to connect African filmmakers with their European counterparts to develop projects that cut through the shared historical experiences of both continents. Alongside our film production, we created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Interview with filmmaker Joana Adesuwa Reiterer >

Voices Uprising, a Film by Joana Adesuwa Reiterer

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Voices Uprising, a Film by Joana Adesuwa Reiterer

As the idea of a nation embodying wealth, peace, and unity turns 60 years, a long-evolving uprising expands to the streets. The mission was to end the notorious police units SARS, but soon many Nigerians began to demand good governance and an end to repressive politics. Our CEO, a filmmaker passionate about understanding the diverse issues that affect SMEs in Nigeria, decided to explore this event closely. “It all started on October 10th 2020, or better said, some days earlier, as a SARS unit shoot a young man dead at Ugheli on October 3rd. 

You must have a job to complain the protest hinders you from accessing your job. 

At first, the inconvenience it caused professionals and entrepreneurs brought the issue to our attention. We began to follow the media reports closely and realised that this is beyond inconvenience for entrepreneurs and workers. If we have to create a county where the atmosphere to do business is conducive, we all have to be part of it. It is understandable that professionals and business people must access the roads to get to their work. Nigeria comprises millions who might need decent work or business to look forward to. 

Voices uprising by joana Adesuwa reiterer
Olaseni Ajai, film protagonist.

Mass protest amidst the pandemic and strikes. 

When the protest started, the covid pandemic had hit the world hard. While many countries in the west had begun to develop relief packages and aid for their professionals and entrepreneurs, palliatives were being hidden in warehouses around Nigeria. Many schools turned to homeschool, for which the prerequisite is the internet. But how many Nigerians can afford unlimited internet access for education in that form? Moreover, the universities had been on strike for weeks by then. Things were not looking good for the country.

The issue of police brutality has been on for a very long time. Around 2016/2017, a group of activists started the awareness via social media. And some had entered into a conversation with the police force, helping to create new legislation. However, Nigeria does not suffer from a lack of legislation but execution. Who implements what, and who is accountable? This also takes us back to the question of governance, which many protesters felt was a significant issue to tackle. 

Soon October 20th struck, and at around 7pm, protesters were shot at. Not only at the Lekki toll gate but in other parts of the country, according to Seun Kuti, a musician and activist who is a lead protagonist in the film Voices Uprising. A protest that started off peacefully turned into evidence of police brutality. Many countries in the world suffer from police brutality. The George Floyd case in the US is an excellent example amongst many. It was a case that moved the world and led to multiple protests around the globe. 

Voices Uprising, Synopsis

Police brutality by SARS ignites an uprising beyond the streets to the minds of Nigerians who question the idea of a nation embodying wealth, peace and unity. 

In Africa, police brutality can not be pinned down to racism. It is more connected to corruption, and social and economic capital, which is another means to divide a population into different classes and apply other principles to them. Watching the events of October 20th, it became inevitable not to create a documentary about it. Many would want us to keep our dirty laundry inside but that is the power we give to perpetrators – silence. 

Silence is their weapon.

Silence is a weapon used and justified by mediocre reasons to keep the status quo. Shame is one reason. As a black nation, we do not want the world to think we are violent; we want to rebrand our image, so only the glorious aspects of our collective existence must be relieved and paraded for the world to see. 

Voices uprising by joana Adesuwa reiterer
Chijoke Iloanya | missing since 2012

Are we gatekeepers of the status quo?

What about the millions of people whose dignity and pride have been injured, broken, and stolen? Should we, the entrepreneurs and professionals, become gatekeepers of the status quo by ignoring the plights of others so that we can protect our reputation? Is it not more sustainable to tackle the issues at hand and create a fair society? We began our research to understand how police officers became so brutal. What systems are we upholding that make our environment fertile for this kind of character? We spoke to Osai Ojigho, the country director of Amnesty International Nigeria. We met with victims of SARS and also spent time listening to Obianuju Iloanya, whose brother was taken away by SARS in 2012. 

I thought I knew. But I am ignorant – Voices Uprising.

Joana Adesuwa Reiterer

It was a heartbreaking experience to listen to these stories. But how did we get here in the first place? Was it about more than an idea – Nigeria? A nation that was created to embody wealth, peace and unity? This leads us to explore our pre-colonial history. During our archive material hunt, we stumbled across so much footage that our CEO said, “I thought I knew much about the country in which I was born and grew up, but I know nothing. These archive materials show a great journey that we are yet to understand. The reading materials, over 3000 pages of diverse text, reveal facets of stories about us that are yet to be told”. 

More film in the making.

It has been 2 years of research, working on the film on the side while building Joadre other programs. Working on this film has brought about many ideas for future fiction and documentary films we will produce. We look forward to partners who would like to work with us in the area of production investment and distribution of our works. To see some of our previous films where we focused on human trafficking, please visit our film page here. You can get more information about our new documentary, Voices Uprising on its website. 

Voices uprising by joana Adesuwa reiterer
Finished product from a Nigerian SME featured in beats on teh film.

Connect with us, and get our app.

Our Joadre organisation runs a film production branch which aims to connect African filmmakers with their European counterparts to develop projects that cut through the shared historical experiences of both continents. 

Alongside our film production, we created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Art Can Impact Society, Says James Amuta | Nollywood. 

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Art Can Impact Society, Says James Amuta | Nollywood. 

We met with James Amuta,  a filmmaker based in Lagos. He has worked on films like Oloture, Collision Course and many others. He explains why it is inevitable for the government to build a film industry infrastructure. We were honoured to have this insightful talk with him.

Joadre: Is it the culture in the film industry to wear multiple hats, or is it an economic urgency?

James: It is not the culture; your capability often demands it. Above all, the environment calls for flexibility. Others have employed me to serve in multiple capacities. It is a function that comes from years of experience, passion, and interest. There are filmmakers gifted in creating the entire process of the films, from scripting to editing. They control the whole process. It is tedious. It is not something you acquire overnight. I have worked in different capacities. I started pretty early. I started in 1996. I think I was 15 years old when I shot my first work. 

Joadre: What challenges do you face as a film industry creative?

James: Many challenges affect my work, but I live in Lagos and am a Nigerian. We are very tenacious people; we do not see closed doors. We will break that door down. We keep moving forwards. Everything is rigged against the entire creative industry in Nigeria, but things are changing gradually. We need that enabling environment to make films. You have to find funding privately. We have to use actual locations. No film village, studio space, no sound stage. In terms of equipment, we are just catching up. A lot of these film you see is made small, and the budget is kept to a minimum so that they can break even. You must be crazy to want to do international production, but I am crazy, so I want that. If you are creative, you have that creative disease or addiction. You can’t help it. 

Joadre: Looking at your film set alone, it is obvious how much the film industry contributes to the Nigerian economy. Should the government be invested in developing the sector, or is it better to keep the whole space private economy? 

James: The government has a whole lot of things to do. Right now, there are a bunch of people running this industry. The entire sector is privately financed. The government had initiated different programs to help Nollywood, but it was more targeted at those creating lower-budget films with up to 10 million or less. If you venture into projects above 25 million, you must fund privately. We are not asking for government money; we need more infrastructural support, like a physical structure. The government has land; for example, take the Lekki free trade zone with all the large manufacturing going to happen there. The film industry needs its own space where you can have significant players like Trino Studios, FilmOne, Inkblot, Ebony Life and such. We need security, backlot insurance, and negative production insurance. We carry expensive equipment without insurance. The government can partner with filmmakers to promote Lagos as an economic hotspot, just like New York did with the film industry. They sell locations through film. 

Joadre: What other films have you worked on? And How do you decide which film is next?

James: I am driven by the need to impact society. The film Oloture is about human trafficking. When I read the story, I knew this was very important. Something has to be done about our girls being trafficked to Europe. Many die, and their stories have to be told. Then from Oloture, I went to work on the film Collision Course, now streaming on Netflix. When the #Endsars happened, it was the right time to address this issue – Police brutality. Collision Course is a film about the broken system that has given birth to corruption in the police and their impunity. On these films, I served as a producer, working with brilliant directors and a great team.

Joadre: As an artist, do you believe art can transform society?

James: Yes, absoluetely. That is my job. Every artist should use their skills to help society, tell truths, and correct wrongs where possible. I see society as a wall; it is broken or cracked. You try to fix the crack so the wall does not fall or paint on it. Your work is like a photograph of the wall. You show people to decide whether to fix or paint on it. But then, the photograph of the wall will probably get it fixed if that is the superior argument. As an artist, I do not have the tools to fix it. I am not a doctor, and I am not an inventor. But I want to contribute to society. I want the next neurosurgeon from Nigeria to survive and not be killed on his drive home because the police want a bribe.

Thank you James for sharing.🙏🏾

About: James is a filmmaker that wears many hats. James likes to call himself a creative entrepreneur. He founded the James Amuta company, a bespoke media production company that started by representing big clients with marketing materials – from the government, big hotels, documentaries, to infomercials. James is a cinematographer, producer, director, writer, and poet. 

Connect with us, and get our app.

Our Joadre organisation runs a film production branch which aims to connect African filmmakers with their European counterparts to develop projects that cut through the shared historical experiences of both continents. Alongside our film production, we created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

Set Up You Business To Grow, With Lawyer Precious Toju 

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Set Up You Business To Grow, With Lawyer Precious Toju 

First, when you want to start a business, you should take advantage of asking a lawyer as many questions as you can. Precious Tojus was at Joadre Studios, and it was an enriching conversation. 

About Precious Toju: Precious Toju is a business lawyer, real estate consultant and mediation advocate. She helps startups and companies structure their business legally and established companies with financial matters around mergers or acquisitions of other companies. 

Joadre: You encourage startups to set up a legal structure. However, people embark on entrepreneurship often through hustling, without any thought of a legal setup. What is the difference between a hustler and an entrepreneur? 

Precious: A hustler and an entrepreneur are both business people. But the significant difference is that a hustler does their business randomly, as it comes. Depending on what is said to be the in-thing, they hold on to multiple firms simultaneously without any specific focus or plan. The primary goal is to make money to survive the economy. But an, entrepreneur approaches their idea with a structure, a vision and a plan. Such an approach demands a legal system which is the starting point. 

A hustler does not have a direction. It is just business to survive!

Joadre: There are entrepreneurs with multiple business ideas. Is it about focusing on one idea, or what would you advise as a lawyer?

Precious: An entrepreneur goes into business to solve a problem. They see a vacuum in the market and want to fill it up. Even if an entrepreneur ends up joggling 3 or 4 businesses, you will discover that they did not start all of them at a go. The person will take it one step at a time. They will ensure they have built a business and venture into the next. So yes, entrepreneurs have multiple businesses but develop a well-structured manner to build a group of brands or companies. 

Joadre: Can a hustler become an entrepreneur? Why is it essential to legally structure your idea? What are the advantages?

Precious: I must highlight that a hustler can aspire to become an entrepreneur. There is always a starting point for everyone. As a student, for example, you could hustle to survive that period. Still, later you can then structure that hustling into entrepreneurship. You should set up your idea or business legally to have legal protection because anyone out there can steal your idea. It would help if you also had legal recognition. This means that the relevant government authorities and agencies recognise you as the owner of a legitimate running business. This will give you access to grants, loans and other forms of official empowerment. Another reason to structure and set up legally is to use that brand name, avoiding conflict of interest exclusively. This takes us to trademark registration. 

Quick expert tip: 5 key reasons to legally set up your business

  1. Protect your idea
  2. Gain authority
  3. Legal recognition
  4. Get access to empowerment
  5. Avoid conflict of interest. 

Joadre: Why are people reluctant to set up legally? 

Precious: Well, being reluctant is typical of an average Nigerian. Most people see it truly as stress. Some are not even interested in any government grant or incentive. They want to make money to eat and feed their family. They would not see a reason when the vision is not big or meaningful. However, as I mentioned earlier, if someone starting a business does not have a vision for their business, they would be reluctant to do the right thing. Another reason is the system in Nigeria. Things work inconsistently and are frequently demotivating. The systems design needs to be improved, though there are ongoing efforts by various government agencies. Concerning tax, when you pay your tax in Nigeria, you hardly see what the tax is being used for. Hence people get reluctant as they cannot connect the tax payment with the value it brings. Take power supply as an example; people need electricity and internet to run their businesses. You pay heavily and extra for this, even when it is not efficient and consistent. So there is also the Nigerian factor involved. 

Joadre: What about European companies or diasporas who want to enter the market? What would you advise them?

Precious: I always encourage foreigners to seek initial legal counsel. I also offer online sessions, so the distance is not a barrier. This is important to know the legal groundwork and criteria for your idea. Because it is feasible in your country does not mean it can work like that in Nigeria. I offer foreign businesses or investors to guide them from the beginning to let them know what the law allows and does not work. I am a lawyer, and I have to protect the legitimate interest of my client. So I will find strategies within the system that supports and enhances the implementation. 

Before you think of doing business in Nigeria, get a legal opinion. 

Joadre: You are incredibly consistent on social media. What inspires you?

Precious: I have a vision; that at least 8 out of 10 businesses in Africa will have a solid legal structure. That is one reason I am consistent with my encouragement on social media. 

Joadre: thank you so much. 

You can follow Precious on Instagram and contact her for details or consulting. More talks with lawyer Precious Toju can be found in JoadreTribe App. 

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Top 5 Digital Skills For Entrepreneurs 

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Top 5 Digital Skills For Entrepreneurs 

Digital skills are the ability to explore, appraise, analyse, share, and create content using information technology and the Internet. The Internet has impacted every aspect of our lives, including entrepreneurship. Digital technology has made it possible for people from very far geographical regions to connect. This connectivity allows us to access and offer services or products to previously unimaginable locations. Learning the highlighted digital skills below will lessen your operating expenses and boost your chances of success as an entrepreneur. You stand an opportunity to compete with more giant corporations and enhance your company’s efficiency.

  1. Design: Many excellent concepts began with a design phase. Learn how to create design mockups of your idea. Design isn’t just about how something appears but also how it functions. You can extend the visual design mockup to an actual prototype for testing.  
  2. Digital Marketing: It’s worthless if you make the best product in the world and no one knows about it. Learn about digital marketing topics such as social media marketing, search engine optimisation (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC), conversion optimisation, content marketing, and email marketing.
  3. Digital Accounting: Equip yourself with digital accounting tools to make day-to-day accounting for your company a breeze. They can also be programmed to work with other software programs you use. If popular software is too complex or expensive, you can start with google Sheets. Google sheet is an online excel-like document. 
  4. Automation: A good number of tools can allow you to schedule your publishing, from blogs to newsletters and social media posts. Performing tasks that software can do is not hard work but a complete waste of time. Visit our tools platform (tools.joadre.com) to see which we recommend for the different tasks. 
  5. Analytics: Simply because you like something doesn’t mean it’s the best option. Make data-driven decisions. Learn how to interpret large amounts of data, trends, and behaviours. Recognise patterns and forecast the future. Today’s web analytic tools include Google Analytics, Kissmetric, Keyword Planners, and Google Trends.

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Meet Winifred Titilayo Wessels, Nigeria’s Yoga Queen for Entrepreneurs

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Meet Winifred Titilayo Wessels, Nigeria’s Yoga Queen for Entrepreneurs

Yoga is a mental, physical, and spiritual exercise that assists people in connecting with their inner selves. It can help people improve their physical and psychological health, well-being, and interpersonal interactions. In this exclusive interview, Winifred, the CEO of Ndulife Fitness and Yoga, headquartered in Lagos, shares her and her husband’s passion. They are on a mission to assist individuals in identifying the best fitness practice to satisfy their fitness needs and goals. Winifred also talks about the benefits of Yoga, the journey to the establishment of Ndulife Fitness, its mission, and the services it provides.

Joadre: Thank you for having us. Could you introduce yourself to our readers?

Winifred: My name is Winifred Titilayo Wessels, a teacher with Ndulife Fitness. I started Ndulife with my husband, Johan Wessels. Looking towards helping others achieve their fitness goals with gentle and gradual movement.

Joadre: When did you start Ndulife?

Winifred: I started Ndulife in 2018. I only started that because I was looking for a physical fitness activity that wasn’t so strenuous. I didn’t want to lose weight and all that, and I saw that Yoga was the best fit for me because lifting my own body was enough for me to gain muscles rather than looking for ways to achieve this. I also learned to trust my body and not to push my body. I got hurt in the initial state. Every Yoga tutor will tell you, “don’t push yourself beyond your limit”, but I wanted to split immediately and back-bend. With that, I had a nerve pinch in my lower back. Now, I have learnt to take it easy with myself and understand when my body is telling me to stop and when my body is giving me the space to push.

“Yoga has made me realise that the human body is capable of a lot, our mind is capable of a lot, and we just need to be willing to harness it”

Joadre: Did you have a specific personal motivation to start Ndulife?

Winifred: One personal motivation that led me to start was the PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome), which I had. I have realised much while practising Yoga. It’s taught me how resilient we can be and how much more we are capable of accomplishing. I never thought I could swim, but I started swimming at 34 years, just because I realised I became more flexible at thirty-four. I am not naturally flexible. I couldn’t do all the things I could do now until I started Yoga. Yoga has made me realise that the human body is capable of a lot, our mind is capable of a lot, and we need to be willing to harness it.

Joadre: What’s the inspiration behind the name, Ndulife?

Manage Stress With Ndulife Yoga & Fitness

Ndulife

Winifred: Ndu in Igbo means life, and the way the Igbo translate it is that it’s the conscious state of living. By that, they mean you are consciously taking care of yourself, eating right, and doing what is right. So, Ndu is not just life; it is the conscious activities you do, the places you go, the people you interact with, and the things you let into yourself that are the conscious state of living. It is to live a reasonably efficient life, not alive and dead. In short, there are many people alive but just existing. Ndu is not existing; Ndu is conscious living.

Joadre: How can someone, usually in front of a computer screen, such as an entrepreneur, do these things? Is there a basic yoga program you can recommend at work to improve cognitive abilities and motivation?

Winifred: As we know, having an office job could be a bit sedimentary. Before you know what’s happening, our body is used to sitting in a particular position. The great thing about Yoga is that there is a movement for every point in your life, even when sitting at your desk. Let’s say you are beginning to have shoulder and upper back pain. 

You can do something as simple as interlacing your hand behind your head and just looking up to expand your chest. Then from looking up, you lean forward, roll your chest a little and your chin a little. Those little movements, even as simple as taking one hand and putting it on your neck and just taking that neck towards your shoulder and bending, take those hands down and repeat the same on the other side. 

Alternatively, simple moves like rolling your shoulder backwards, moving it forward, and looking right and left to ensure your neck is aligned correctly. All of those little movements help. You don’t need to have a big mat, while on your desk at work you can do what you want to do in 3 minutes.

Take the Ndulife Yoga course for entrepreneurs in our app.

“The great thing about yoga is that there is a movement for every point in your life….”

Nigeria’s Yoga Queen for Entrepreneurs

Joadre: How long and consistent does one need to train to gain strength, stability and flexibility?

Winifred: I know that we are all busy. Life is happening, we all have families to take care of or work to do, but the good thing with Yoga is that just 5 minutes every day takes you to a level you can’t imagine. Nonetheless, you have to be purposeful about your training. It could be that you want to work on your core today, and the next day you want to work on your legs. You need 5 minutes every day. With time, you increase it to ten to twenty; if you can’t do it every day, you can do it at least three times a week. But Yoga is about consistency. If not, you will not build muscle memory. Your muscle will naturally make a memory when it’s doing the same thing repeatedly.

Joadre: What’s your vision for Ndulife?

Winifred: Our vision is to expand beyond physical fitness to self-care because I also have another problem which I didn’t mention. It is that I was allergic to water, I don’t know if I was allergic to water (laughs), but every time I shower, I would itch for hours. Then, I learned to use organic products. I take a deep bath at least once a week because our community is dirty. Now, I notice that when I take a shower, it’s not as itchy as before. We want Ndulife to expand beyond physical fitness to wellness and healthcare. We also want to help people achieve that fitness level growth. If you’ve noticed, some people come outside and say, lift tires, lift this and that. But for someone having hormonal imbalance (PCOS) as I do or other issues, there are different fitness structures for each problem, and that’s what Ndulife wants to offer. We want to learn about this individual problem, understand your body’s anatomy and hormones, and recommend a fitness program that will be well-suited for you.

Joadre: What are your thoughts on the widespread stereotype that Yoga is just for women and that guys don’t need it?

Winifred: It’s funny to me that people will think Yoga is for women. Yoga requires an incredible amount of strength for so many of the poses. You’d see that even men that practise Yoga when they go to the gym, other men look at them in amazement because they can’t believe how they can move their bodies. You have Yoga that will teach you how to go down and lift yourself in incredible ways. Yoga is not for women only. That’s a misconception! A guy should mix his workout routine with fitness, flexibility, strength and balance. For some things, just working out in the gym cannot help you; that’s where Yoga comes in.

Joadre: Yoga is an exercise that stems from a deeper understanding of your body and links you to your spirituality. Does your program extend to the inner workings of the body?

Winifred: Yoga is both spiritual and physical. However, I understand that, being a Nigerian and living in Nigeria, most people wouldn’t want to dabble in what they can’t understand. That’s why when you are in my class, Ndulife fitness, I only teach things like breath therapy, things you can feel just by sitting down. I am not taking you beyond the physical point. Not something like, Ohh, let’s meditate and be in a different zone, no. Just by breathing and focusing on yourself, that’s enough spirituality that you need. Think about your problem when you take air in and exhale those problems out – that is already spiritual. It’s more about your breath, how you become aware of your issues with an inhale and exhale them out.

Joadre: Do you have a class plan/schedule?

Winifred: We have classes that I offer on Wednesdays and Sundays at 3/5 Modupe Alakija Crescent (Ikoyi Crescent), Lagos, Nigeria and Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. For those who don’t have the time on Wednesdays for physical classes, I encourage them to join online. You can get all the information you need if you click the link on my Instagram bio. You can join us either physically or online.

For an update on specific live classes, do follow Ndulife on Instagram.

Meet Winifred Titilayo Wessels from Ndulife

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

4 Ways To Find Great Business Ideas 

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4 Ways To Find Great Business Ideas 

Developing a viable business idea might be challenging if your thoughts are interrupted by consistent noise. Noise comes differently. It may be noise in the form of worry about being cash-strapped! We’d be lying if we said you didn’t need money. Of course, you’ll need money, although the quantity might not be as large as the noises have suggested. Let’s look at some essential strategies for developing a winning business idea. You might have been sitting on a gold mine without realising it.

Strategy #1 – Be a Trendsetter

Return to the village and discover valuable techniques for processing, creating, and storing everyday items. Revert to the digital domain and research new techniques and technology to complement that skill. You’ll be astonished at how much creativity may be sparked by integrating traditional indigenous knowledge with modern technological breakthroughs. Several countries that are now self-sufficient followed this strategy. Look for anything that fascinates you and explore it from this perspective.

Strategy #2 – Learn using Books and Documentaries

We understand that everyone must get basic knowledge through systematic education. You may, however, need to learn beyond the traditional four walls. Maintain your “strong desire to know” and expand your viewpoint. Self-teaching, learning by doing, and studying precisely what you want are just a few ways to advance your business career. However, don’t restrict yourself to fiction while picking what to read or watch. Real-life experiences, documented anecdotes, and research are all great ways to tap into a collective knowledge pool. When you view a new documentary film, you may be amazed by the ideas in your imagination. Thanks to books and movies, one of our students finally grasped what a trademark, patent, and copyright were. He immediately discovered that emailing oneself can help you protect some of your work. When you start exposing yourself, you’ll see that you know more but also nothing.

This strategy is vital! 

Strategy #3 – Listen More, Argue Less

We always surrounded ourselves with individuals who shared our ideas. Is this, however, a good thing? Many mentors will advise you to surround yourself with like-minded people. The truth is, you will never be able to broaden your thinking if you can only accommodate the thoughts of individuals similar to you. Allow yourself to hear opinions that may or may not agree with your own. It does not imply that you will suddenly follow that notion or lose control of your own. However, it allows you to better understand things by looking at them from many perspectives and dimensions. We are offering you an open invitation to find ideas. Maybe the viable idea you seek is a blend of yours and others.

Strategy #4 – Break free from your assumptions.

When individuals complain that they don’t have any ideas, we encourage them to broaden their perspectives. The first step is to discover more about the issue outside your area and community and how others dealt with it. For inspiration, consider how other entrepreneurs are tackling the problem you’re attempting to solve. Thankfully, the internet has made it feasible to do previously impossible research. This access is one of several ways to break away from the noise that says “it’s impossible”. Janie started a clothing and printing business by publishing mock-up business cards and clothing on her social media to attract potential customers. This client would eventually have to drop their own money for her to produce the job. It may be a very effective weapon if you gain control of your thoughts.

To wrap it up, it is undoubtedly tricky economic times, and you perhaps have bills to settle. To cover the immediate expense, we propose getting a less demanding job and using the time saved to grow your business. Getting a position to pay your bills does not entail performing your responsibilities ineptly. Look, if you can’t invest genuinely in someone else’s business as an employee, don’t expect to be able to invest in yours. It would help if you viewed it as a learning experience when you ultimately venture out independently.

More ways to find great ideas >

You want your idea to be authentic? Read this >

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

3 Must-Read For Entrepreneurs

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3 Must-Read For Entrepreneurs

#1 Girl, stop apologising – Rachel Hollis.

Girl, stop apologising - Rachel Hollis.

Girl, stop apologising – Rachel Hollis.

“Girl, stop apologising” remains a must-read for any female entrepreneur who needs to kick herself in the butt to move. In this book, Rachel discusses her anxieties, triumphs and setbacks and how she continually drove herself to achieve her goals. Despite being a mother of 4 kids, Rachel rocks through the hectic but finds the time to care for herself. Suppose you feel that you have to constantly apologise for who you are, that your life is passing you by, and are frightened about others’ judgement. In that case, this is the book for you to read right now.

  • Page number: 240
  • Publishing company: Hollis, Rachel
  • Date: 12th March 2019
  • ISBN: 1400209609
  • Click to get book >
The Psychology of Selling - Brian Tracy
The Psychology of Selling – Brian Tracy

#2 The Psychology of Selling – Brian Tracy

Brian Tracy’s book The Psychology of Selling gives essential knowledge and methods for improving sales by focusing on one thing: the individual. Entrepreneurs sometimes disregard the principles of selling in favour of attaining results, yet understanding the fundamentals is necessary before achieving outcomes. Brian Tracy goes over each of the significant points in great depth.

  • Page number: 240
  • Publishing company: HarperCollins Leadership
  • Date: 18th July 2006
  • ISBN: 0785288066
  • Click to get book >
Start with Why - Simon Sinek
Start with Why – Simon Sinek

#3 Start with Why – Simon Sinek

The book by Simon Sinek is a fantastic piece of business strategy, especially for those looking to develop a long-term firm built on greater meaning and purpose. He tells you how to create your company’s “WHY.”? He delves into many of Apple’s ideologies and Southwest Airlines’ best practices approach. He also looks into techniques that failed. The section where he debunks the entire marketing industry’s deception strategy is fantastic. Simon conveys the scenario so well that I got the impression that he listened to my million thoughts and then wrote a romantic business essay about it. This was the point at which I accepted my profound desire to start Joadre.

  • Page number: 256
  • Publishing company: Portfolio
  • Date: 27th December 2011
  • ISBN: 9781591846444
  • Click to get book >

Joadre’s “WHY” stems from observing how millions of Africans struggle daily, with some becoming victims of exploitation and human trafficking in Europe due to financial hardship. They are from a continent where there is abundance. Our focus is to assist African entrepreneurs in establishing long-term revenue streams so that they may live the life they desire.

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

The Civic Aspect Must Work | Voices Uprising With Osai Ojigho

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The Civic Aspect Must Work | Voices Uprising With Osai Ojigho

When we decided to make our documentary Voices Uprising about the endsars protest in Nigeria in 2020, it was clear that it would go beyond police brutality. We were interested in discovering the issues that created an environment where the police brutalise citizens. Amnesty International has documented several incidences of SARS over the past years. A day after the incident of October 20th, 2020, the organisation published an article on the matter. We were lucky to interview Osai Ojigho, the then country director of Amnesty, to gain further insights not only into the plights of the victims but also into the status quo for the police. 

Incidence: On the 20th of October at Lekki toll gate, Lagos state, Nigeria, several protesters were shot at by persons wearing military uniforms. 

Joadre: What is SARS?

Osai: The SARS is a Special Anti-Robbery Squad. However, SARs is just one of a few others specialised units. There is anti-kidnapping, there is anti-cultism, and several other units also. 

Joadre: Why and when were they set up?

Osai: They were set up in the early 1990s to address Lagos state’s rising armed robbery cases specifically. Over the years, several units of SARS were also opened across several police stations across the country. So it means that people found value in the specialised skills and experience that SARS officers bring to the art of policing in the country. However, along the line, because of their notoriety, it also meant they sometimes got away with stepping outside of the procedures. It was almost like the end justifies the means regarding SARS.  

Backstory: SARS Was Founded Around The Abacha Military Regime.

We must remember that SARS, set up around 1992, came just about the Abacha military regime, known for violence. Also, the Structural Adjustment Program has already begun to affect the common masses. More about the connection will be published in a subsequent article. For some, the presence of the police unit in their areas brought about a sense of safety as armed robbers felt threatened to carry out their robberies. But what happens when the leadership fails to hold its officers to account? What happens when police officers are underpaid and find the need to justify their actions? 

Joadre: What were the accusation brought against SARS over the years?

Osai: In recent years, we have seen cases of extrajudicial killings. Moving to disappearances. People will note that their family members have been taken yet cannot be accounted for. Nobody can hold SARS to account when everybody saw that the person was arrested and booked, yet there is no record to show that he was ever in any of your detention centres (SARS).

Voices Uprising #endsars with Osai Ojigho Amnesty International (2)
Osai Ojigho, Country Director, Amnesty International, Nigeria.
Osai Ojigho is a Nigerian human rights expert, lawyer and gender equality advocate. In 2017, she was appointed Director of Amnesty International’s national office in Nigeria. She served on the Global Advisory Council of the Institute for African Women in Law and sits on the board of Alliances for Africa.

More about the Amesty International Report on SARs in 2016 can be found here >

A protest Amidst The Covid Pandemic

Many say that October 20th, 2020, was a runoff of previous protests and attempts to cob the challenging situation in the country. On the 3rd of October, a young man was shot by the SARS unit at Ugheli. And that was what escalated the issues. Lets us remember that Nigeria, like many other countries in the world, was faced with the challenge of the Covid pandemic. But unlike many other countries in the west, Nigeria did not have measures to cater to the citizens. Palatives were found hoarded that were meant to serve the public. 

Joadre: What was the situation in the country before the protest?

Osai: When you now look at the situation in 2020, We are all experiencing the covid 19 pandemic. There was a lockdown. People are coming out of the lockdown phase. Nigeria is faced with celebrating 60 years of independence. I think that was what triggered it. 

The Civic Aspect Of Nigeria Must Be Allowed To Critic. 

According to Osai, the country director of Amnesty International, the hope, the dreams, and the possibilities seen during the Endsars protest of what Nigeria can become is something to hold dear to her heart. Many diasporas felt a positive change was coming and found it an opportunity to either return home or support this change. She encourages us to be brave, to speak our truth and share criticism. As for the government, Osai insists that if the government wants investment to come to Nigeria, then the civic, governance and security aspects in the country must work for everyone. The country needs to empower its citizens and empower civil society organisations. More conversations with Osai Ojigho can be found in our documentary Voices Uprising.

Find more information  – The Genesis of the protest > 

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

How To Pitch Your Idea To Investors

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How To Pitch Your Idea To Investors

Entrepreneurs often have great ideas but find it challenging to pitch this idea to potential partners or investors. No matter how brilliant your idea is, you will need partners and people to believe in your idea. You might even need to pitch your idea to your team as often as possible. You may need to convince others to help you with the resources you need. This is when you need to pitch your idea. No matter to who. Be it your uncle, your mum or an investor. Some might ask you to send a full document, like a business plan. This article will cover the principal elements and structure for a great pitch. Since none of the investors or partners knows your vision, your duty as an entrepreneur is to sell this vision to them. 

You must have heard about the famous elevator pitch. Even when it might not happen in an elevator, the idea is to prepare your pitch for different formats. You might meet someone with 10 minutes to listen to you or another person with only 3 minutes. In this article, we will lay out the strategic template to guide you through pitching your idea for any format. Remember, your pitch is the story of your idea or your project. 

Here are the key elements to structure your pitch: 

  1. Grand opening
  2. Your WHY 
  3. The WHAT
  4. Uniqueness 
  5. Plan 
  6. Traction 
  7. Your team. 
  8. Call to action 
  9. Wrapup 

With these nine elements, you should be able to pitch any format.  Depending on your time, you can extend or reduce each of these elements. Now let’s examine each of these elements. 

Grand opening to pitch your idea 

As the name goes, this is the first thing you must include when selling your idea to a partner or investor. If the person does not know you, start by introducing yourself. This should not be more than a sentence. No detailed biography is needed here. Move on to add a tagline. This is the line or statement that would capture your audience. If you are experienced, you can start with this tagline before introducing yourself. However you choose, make sure the tagline says it all. In a movie, the tagline is like the logline. That one statement that draws viewers to watch the movie. Your opening can be a question, an assumption, a fact, a statement, a mission or a simple hypothesis.  Craft the perfect tagline for your pitch and rehearse it in many possible ways. You can be creative here to find intriguing ways to present this tagline. 

WHY 

After you have captured your audience, it is time to tell them why. The WHY is the main issue your idea is needed. It is like summarising the problem and how your idea or project is the right fit to solve it. Use a story to evoke emotions.  Let the audience feel the pain point and who it affects. Use figures and statistics. Make it a pressing problem. A carefully crafted three sentences can cover this section. If you find it challenging to know your WHY, Check our WHY Template to learn more.

The WAHT

This is the section where you focus solely on the solution your idea brings. If it is a tangible product, you should be ready to talk about this product. Show this product in action if you can. Let the solution you propose here be able to solve the issue you just presented earlier. 

Uniqueness 

What makes your idea more unique than those solving the same or similar problem? You see, it is essential to have done your homework by researching what solutions are already out there. This is where you tell the investor or potential partner you know what you are talking about. Communicate all special attributes of your idea. If it is cheaper, more durable, more sustainable, brings added value, and so on. Find creative ways to let the audience know this. You might hear this section labelled the USP in many business tutorials, meaning Unique Selling Proposition. It all boils down to the fact that you have something special and must communicate it. 

Plan

All said and done; the audience wants to know if you have thought things through. Have you created a plan, like a business plan or a roadmap, to achieve this idea you intend to start? We have a few blogs on how to create a business plan or the structure of a business plan. We also have a template for developing a Roadmap or a Blueprint. All these tools can help you crafts this section correctly. This is where the audience is interested in your business or idea model. How do you intend to make revenue or earn an income with this idea? If your idea is charitable, you will still need to think about how to generate revenues because you need revenue to launch, develop and grow the idea, don’t you?

Traction 

Every investor or potential partner wants to know how you are invested in the idea you pitch. If you want their investment, you must have invested something tangible. This is where you let them know the status quo for your idea. What stage are you at? It is impossible to say you have done nothing. You might have made a prototype, researched, and even started or registered your company.  What have you achieved? Maybe you have won some awards relating to the idea or already have a team set up. The best-case scenario is when you can show that there is proof of concept. A proof of concept is when the target audience has purchased or used your solution and is happy doing so. How under this section, the audience wants to know what the actual potential of this project or idea is. Is it possible to scale this idea, say, offer it to a larger audience as the initial audience? Share the vision because it will increase your chances of getting support. 

Introduce your team. 

This is the easiest part because if it is just you in your team, tell the audience why you are the best fit to execute this idea. If you have managed to set up a team, let the audience know what the strengths of this team are and why they are the best fit. Because, remembers, not everyone who has an idea must be the one to execute it. 

Call to action 

You do not want to pitch and forget why you are pitching in the first place. What is it that you need for the audience you are pitching to? Is it finance? Tell them and explain the impact it would have if you got it. Is it services like maybe distribution? Alsospeak it out clearly and state the value it will bring to them. Every investor or partner wants to know what they get from any support they render. 

Wrapup, 

After all is said and done, you must employ storytelling tactics to make the audience remember everything you have pitched. It is time to wrap up everything as short as possible smartly. Remember the story you told maybe during the WHY section; you can refer to that now. By referring to something previously mentioned in your pitch, you get to remind the audience about all that has been said.  You can also manipulate the tagline to serve this purpose. It is basically to close the circle by returning to where you started. Thank your audience.

Some Quick Tips To Help You Pitch Your Idea

  • When speaking, pause for dramatic effect.
  • Look to the person you communicate with.
  • Use action words and intentional words. Effective and powerful. For example, “we are aiming to create” can be best communicated as direct as possible –  “we create”.
  • Draft, edit and rehearse your full pitch before you present it.
  • Practice different versions of your pitch – 3 minutes, 30 seconds and 10 seconds.
  • When presenting, remember to smile occasionally, stand on your feet and leave your hands naturally. 

Connect with us, and get our app.

We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

Thank you for reading to the end. 

Cheers

Joadre

The Dilemma Of 2023 Pre-election Currency Redesign In Nigeria 

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The Dilemma Of 2023 Pre-election Currency Redesign In Nigeria 

Amid the chaos around Nigeria’s currency redesign before the 2023 presidential elections, we share our first-hand insight into the status quo. Redesigning the currency of a sovereign country is not news. The U.S. currency is redesigned from time to time to stay ahead of counterfeiting threats and keep counterfeiting levels low. Any sovereign nation can decide to redesign its currency. Now that we agree on that, let us debate some further issues like the timing, the theories and perception of the masses, its current impact and what entrepreneurs should look out for in the future.

You should know the following: 

According to the CBN information, Naira notes and coins are printed/minted by the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting (NSPM) Plc and sometimes, other overseas companies and issued by the CBN.

The New Policy For Nigeria’s Currency Redesign 

On October 26th 2022, the CBN announced the introduction of redesigned 200, 500, and 1,000 naira notes into the financial system. The currency was later launched in November, and the new notes went into circulation on December 15th 2022. 

Major CBN’s Reasons For Nigeria’s Currency Redesign 

  1. Prevent currency forgery. 
  2. Combat inflation
  3. Stave-off cash hoarding 
  4. Promote a cash-less economy
    Nigeria's Currency Redesign
    New Nigerian Currency Redesign

    A cashless society means less cash will be in circulation; all payments and transactions will be carried out digitally. The Central Bank of Nigeria wants to transition Nigeria into a cashless society. This idea has many advantages but also opens up questions like data protection.  

    The CBN To Promote A Cashless Society

    Unless legislation is put in place and implemented to prevent/regulate them, Governing bodies and others with interest would theoretically have access to enormous amounts of consumer data. Such consumer data would include these entities knowing what you purchase, consume, pay for and so on. With this knowledge, you can be prompted into specific consumer/citizen behaviours.

    Access to financial infrastructure and technology literacy is essential now.

    On a positive note, going cashless brings about more efficient accounting as you can go back and track your expenses and income. Accountants can use world-class tools to get their job done. Many services can be streamlined, and so on. However, for a cashless society to function, people in rural areas and less accessible parts of the country must have access to the needed financial infrastructure, including technology literacy. 

    Since the development of cashless payment methods, traders do not need to transport cash bulk when travelling to purchase goods. This has significantly reduced armed robbery rates on the expressway and travel routes. 

    But about 45% of Nigerian Adults still need to own a bank account. 

    Who Suffers The dilemma Of The Nigerian Currency Redesign?

    For those that live in financially serviced areas like Victoria Island, Lekki in Lagos and such areas around the country, the Nigerian currency redesign is less impactful. Banks are around the corner, and the network is often good enough for cashless payments if they do not dispense cash. Also, residents can pay for essentials using cashless methods since many businesses in that area all have these options. Unlike those living in areas with poor financial services. 

    Let us explain so that you clearly understand what is happening to many. The issue is not poverty. Years before this current Nigeria currency redesign, many areas needed a physical bank. This is usual since Nigeria must leap-frog development like many African countries. This approach is necessary to catch up with the global space. Investments in physical banks were suppressed for investments in digital technology to propel FinTech. Many banks have apps. So you can transfer and make payments. But here is the catch. 

    You need internet data and you have to be literate enough to access these Bank apps/smartphones. That aside, for those who want to buy a handful of tomatoes or snacks for school quickly, you do not expect them to pay cashless, do you? The market woman and hawkers do not have a POS; if they did, it might only work sometimes due to network issues. 

    Thwarting the chances of vote-buying

    There have been so many speculations as to why the government chose to redesign the currency prior to the upcoming presidential and state elections, February and March 2023. Some say the timing was wrong, but others feel it is good to purge corruption and forecasted vote-buying since a high amount of cash has been hoarded over the years. 

    Current issues before the Nigerian presidential election 

    1. People cannot withdraw cash due to mismanagements around the Nigeria currency redesign. 
    2. Payments and transfers are not always accessible or functional. Payment may delay up to 30 minutes; therefore, more time is spent on the mundane activity. 
    3. Massive hike in the prices of fuels and fuel scarcity has resulted in very long queues. 
    4. There is confusion amongst buyers and sellers as many are unsure when to stop accepting or paying with the old currency. 
    5. People are unable to make petty purchases due to payment limitations. Many are forced to make bulk purchases, creating an artificial hoarding.
    6. The country also faces a foreign exchange shortage, making it difficult for businesses to import essential goods (*In the first place, essential goods should not be imported).

    Nigeria is facing a number of serious crises that are affecting the country in multiple ways. Addressing these challenges will require a coordinated and sustained effort by the government, civil society, and the international community.

    Nigeria's Currency Redesign

    4 Major New Development To Get Ready For

    As an entrepreneurship platform, we do not hear “problems” and fall down flat, overwhelmed. We think of solutions. Look at Nigeria’s current issues and the potential solutions you can create. Let us highlight a few areas to focus on in the future:

    1. Nigeria will be compelled to make its telecom and internet infrastructure function.  
    2. Many people will be mobilised to join the financial technology ecosystem with more people owning bank accounts and digital payment accounts. 
    3. With the Telecom infrastructure grounded, more digital services will emerge in health, education and many other sectors. 
    4. With the emergence of these new services, a new kind of education to make users fit for the cashless and digital ecosystem must also be developed. 

    These are already massive sectors where you, as an entrepreneur, can start developing solutions. In the interview, Tunde Obadero from Zitra Investment advocates that the Nigerian financial landscape needs to be made more democratic, and the time is now! 

    The Supreme Court has suspended the banknote deadline. Please keep yourself updated.

    Management, planning And Accountability Are Vital.

     We should know that the cashier at the entrance or at the desk does not have the decisive power to disseminate funds. The problem must be addressed from the top, which is the CBN which is to be considered a parastatal of the Nigerian government. But remember, the EFCC caught banks hoarding the new notes in vaults rather than dispersing them into ATMs. 

    In conclusion, for whatever reason that has led to the redesign of the currency, one thing remains a fact and clear. The government authorities responsible had demonstrated incapability to manage the transition to a new currency design. With a nation of over 210 million people, poor infrastructure and a communication system, authorities cannot expect the change to happen within 2 months. 

    Every entrepreneur venturing into the Nigerian market must consider the impact of failed management on the proposed venture and ways to mitigate these. These extraordinary opportunities available in the Nigerian ecosystem only come when proper planning, administration and accountability exist. 

    Stay Connected To As We Develop Impactful Content For You. 

    We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    10 Best Crowdfunding Platforms To Raise Funds For Projects

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    10 Best Crowdfunding Platforms To Raise Funds For Projects

    This blog article will explore how you can use crowdfunding to launch your business idea or project. Before we delve into the nitty gritty of crowdfunding, let’s understand what it means. According to Wikipedia, Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising money from a large number of people, typically via the internet. Crowdfunding is a form of crowdsourcing and alternative finance. 

    Crowdfunding is a donation revenue model.

    Even when crowdfunding is closely connected or said to be done with the internet, many African entrepreneurs have utilized this strategy long ago. Remember that your grandmother’s Osusu groups? It is very similar. The difference here is that you do not expect to get your money back as the donor, nor do you pay the money back as the receptor. 

    In 2015, over US$34 billion was raised worldwide by crowdfunding.

    Wikipedia

    For crowdfunding to happen, there has to be a reason to donate. Reasons can be either personal or entrepreneurial. Say you want to start an art project like releasing a music single. You need financial support. What you can do it to find a suitable crowdfunding platform and create a project profile. Afterwards, you will promote the profile to people who might donate. People donate because they want to support and believe in your proposed project. 

    They contribute if the perks are attractive.

    Are your perks attractive?

    Crowdfunding Strategy and Platforms

    What are crowdfunding perks?

    Perks are the reward you get for donating. The perk model has diversified from traditional reward-based to equity perks over the years. Some say debt perks are a type of reward under crowdfunding, but if you have to pay back in cash and maybe with low interest, it is not crowdfunding anymore, but crowd investment. These two are very different, so you should be cautious. In another article, we will explore crowd investing. Get our Joadre tribe app to stay notified when we release this article. 

    A classic reward-based perk you can offer is a free download link for the new music album you released (this is if the music is sold). If the piece is to be published for free listening, like on Youtube or Spotify, you should create more exciting perks for your crowd, like merchandise. Merch includes branded products such as unique edition T-shirts, mugs, exclusive signed albums and such. 

    Go a significant step further to offer creative perks like a private concert, crowd funders exclusive premiere and such. Also, end credits in products, especially digital media products, are attractive for many to donate. Remember, though, that these platforms take a percentage for their services. Be sure to check all the fine prints. Some might only let you cash out if you reach your intended goal. Now allows us to take a quick look at some crowdfunding platforms. 

    Top 9 List of crowdfunding platform six software

    1. Kickstarter
    2. Indiegogo 
    3. Crowdsupply
    4. Mightycause
    5. GoFundme
    6. Patreon
    7. GiveForward
    8. Startnext 
    9. Crowdfunder
    10. FundRazr

    Crowdfunding platforms & software

    There are over 1000 (yes, one thousand) crowdfunding platforms to choose from, depending on what you want. We have checked out a few, and here is what we think. Not all of them are purely crowdfunding. Many are crowd investments and the like, be cautious. Here are our top 10 platforms and software. 

    Kickstarter: It’s where creators share new visions for creative work with the communities that will come together to fund them. 

    Indiegogo: The community has helped bring more than 800,000 innovative ideas to life. From live campaigns to ready-to-ship tech, curious humans rely on Indiegogo to find the latest innovations in tech and design.

    Crowdsupply: Our mission is to bring original, useful, respectful hardware to life. We help creators launch with the funding and support (mentorship-like) they need to deliver thoughtfully crafted products to delighted backers. 

    Mightycause: Mightycause is online fundraising software for empowering nonprofits, people, and the causes they believe in.

    GoFundme: At GoFundMe, we empower individuals and charities to turn compassion into action. Because that is how change happens.

    Patreon: Patreon powers membership businesses for creators by giving them the tools they need to acquire, manage and energize their paying patrons. 

    GiveForward: It was an online fundraising tool designed to help people raise money for the causes and organizations that they care about. 

    Startnext: Start Next is the largest crowdfunding community for creative and sustainable ideas, projects and startups in German-speaking countries.

    Crowdfunder: Connect projects that matter with people who care.

    FundRazr – A free crowdfunding and online fundraising platform released in 2009. 

    Your best strategy

    1. Prepare a pitch like you want to pitch your idea to a bank or investor. 
    2. Have all your write-up ready. 
    3. Find the platform that works best for your target audience, the region, the currency accepted, the terms etc. 
    4. Be sure you can develop the project based on the minimum amount you set to receive. 
    5. Design your perks before you launch a crowdfunding campaign. 
    6. Launch your crowdfunding campaign. 

    Remember, apart from the money you raise, one great advantage of crowdfunding is that you get to test the acceptance of your product/idea and have already started marketing your product or idea. Can you go for it as an African entrepreneur? Yes, absolutely. So no cash is not an excuse anymore!

    Click to find more content on funding at Joadre platform.  

    Remember to connect and stay connected. 

    We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Tel a friebnd to tell a friend about Joadre. We want to grow our community to bring you truly tailored content to develop your idea. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    Badagry Slave Barracoon | A Journey Through The Dark Heritage of EnSlavement.

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    Badagry Slave Barracoon | A Journey Through The Dark Heritage of EnSlavement.

    Situated in the southwestern part of Nigeria and bordering the Benin Republic, Badagry was created around 1425 AD. This place shares history with many coastal west African towns as they played significant roles in trade with Europeans in the early centuries. As you drive into the town, a Brazilian-architectured red-white house is evidence of this town’s connection to the Americas.

    A majestic male sculpture stands in the middle of the roundabout. This sculpture of a muscular build wears a fishers hat, a cloth tied around his waist, with hands casting a fishers net into the air. It is a sight meant to preserve this particular part of the town’s history. Badagry people were fishers as well as farmers and salt-makers. 

    Before the enslavement era, kingdoms lay connected with culture, trade, indigenous lifestyle and, of course, manageable lineage disputes. These kingdoms, which had existed before the Europeans, fell as an aftermath of the early globalisation and events related to transatlantic slavery. 

    Seriki Williams Abass Slave Barracoon 

    We meet Cafcas Abbas, a tour guide with a direct lineage to Seriki Williams Abass. He takes us to the first location – Seriki Williams Abass home, where many relics, including his grave, are preserved. According to him, Brazillian Slave merchants constructed this Slave cell around 1840, using it to keep dozens of captives for up to 120 days. In 2003, this construction was declared a National Monument.

    Displayed are chains of different sizes, for children, for those labelled weak and larger chains, called “heavy chains”, for the stronger captives. Most prisoners died due to heat and illness, as there was only one mediocre square opening at the higher part of one wall, about 40cm wide, safeguarded by about six iron rods to serve as ventilation. They had a metal bucket and another large ceramic jar to serve as a toilet—the rest you can imagine. We covered a more detailed article in our upcoming digital magazine, EBIZ found in our TRIBE app. 

    Badagary: 40 souls for a jacquard umbrella. 

    At the entrance to the Salve cell stood an umbrella. It did not seem regular, so I asked our guide more about it. He explained how this good was used as means of exchange during the trade era. The umbrella was not regular. It was massive but old, made of goldish and purple jacquard mixed with golden embroidered flowers, with a robust wooden pole in the middle. The top of the wooden bar had a brass casing that served to beautify it. This piece of handwork was worth 40 human souls. 

    Mobee museum badary
    Mobee Museum, Copyright Joadre 2021

    Mobee Museum in Badagry.

    Barely well kept, the museum consists of a room where the relics of slavery consist of shackles, licks and chains. An iron bowl-like piece, claimed to originate from the trade era, was used to provide water to the enslaved people. The family name Mobee is said to have been adopted by European traders since they found it challenging to pronounce the family name of the host but could pick that word of his he mentioned during prayers. The family has kept the name since then. 

    As demand grew, so did unrest in Badagry. 

    The enslavement trade led to the desolation of the villages around the coast as people fled for safety into the inner part of the lands. However, this did not stop the trade as raids and warfare increased, for the transaction could not be developed based on those sold away for crimes or payment of debts. Since more captives needed to be sold away, an active dissolution of communities, towns and villages began. Raids and wars were necessary to deliver prisoners, which would then be sold to slave traders or used multiple times as a currency exchange. Being the form of exchange that could accumulate capital outside Africa. 

    The ocean separated life and death – The point of no return.

     Many believed that the sea separated life and death. In a sense, they were correct, as many relatives captured, sold and taken on board the ocean never returned. They journey by foot from the barracoons through to the attenuation well. At the “Attenuation well”, a concoction was served to the captives to make them powerless and disoriented. More in our app as an article in our Ebiz and a mini-documentary coming soon in JoadreTRIBE app.

    Connect with us, and get our app.

    Our Joadre organisation runs a film production branch which aims to connect African filmmakers with their European counterparts to develop projects that cut through the shared historical experiences of both continents. Alongside our film production, we created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    How To Find Great Business Ideas From Within

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    How To Find Great Business Ideas From Within

    Today, it’s called Design thinking. But from the beginning of our human existence, we have always interacted deep within our tribe to find their needs and create a solution that fits that very need. As we merge into a translucent global tribe, that approach tends to fade. One product must serve every tribe, and every tribe must need the same thing. 

    We must move towards design thinking to find unique and great business ideas. This article explores the basic steps to crafting excellent business ideas that help the consumers it is intended for. 

    Channel your challenge to birth solutions & great business ideas.

    When we face challenges, we crave answers, signs, coincidences, breakthroughs or simple light in e tunnel. However, you want to call it. It is our desire for that which is more than the mundane life that motivates us to become. So when we turn to our entrepreneurial life, why do we not explore these patterns to find great business ideas? When you feel the pain of a particular challenge, write it down. 

    Begin to ponder this challenge, dismantling its parts into small pieces you can comprehend. Then answer the big question: How would you solve it. The process of dismantling your challenges or problems makes you understand them better. You know the situation so well that you can define it. 

    Find your tribe to create great business ideas.

    Now that you understand this problem and are beginning to brainstorm ideas to solve it, make sure you do not limit yourself to only what you know. Identify the individuals or organisations that may face the same problem or profit from a possible solution. When you have identified them, move to connect with them. If you want great business ideas, you must take great steps. 

    Present the problem and dismantle the pieces. 

    When you meet this audience through a one-on-one meeting or group session, gather their thoughts and accept feedback. Then ask for solutions or what they would rather have instead of the problem. Ask how they would solve this problem. Share your solution ideas. Have multiple ideas. Let people be open to sharing their critical and “bad” ideas because that is how you can develop a great business idea. Great ideas come from bad ones!

    Take a break to self-reflect. 

    Set aside time to meditate and connect deeply with yourself. If you practice any of the world’s religions, you are taught to wallow in the fellowship of your brethren. Still, even the prophets and spiritual leaders at the centre of these religions spent much time alone. We will explore “fellowship” as a collaboration tool to find ideas in future blog articles. But let’s explore the power of self. Community and collaboration are essential, but you have to know who you are and what you crave to create and have the motivation and self-inspiration to create that which is authentic. Meditate in your way. Find your answer to what exact desire your longing wants to still.

    Make time to ponder your solution solutions. 

    Stop looking outside for a minute. To be able to create something unique, you must feel unique. How can you feel special when you continuously compare and wish for the things you do not have? You will always feel a void and emptiness. Great ideas rarely come from the void and empty mind. Even these 35+ business ideas we discuss in our FREE Class are to give you a framework. You are expected to reinvent them to suit your space. So to create something unique, find some quiet time to ponder the solutions you have gathered. You will have some great business ideas you want to start when you are done. 

    The following steps will be to create a plan, find a network or partners and funds and launch. In our curricula for students and savvy entrepreneurs, we explore in depth how to find your business idea and niche, taking you to step by step through the launching process. 

    Connect with us, and get our app.

    Our Joadre organisation runs a film production branch and a digital one-stop incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    Professional Service Industry In Nigeria | An Overview

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    Professional Service Industry In Nigeria | An Overview

    In Nigeria, the professional service industry refers to a broad range of economic activities carried out by professionals or professional organisations. Businesses, talents, skills training, business schools, and professional organisations are all included in this broad category. Accounting, advertising, graphic design, and legal assistance are all services provided by professional service businesses. Professional service sectors offer services similar to those supplied by other industries; however, professional services are often highly specialised, necessitating a higher degree of training and experience.

    The professional service business is an important economic activity in Nigeria, with professional services being indirectly tied to various sectors of the economy, including manufacturing. Although Nigeria has many professional service providers, the industry has been underestimated and underinvested. This highly dynamic market has a high turnover rate, minimal entry barriers, significant development potential, and a high need for highly trained and educated people.

    Contribution to the Economy – GDP

    According to a Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission report, services make up 53 per cent of Nigeria’s gross domestic product. Trade (16%), information and communication (12%), real estate (6%), professional, scientific and technical services (4%), and financial and insurance services (3%) are the top contributing services activities. Because most of the population lives in cities, the service industry is heavily concentrated there. Furthermore, the service industry includes traditional professional services and services provided to the general public by hotels, restaurants, banks, insurance firms, and numerous administrative agencies.

    Ministry in Charge of Professional Service Industry

    Due to the variety of the professional service industry, many ministries and organisations have been entrusted with promoting their operations. The ministries include the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Health, and other regulatory and management agencies such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Medical Association, Nigerian Bar Association, and others.

    Top Leading Professional Service Industries in Nigeria

    In Nigeria, all professional service businesses are performing very well. Some people, though, are doing better than others. They’re known as the “hot cake.” Accounting, auditing, and tax services, legal services, fashion design, fitness services, advertising agencies, architectural services, and facilities engineering or maintenance firms are some of these professional businesses. If you already have skills in this industry, this is the time to develop your own services or enhance existing services to make them meet global standards. 

    Connect with us, and get our app.

    We created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students and savvy entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    Start A Low-Capital Business With Vocational Skills

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    Start A Low-Capital Business With Vocational Skills

    In this article, I want to guide you through the first steps to starting a low-capital business from the vocational skills you have acquired. Suppose you want to start as a side business or venture fully into this new business; here are the basic things you need to do now to make money from your ideas. 

    Explore ideas in our app. 

    If you don’t know what business idea to start, please visit our JoadreTRIBE app to find some ideas. In the app, under ideas, we listed many ideas anyone can develop into a low-capital business. If you are unsure what you really like, use our “WHY” tool to learn more about yourself and the potential business that will fit you. So let us dive into today’s article. First, I will list nine different sectors that are not capital-intensive. Afterwards, we will look at the basic things you need to do, irrespective of the business sector. 

    9 low-capital business sectors from vocational training.

    1. Fashion & Textile 
    2. Photography
    3. Makeup and Mask
    4. Skincare & Cosmetology
    5. Hairdressing & Barbering
    6. Carpentry and Woodwork
    7. Art & Craft  
    8. Nutrition & Fitness
    9. Videography & Film

    I assume you already have a product or service, meaning a concrete idea in which you want to start a business. If you do not have a tangible product or service, please, take the time to develop one. In other app tutorials, we will release training videos this year that shows you how to create a product. Make sure to have our app. Now you have a product (service), the next thing to do is to understand the market sector. 

    Understand the market before you start.

    Understanding the market sector is the most crucial. What do I mean? You have to know who is offering what, who are they offering it to, and what kind of products or services is being offered. What exactly do the customers want, and what value can you add to the sector? If you want to earn money from what you offer, you must take this research seriously. 

    Market research can be done through simple online research. Ask Google! Type in what it is you want to offer for which location. For example, you just finished vocational training in sewing, so your market sector is in the textile industry. It might be the fashion or home textile interior decoration sector. Identify this. Depending on where you are, that region is your first market location. So if you live in Abuja and learned sewing, your market is the fashion industry in Abuja. 

    Identify your client base. 

    By identifying your concrete market, you can narrow down to know who you want to target. Go further to find out who your potential customers are. Remember that if you need more information, you can go the traditional way and walk the streets to find out who the major sewing companies are, what they offer and who they offer it to. Now that you have gathered all this information, go further to concretely identify the kind of clients you want to serve. Learn more in this blog about understanding the customers. 

    Do you want to sew for males, females, or children? If it is for males, what do they do? What can they pay for sewing an outfit? What kind of outfits do they want? Can you get the needed supplies to offer your products or services properly? Who would you buy your supplies from? All these questions must be answered and written down. You can look at our business planning article to get deeper into developing this aspect. 

    Adapt and refine your product and services. 

    Now that you have a basic understanding of the market, what about your product? Does your existing product or service fit the demands and needs of the market? Would your product provide added value for the customer? If it would identify the concrete values it offers and capture them in black and white. You will need this knowledge later during promotional activities. 

    If your product does not serve this market properly, you can adapt your product. Product adaptation is so crucial to selling more. Find out product reviews of existing products. If it is online, you can check popular selling sites to see the kind of reviews customers leave, both positive and negative. Of course, ensure your product or service covers the positive reviews and offers a better solution to counter the negatives. If you need help finding information, do it the traditional way, talk to people, ask, visit those offering products already and judge for yourself. 

    Establish your basic legal setup for a low-capital business idea. 

    Too often, people start a business without actually starting one. In today’s society, if you have a proper setup, your business does not exist. You might be scared of the financial investment needed, but often it is a little. Find some essential legal advice relating to registering a business in your region. Many regions have a minimum registration process, like in Nigeria, you can register just a business name which would cost less than 40k Naira. 

    To register a business name, you must decide what the name is, an address, telephone number, and email. You have to determine what your brand name would be. It can be the same as your business name, depending on your product or service. If you offer a tangible product like cosmetics, shoes etc., you might want people to remember your brand, so you will need a recognisable and easy-to-remember brand name. After choosing one, you have the option to trademark it. If you cannot ford this for now, simply send yourself an email with the brand name as proof that you thought about it. 

    A crucial tip for the brand name.

    But before you conclude on a brand name, check the trademark office to see if that name is taken or is available. Also, check the domain register online to see if that name is available. YOu do not want to have a brand name or print packaging and realise you cannot use it because someone else already owns it. After you have done all these, make sure to open a bank account solely for your business in your business registered name (not in your brand name if it is different from the registered business name). You might need a referee to have a business account, so find at least two. 

    These are just a few steps any business in these sectors above would need. Staring a low-capital business is easy; you simply have to do the work. We published a few opportunities for you to get funds to start your business, but remember, most funds, be it a loan, investment or grant, would require that you set up and have a business plan. In future training in our app, we will release a course on starting a low-capital business as a step-by-step guide from vocational skills to the actual launch. I wish you good luck on this entrepreneurial journey. 

    Connect with us, and get our app.

    Our Joadre organisation runs a film production branch which aims to connect African filmmakers with their European counterparts to develop projects that cut through the shared historical experiences of both continents. Alongside our film production, we created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    4 Funds For SMEs & African Diaspora

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    4 Funds For SMEs & African Diaspora

    In today’s society, starting a project or business idea is almost impossible without funds. The less risky way to start would be that you have your own cash saved up. Less challenging in the sense that you can sleep peacefully at night and not have to worry about debts. However, more is needed to guarantee success. Especially if it is your savings, you must plan and implement your idea correctly to make it successful. 

    In this article, we will look at several funding opportunities African SMEs can access and African diasporas looking to partner with entrepreneurs on the ground. Let us explore these four funds, and later, I will share my personal experience with you. 

    4 funds to look into to develop your idea 

    1. Getty Image Grant Program
    2. GTB Loans for Small Businesses
    3. YouWiN! Connect
    4. African Women’s Development fund

    Getty Image Grant Program

    These are funds available for those in the creative industry. If you have not heard about Getty images, here is who they are, and iStock is no different; Getty Images Holdings, Inc. is an American visual media company and is a supplier of stock images, editorial photography, video and music for business and consumers, with a library of over 477 million assets. 

    It targets three markets—creative professionals, the media, and corporate. One thing to recognize here is that this is a grant, not a loan. Click to learn more about grants. These grants operate per call, meaning Getty image has a circle where they open the grant for submission and provide a deadline. After this deadline, the judging process begins. The call is then closed till the next circle. Check this link frequently to see when the next call is open and to apply – check for a grant call

    The program has 2 types – Creative and Editorial grants. 

    • Creative Grant: Through Getty image creative grants, both Getty Images and iStock support and nurture emerging talent with the financial freedom to pursue projects of personal and commercial significance.
    • Editorial grants: Getty Images editorial grants have supported independent photojournalists worldwide, providing vital financial resources to ensure they can continue to capture visuals that inform and inspire. 

    You can learn more about the grant here. The program offers different prices as grants starting from $5,000 US to $10,000 US. Here are the major requirements: 

    • Links to an existing portfolio of work online 
    • The submission must include a 200‑500 word project proposal summary.
    • A short biography detailing who you are and what you’ve done 
    • The applications must be in English 
    • All submissions must be digital. 

    GTB Loans for Small Businesses

    Now let us explore a few loans from a bank in Nigeria – Guaranty Trust Bank PLC, abbreviated as GTBank. GTB has a portfolio of loan services like an international bank. It also has SME-tailored products, which is the focus of this article.

    GTB Soft/Quick Loan

    Targeted at low-income customers, the GTB Soft Loans allow customers to enjoy a more extended payment deadline and low-interest rates compared to the norm in the country. The grace period is between 6 – 12 months and eligible applicants can pay in equal monthly instalments. 

    GTB Overdraft Service For Small businesses

    This line of credit allows a customer to write cheques for more than the actual balance on the account with a finance charge on the excess. It is an “open credit” which can be used repeatedly until the balance on the account reaches a certain pre-arranged limit with a specific repayment date, usually one year. The aim of this service for small businesses is to help provide working capital to run day-to-day operations. Businesses can access funds quickly, from as small as 250k to 10 million, depending on the eligibility. 

    Remember that you have your business correctly set up. Outstanding debts with other banks do not affect eligibility; you get a low interest of around 1.3%. Of course, like any other loan institution, you must have your records right because banks would do due diligence. They want to be able to estimate if you can pay back that loan. Part of this due diligence would involve checking your account history and your earnings. Click to learn more about this overdraft service for SMEs. 

    Other GTB small business loans that could serve as funds to develop your business include the tailored Fashion Industry Credit and the Food Industry Credit. You can get up to 5 million Naira for the Fashion Industry Credit. Find requirements, how to apply, FAQ and more information directly from the source/loan institution here – Click Fashion Industry Credit. You can get up to 2 million Naira for the Food Industry Credit. Find requirements, how to apply, FAQ and more information directly from the source/loan institution here – Click Food Industry Credit. 

    You get a single-digit interest rate with both and enjoy a flexible repayment plan. Remember that this is not a private loan. It is a loan for your business entity which must be registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission. Some significant requirements include the following; 

    • Business should be at least 1 (one) year.
    • Your business must have a clean Credit Bureau Report with no unpaid obligations.
    • Also, your business must have a satisfactory CRMS report of owners, sponsors and directors.

    For everything about personal loans from GTB – https://www.gtbank.com/personal-banking/loans

    YouWiN! Connect

    YouWiN! Connect is a Nigerian Federal Ministry of Finance media enterprise education programme designed to assist entrepreneurs in starting, planning and growing their businesses. YouWin! is an acronym for Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria. This initiative is aimed at tackling the country’s unemployment rate and was launched in 2011. The fund granted by YouWin! is an equity contribution to the business of selected awardees. The initial idea to provide equity funds for MSME is redesigned to a multi-media enterprise education initiative to provide the tools and skills. Unfortunately, it seems to need a functional digital presence. Visit this page to see for yourself – YouWiN! Connect website.

    Our research team could not find substantial information about this program but included it in this article because there are sporadic opportunities for application. Major eligibility criteria include that applicant must;

    • Be a Nigerian entrepreneur residing in the country.
    • Be a Nigerian citizen no older than 45 years (proof of identity: International passport/Drivers License/National ID/Voters card required)
    • have graduated from a higher institution (post-secondary school qualification)
    • Not be a civil servant.
    • Be able to attend all the training.
    • Have proficiency in English language for communication
    • Run your business in Nigeria
    • Be between the ages of 18-40
    • Have the intention of employing Nigerian citizens
    • Prepare an innovative business concept and summary. This is where a business plan comes in handy, and make sure to include these 10 things in your concept.

    It is also essential to state that any proposed venture must not entail the production or distribution of weapons, alcoholic beverages, tobacco or/and gambling, or any activities contradicting the Nigerian constitution. 

    African Women’s Development fund

    It is impossible to leave you without a section dedicated to our female entrepreneurs out there. So here is one! A pan-African female-only grant-making organization that strives to support women’s rights and women-led organizations on the continent. The fund provides grants to organizations tackling the issues of body and health rights, women’s economic security and justice, leadership, participation, and peace. Prize money is unspecified. However, since inception, the fund has given out $41.8 million US dollars.

    Eligibility

    • It must be led by a woman and have the majority of its staff and board being women
    • Must be duly registered in an African country
    • Must have been in existence for at least 3 years
    • Must have the needed organizational structures for effective implementation of the project
    • Must have an appreciable financial management system to properly account for funds received
    • Must be capable of reporting back on the outcomes of the project
    • Must complete the necessary application forms

    Find out more and know to apply for this grant – AWDF.

    Here is an idea of how diasporas can explore this opportunity. 

    When I started my first venture in Nigeria, I needed to have all the funds I needed. I had a partner in Lagos. Funny enough, my partner needed to figure out where to get grants, loans or investments in Nigeria. She kept saying there was no money and nobody to help. The mere word “help” reflected ignorance about raising funds for ideas. 

    You intend to run a business, not a charity, so you must prepare your stuff. You need to set up your idea correctly. Set up as a business entity, pay your tax, do all registrations, plan, and prepare a proposal. These are the basics. Find out details on how to set up your idea in future blogs and on our JoadreTRIBE app. Make sure to register for our newsletter or join the app now. 

    As a diaspora who has spent several years raising funds in Europe, I know the minimum it would require. So, we spent the first 6 months developing her setup. It could have taken us 5 weeks, but let us leave that topic for another article! As soon as her idea was set up, I was ready to partner with her. So we raised funds both locally and internationally needed for the project. 

    As a diaspora abroad, you can support ventures in Africa to set up and guide them towards raising funds from within. Guidance is a mentoring process where you can show them how to develop management and accountability structures. This does not only benefit them but also you in the long term.   

    Connect with us, and get our app.

    Our Joadre organization runs a film production branch which aims to connect African filmmakers with their European counterparts to develop projects that cut through the shared historical experiences of both continents. Alongside our film production, we created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app is available here at https://tribe.joadre.com. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    Nollywood & Nigeria’s Media Industry | Intro

    Joadre Editorial
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    Nollywood & Nigeria’s Media Industry | Intro

    In this rather data-packed article, we shall explore Nigeria’s media industry, which also encompasses Nollywood. Nigeria’s media and digital economy have two significant sectors: media and entertainment. The media industry includes enterprises such as broadcasting, news, publishing, and entertainment that create, distribute, and sell the material, particularly news, video, and music, to media outlets, entertainment corporations, and people. In a nutshell, it refers to the companies and industries involved in digitally creating, distributing, and selling information or content. 

    Everything Media is the media industry in Nigeria!

    In addition, it encompasses film production and broadcasting, online media advertising and digital marketing, radio and television networks, and the telecommunications industry, including mobile networks and the internet. Like in any other country, the media sector in Nigeria covers a broad spectrum of services. 

    Nigeria Becoming the fastest growing Media & Digital Industry

    It’s worth noting that Nigeria is the first African country with a population of over 210 million and the largest and fastest-growing market for the digital and media industries. The Nigerian media and digital business are one of the world’s fastest-expanding economic sectors. According to PwC’s Global entertainment and media outlook 2017 -2021 Nigeria will be the world’s fastest-growing E&M market over the next five years, with a 12.1 per cent CAGR (despite being heavily driven by increasing expenditure on mobile Internet connection), while Japan will be the slowest-growing, with a 1.7 per cent CAGR. 

    Future forecast by experts in the industry

    Internet video will expand at an 11.6 per cent CAGR over the next five years, while music streaming will rise at a 20.7 per cent CAGR. It is also estimated that between now and 2025, Nigeria’s media and digital (entertainment) industry will earn up to $14.8bn from its present revenue of $7.7b. Its high growth can be attributed to the fast growth of Internet usage (85%), and growth in the number of cell phones.

    For almost a decade, the ICT industry has continuously contributed more than 10% of Nigeria’s GDP, with the telecommunications sector alone providing 12.45% of GDP in the fourth quarter of 2020. Furthermore, according to a report titled ‘Digital ID in Nigeria: State of the Industry,’ which was co-sponsored by digital identity technology firm VerifyMe Nigeria and global consulting firm Dalberg Advisors, Nigeria’s progressive shift toward digital identities is capable of contributing 7% in real GDP to the economy by 2030. The digital economy (information technology industry) generated around 18% of GDP in the second quarter of 2021, according to the 33-page research, which is the first independent evaluation of the sector.

    How Nollywood is driving Nigeria’s media industry

    Film-making in Nigeria is mainly divided along regional and marginally ethnic and religious lines. Before the digital age dawned on the world, Nigeria produced films on VHS cassette back in the late 90ties, which later moved to DVDs. As the DVD era saw heavy pirating in the east, many filmmakers embraced the launch of several cinemas around the country. Nigerians enjoy storytelling and cannot resist watching stories they can identify with. With the advent of digital technology, many people in Nigeria are becoming incredibly connected to global events and history. 

    A couple of years ago, Netflix entered the Nigerian market with new film standards that are changing the industry’s dynamic for some. Following Netflix is Amazon prime, which has seized 2022 onwards to compete with Netflix. However, before the entry of Netflix and co., Irokotv offered classic Nollywood films alongside a good number of television channels and programs providing similar. The Nigerian movie industry is diverse in terms of style, quality, storytelling approach and resources. There is a strong demand for authentic and African-driven narratives. 

    Ministry in Charge

    Nigeria’s media and digital industries are managed by several ministries and bodies. The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is in charge of radio and television networks, telecommunications, mobile networks, and the internet. The Ministry of Information and Culture is in charge of broadcasting and film production. The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) are among the other bodies in charge of the industry.

    Connect with us, and get our app.

    Our Joadre organisation runs a film production branch which aims to connect African filmmakers with their European counterparts to develop projects that cut through the shared historical experiences of both continents. Alongside our film production, we created our one-stop digital incubator app to bridge knowledge and service discrepancies for African students looking to start a business. Get the app (Android version) here. Sign up for our newsletter here to get consistent resources via email. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    How To Innovate Education In Nigeria | Pt. 7

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    How To Innovate Education In Nigeria | Pt. 7

    Have you wondered how we can innovate solutions to revive Education in Nigeria? We have spent time working on this question. But before we delve into this rather lengthy article, let me take you back to the first 6 parts of this blog series to give some context. Please take the time to read through and remember to share your thoughts with us. 

    We have been evaluating the current status of the educational system in Nigeria. In Part 1, we had an overview of the Nigerian education system. Part 2, discussed the indigenous education system. We reviewed the Islamic/religious education system in part 3 . In parts 4 & 5, we delved into the formal education system. Part 6 focused on tertiary Education in Nigeria. 

    In this final part, we will look at the opportunities and possible innovations needed to overcome some of the challenges facing the educational system in Nigeria. Shall we?

    The Nigerian Education Status Quo.

    Nigeria needs to catch up to other nations of the world due to a non-intentional attitude to providing solutions to some of the problems beseeching the educational sector. For Nigeria to succeed, meaningful solutions to address the funding issue and reorientate parents/guidance and students towards achieving the goal of Education must be developed. 

    • Education must be more affordable, especially at the tertiary level, for all and sundry, by removing all monopolistic approaches to education/knowledge acquisition. 
    • Stakeholders must also encourage technical Education and innovation to rescue the nation from technological redundancy by funding innovations and research. 
    • The Nigerian status quo is defined by poor funding, poor educational infrastructure, paucity of qualified teachers and teaching aids like computers, laboratories and libraries. Still, thousands of passionate teachers and students are ready to innovate solutions to Nigeria’s educational problem. 

    China Turns Half Of Its Universities Into Technical Schools. 

    With a growing population of university graduates, all having similar academic degrees and ending up competing for the same job, China realises there is a need for innovation within its system. Already in 2014, the Chinese government recognised the need to transform about half of its public universities into applied learning or polytechnics to produce more technically trained graduates. 

    It Is Not Only China; Europe Is On The March!

    Building World Skills has become priority number one in many schools in western Europe today. Economic chambers in the west invest an enormous sum of money to help SMEs reorient themselves, adapt to the changing skill requirements and explore new approaches. Thons of trade fairs, exhibitions and conferences are organised to introduce new ideas to youths. 

    Established companies receive government incentives to promote apprenticeships within their firm. Every possibility is applied to make their nations fit for an uncertain future. This attitude demands a solid administrative and planning mentality. Unfortunately, this mentality needs to be included within the political and governance system and our private personal surroundings. That issue we will tackle in another article. 

    Expecting accountability is the first step to reinventing the educational system.

    Joadre

    Innovate With Knowledge Of Your History. 

    History helps people understand where they come from, so would understanding Nigeria’s history helps Nigeria know their journey. Remembering history enables you to avoid the same mistake. You can identify what has worked in the past and what failed. Knowing how Nigeria became Nigeria creates more appreciation for the nation’s existence. 

    With this grounded understanding, many youths gain confidence in their country. With this spirit, youths can dare innovate. This is confidence needed to demand from one’s own country. The more youths can request from Nigeria, the stronger accountability in Nigeria must become. Expecting accountability is the first step to reinventing the educational system. This solution is simple; Bring history back into the primary fundamental Education. 

    Education About Nigeria’s History Opens New Economic Sectors.

    Besides understanding history for national empowerment, history opens up cultural incentives that bring in tourism. Tourism is a crucial developmental sector for many western countries, especially those with very little or limited natural resources. 

    Finally, understanding Nigeria’s history will help the nation remember the diversity of economics the region once had. The idea that Nigeria continues capitalising on its oil as the major resource and export would change. A changing attitude towards this mentality will help create space for many other resources the nations possess to evolve. 

    Innovate Indigenous Knowledge To Further Its integration. 

    Education is the bedrock of development in all its forms, and Education can not only mean modern development. When humans discovered fire, I assume there was no bachelor’s degree in sustainable energy, nor were there universities like we know them today. However, humans developed the ability to master fire, leading to a diverse utilities like creating warmth, cooking etc. 

    This “mastering” the utility of fire was passed down from generation to generation, making it a vital form of Education. Today, Nigeria comprises many regions with their cultures and older ways of survival. Some practices advantageous to our current way of life can be researched, developed and brought into recent times. New standards can then be created as new study disciplines develop. Remember, literacy is only a part of Education, not the core of Education. 

    Innovate Education By Opening up To World Skills

    When we suggest that Education (all kinds of Education) is the bedrock of modern development, this means that it must at least evolve with time. Today World Skills have become more relevant than ever. World skills are occupational skills which are very important in achieving economic growth in any country. From primary schools to tertiary institutions in the country, everyone needs to integrate a strong model and approach towards offering World Skills. An accredited program must be developed around the country. 

    Let World Skills inspire participation, develop skills and influence industries.

    Joadre

    The core of this program is to inspire participation, develop skills and influence industries. However, there is a lot of catching up to do in Nigeria. A fast-tracked model will be to;

    • make independent programs attain a national standard. 
    • This national standard must be competitive with global standards. 
    • Schools with deficits must be provided ways to compensate, for example, through digital training and coaching, with open space practice and shared service infrastructure. 

    These are just a few incentives Nigeria needs to start working on now so that the next generation would stand a good chance of owning the space they live in. 

    Bridge The Knowledge Discrepancies For African students.

    There are so many possibilities to innovate Education in Africa as a continent. At Joadre, we have started our part. Many passionate educators are out there, and we are eager to connect with you all. We developed our JoadreTRIBE platform just for this purpose. To help bridge the knowledge discrepancies for African students. Mentors, coaches, educators, teachers, lecturers and, of course, the government can take the opportunity to create cutting-edge tools for students. Let’s conclude that Education is diverse and must evolve to become relevant to the development of the people consuming it. es

    That was it for this blog. You can learn more about Education in Nigeria in previous blogs on this topic. 

    Get our app, stay in touch, and let us help you develop your Ideas.

    We created our tailored all-in-one app to offer up-to-date knowledge, provide exposure for social entrepreneurs and offer coaching services. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app and IOS version are on their way; sign up for our newsletter here to know when it is out and get consistent resources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    New Year’s Resolution? Our Vision Continues in 2023!

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    New Year’s Resolution? Our Vision Continues in 2023!

    Happy New Year!!!

    Every year, we all like to make new resolutions. Do we actually remember these resolutions in March or in August? Some of us do not. That is why we are Joadre; we stay away from the hype of new years resolutions. Instead, we reflect on our past journey and direction for 2023. We have a vision. We were born with a purpose! 

    We stay with our vision and follow the mission!

    Our mission to empower African women has always been the core element of our being. Since the launch of our founder’s engagement in 2006 with the humanitarian organisation EXIT against human trafficking, our founder Joana has actively stood up for the rights of women and children. Throughout all her work, it has been about allowing vulnerable and disadvantaged groups to speak for themselves. 

    Early in 2014, the Joadre fashion project started as a way to use entrepreneurship to empower women in Nigeria. In 2020, the covid pandemic brought a new perspective for us to pursue our Vision in depth. We went digital with our education. Every week, unique blog content is published, reaching thousands of readers from Nigeria, Kenya, the US, the UK, Ghana, Uganda and South Africa. 

    Our App Will Change Education Forever!

    Our JoadreTRIBE app was developed through our passion for educating and bridging the know-how discrepancies between African Students and their peers worldwide. So in 2023, it is all about our tribe platform. We are rolling out big time with relevant educational content and edutainment VOD, supported by a mentoring system to help African students and Savvy entrepreneurs go global. 

    The 2023 journey will see much content production, where the new stars are Teachers. But we cannot do this all alone, so we invite you experts, business owners, government offices, and enthusiasts for social change to join us on this journey. Young people in Africa are hard-working and eager to design the life they love. 

    What are we looking for?

    We look for fashion, photography, videography, make-up, cosmetology, arts and crafts, Hare dressing, Carpentry, and Nutrition experts. Yes, these are the 9 sectors we are rolling out content for in 2023. We would also produce a few feature films and are happy to partner with European production companies looking to co-produce in Africa. Reach out to us as soon as you can using our contact form. 

    Sign up for our newsletter here and get consistent resources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    We wish you a happy new year and great inspiration throughout 2023!

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre Editorial Team

    Ending 2022 Blissful! Joadre Years Recap

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    Ending 2022 Blissful! Joadre Years Recap

    It would be a lie to say this year was not incredible for us at Joadre. However, we had our fair share of challenges. But we started this year so determined about the JoadreTribe app that we created it. After two years of research and development, we have it. Our app offers a one-stop platform for African students and Savvy entrepreneurs to develop their ideas using relevant information, coaching and accessible services. 

    The JoadreTribe app helps entrepreneurs understand the issues that impact their ecosystem from a global perspective and give them all they need to create their dreams. More is yet to come! Join the Joadre community at TRIBE.

    Topics we covered in 2022 on the Joadre Platform.

    The first part of the year kept us busy with our content development around starting business ideas such as our 6 part blog series on How To Start Your Laundry business, Affiliate marketing, Soap business, Cosmetics business, Food business and more. You can quickly launch or grow your business if you know how to get funds, so finding grants was a core topic this year, which we covered with several articles. 

    If fact, we have a funding list in our app! However, you must master the art of writing project reports to access grants. We also covered several issues vital to your personal development as an entrepreneur, from finding your Authentic self, Mindfulness to public speaking, networking, building equity and branding.

    Release of our first Joadre journal – FOCUS

    One thing we saw that needs to be improved in the business sector in Nigeria is the need for industry-specific journals. How can you build an industry or a great business without knowing the space within and outside Nigeria? This is a massive problem, and we have a solution. 

    Our Joadre journal is an industry-specific journal published quarterly to debate and analyse targeted industry sectors and topics in detail. We released our first edition, focusing on the fuels subsidy issue. In 2023, we will look closer into the manufacturing industry, the educational-vocational sector and the health sectors. 

    Spent time exploring education in Nigeria

    Undoubtedly, any economy that wants to thrive in our 21st century must revise its current educational strategy for its youth. Every day, the status quo of how things are done changes or evolves as diverse spaces intersect. But we also have a significant advantage now since the digital age allows information to flow faster and more accessible than ever. 

    Our major priority in 2023 will be to help English-speaking African countries accelerate education through revised curriculums and innovative teaching forms. More technical and entrepreneurial programs must be systematically integrated into all higher institutions. So we have a mission for the next season. We are delighted to partner with professors, lecturers, and experts from the practice, universities and governments to make this mission possible. Write to us at Joadre using our contact form for partnership. 

    Voices Uprising is our first feature on the Joadre platform. 

    In October 2020, a mass protest began in Nigeria against police brutality. However, behind this mass protest lies more issues originating even before 1950ties before the Nation Nigeria was created. It is 2022, and we have to find a vision forward. How would finding a vision forward work if we do not know where we are coming from? 

    In this Joadre Original piece, we explore not only the issues that led to the #endsars protest but also surrounding issues that plague the ideas of the nation – Nigeria. Visit our documentary film site to know when it will be released and where to watch it. Remember to share this film with people you feel need to see it. This film debuts the start of more feature documentaries and fictional films coming up on Joadre.

    Joadre Thrive – the business magazine

    Who else can better speak for themselves than the entrepreneurs themselves? We had so many beautiful interview sessions with people like Tunde Obadero from Zitra Investment, who took us deeper into Nigeria’s finance world, with Idris Mamukuyomi from Afriexporter whose export platform wants to empower African farmers, with Ngozi Ijimakinwa showing us that future lies in empowering our girl child and many others. You can watch the full interviews in the JoadreTribe app.

    Our all-in-one app and the features now. 

    Educational and entertainment content is available in audio, text and video formats. We are dedicated to relevant, up-to-date content that allows you to curate your curriculum. 

    The “service” bottom icon opens you up to several services you enjoy as tribe members, from data insights and downloadable templates to funding and many listings for business growth. Get the app (Android version) here on the Google play store. For IOS and other system users, a web app is available here – TRIBE. Sign up for our newsletter here and if you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre Editorial Team

    Start A Low-Capital Business In The Food Sector

    Joadre Editorial
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    Start A Low-Capital Business In The Food Sector

    Food is essential to our survival as human beings, so starting a business in the food industry will always be a great idea. However, what it boils down to is execution. In this article, we will explore how you can start your own business in the food sector with a focus on fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are often perceived to be healthy; hence you can leverage the benefits of the health sector. 

    Be clever with this low-capital business idea.

    Before you venture into this business, you must do critical background work. Fruits and vegetables have a short shelf life, so you want to understand them better. Start by educating yourself about the seasons of harvest in your region. This low-capital business is often a region-based venture. You might ask if people export fruits and vegetables; they do. But I guess you need a low-capital business; if so, a region-based approach is what we would focus on in this article. 

    To do: Make a calendar, so you know what is in season and when. A calendar would guide you towards your purchasing and planning. 

    Next on the list is to research your logistics. 

    How would you get these products to your storage? Would you have storage? Or are you going to venture into this sector differently, like being just the middle person? Being the middle person means you solely concentrate on distribution. You have access to logistics that bring these products from the farms to the stores. This is already a method to venture into this sector with the minimum. Let us look at the different ideas you can explore to start a very low-capital business in this food sector. 

    Process in small scale to sell – Marmalade & Pickle. 

    You will not rely on a complex storage facility if you process the fruits and vegetables. You can also get better prices if you purchase overripe products. The sellers want to get them out of storage as quickly as possible. But what can you process on a small scale? For fruits, you can process them into marmalades and spreads. For vegetables, you can process them into pickles. 

    Juice of all kinds and smoothies to go is a low-capital business option.

    Juice is made out of liquids in fruits or vegetables. More health-conscious consumers might even prefer smoothies, a blend that integrates some flesh of the produce. You can make your recipes and create a brand around this idea. More about how to start a fruit juice business part 1 and part 2 and here.

    Go beyond the traditional way: retail and beyond.

    Traditional retail demands that you buy in bulk, store and sell, which means you will need storage. However, there are other opportunities here. Our busy and fast-paced lifestyles have created a space for food delivery services. You can start a fruit delivery business, where you source fruits from reputable farms or groceries and deliver them to customers at a fee. You can offer packages and monthly subscriptions to schools, hotels, offices and more formal groups. 

    Basic requirements to start up a fruit and vegetable business

    1. Location: It is very feasible to start from the comfort of your home. You do not need to rent any space or shop. All you need is a good, clean space crafted for your business. 
    2. Storage: Get a new or fairly used fridge if you need to store the products. There are unique cooling systems to help you preserve fruits and vegetables longer. It would help if you educated yourself more about this. Remember, the power supply might not be consistent at your location. Suppose you need an inverter or a small solar battery to compensate for the power supply but cannot afford it. Consider setting up a mini-processing system to make marmalade from the overripe fruits and pickles from the vegetables. This way, you can extend the product’s shelf life without investing in a rigorous power supply. 
    3. Purchase: The largest market where you can get fruits and vegetables is Mile 12 market (for those in Lagos), and they are very affordable! For a start, N20-N25,000 worth of products or less is enough, as you have to ensure that you can sell them off within three days. Suppose you are away from Lagos, research where to purchase in bulk and at reasonable prices closest to you. You can also contact small farmers directly. Create your list and network of farmers to get the best produce. Purchasing high-quality products are crucial to developing a low-capital business. 
    4. Set-up: When you are all set and know where to get your products and what area you want to start in, it is time to develop a legal set-up and plan. Every business, no matter how small, needs a plan. Check out how to create a simple business plan for your idea. Under set-up, I will recommend you decide the name of your venture, the brand you want to build, the target customers and how you will reach these customers.

    Low-capital business idea in the food sector to start now.

    Fruits and vegetables are something people cannot do without. Starting as a low-capital business venture in this sector will demand you think critically. How do you want to start? Is it a delivery business? Do you want to process and sell? When you conclude on that, then plan. We cannot overemphasize why you need to plan, as planning will help you activate your power for success. 

    Get our app, stay in touch, and let us help you develop your Ideas.

    We created our tailored all-in-one app to offer up-to-date knowledge, provide exposure for social entrepreneurs and offer coaching services. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app and IOS version are on their way; sign up for our newsletter here to know when it is out and get consistent resources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre Editorial Team

    6 Sustainable Christmas Gifts Made In Nigeria

    Samuel Olawoyin
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    6 Sustainable Christmas Gifts Made In Nigeria

    Christmas is around the corner, and you’re busy shopping for gifts. Finding truly sustainable and unique things is hard, but you can still find those gifts in Nigeria. This year, instead of buying traditional Christmas gifts, we want to show you sustainable items that would make your friends and family feel special. We found a lot of great gifts, including hand-stitched clothing, pottery, handwoven clothes, and even custom jewellery. Many of these gifts were made in Nigeria, a country that is often overlooked when it comes to the world’s supply chains. We enlisted the help of artists, designers and sustainability experts to double-check our recommendations. In this blog, I’ll share some of our favourite picks for Christmas gifts.

    • Set of Wooden Plates
    • CaxtonAlile Table Lamp
    • Aso-Oke
    • Beaker Basket
    • Carrier Bag
    • Vase by Cherryclay

    Set of Wooden Bowl – @Behicrafts

    Give someone a biodegradable and compostable wooden plate today. By doing so, you’ll be helping to save our planet from the massive quantity of plastic pollution caused by improper plastic disposal. It is, nevertheless, an exotic gift that will create an indelible impact on your recipient. Behicrafts’ version is fancy and inventive, making it a one-of-a-kind piece of art. It uses a sophisticated and well-finished wood substance with a silky touch that you won’t stop admiring. Not to mention how often you’d like it to feature in your selfies. Give this present to your friends and family today, and you can count on a grin and a “that’s a really thoughtful message” from them.

    CaxtonAlile Table Lamp – @Caxtonalileliving

    There are table lights, and then there are environmentally friendly table lamps. This pick comes from @Caxtonalileliving, a Nigerian-owned company. It’s a charming and classic table lamp designed with a rustic wooden base and a complementary fabric shade. It is an appealing bedside lamp and can sit elegantly atop any side table across the gift recipient’s home or office. This Christmas spread some love and light with this timeless present.

    Aso-Oke

    Aso-oke is a cotton-thread-based handwoven cloth. It is divided into three different varieties: Sanyan, Alaari, and Etu. Each has its own distinct character. Sanya is constructed entirely of wild silk and cotton threads, whereas Alaari is made of a combination of shining thread and cotton, occasionally with perforated motifs. Etu, on the other hand, is a dark indigo woven so-oke with minimal stripes. This gift is not only environmentally friendly, but it is also a vintage and appropriate Christmas present. Mind you, those who have made this their source of income are still fighting to recover from Covid19, placing SDG8 in peril.

    Beaker

    With beakers, making a mistake is never an option. This product embodies adaptability. It may be used as a serving tray, vase, flower pot carrier, cloth storage, side table accent, wall accent, or centre table item. In the pantry or kitchen, wicker baskets are also quite useful and may be found in a variety of sizes depending on the need. If kept in a climate that is neither too dry nor too humid, it sure can withstand the test of time. You’ll be surprised to learn that this product is manufactured extensively in Lagos, Nigeria. The aged and rustic appeal of a home with a moderate amount of beakers is something you can never grow sick of. This Christmas, give this item as a gift, and you’ll be showered with gratitude from the receiver. Shop for one here.

    Carrier Bags/Rucksacks

    The adage “it’s the little things that count” must be familiar to you. Yes, it is definitely correct. We discovered wonderful, eco-friendly carrier bags for travellers who need to safely store their water bottles, meal packs, journals, and other small belongings. Good news! Joadre’s carrier bags are made to be attractive and, in fact a trendy fashion item. Joadre’s bag designers stepped up the game by adding African-inspired embellishments and customising the bags as a statement of ownership. This Christmas, a rucksack/carrier bag from Joadre is a smart gift that may also protect the environment by preventing the unsafe disposal of plastic bags. Just so you know, Some of these bags are medium-sized, and you can never get bored of carrying them.

    Cherry Clay Pot – @cherryclay

    Cherry Clay pot is an authentically Made-in-Naija product. The pots are so exquisite that they bear witness to the artist’s many years of expertise in creating unique garden pots, enormous planters, and other items for hotels, homeowners, and gardeners. Our favourite in CherryClay collections is the clay vase with a special combination of elements that gives it a gleaming appearance and a smooth texture. It is, without a doubt, a great accent for a room, a home shelf, an office shelf, and many other decor demands. Don’t snooze on this one. This Christmas 2022, buy some of this Mother Earth gift and give some as presents.

    A free gift for you from us

    If you need templates to develop your ideas, try Joadre Tool. For a premium experience using the tools, download the Tribe app (Android Version), a tailored all-in-one app that provides you your own space to find, develop and grow sustainable business ideas. Sign up for our newsletter here to receive consistent learning resources via email.

    Cheers

    Joadre Editorial

    How To Use Networking To Develop Social Capital

    Joadre
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    0
    How To Use Networking To Develop Social Capital

    It is common today to hear people complain that they do not have the proper access and connections to develop their ideas. This complaint becomes the excuse for many. Developing your ideas in Nigeria requires relationship building and serious networking to make things move smoothly. How do you create social capital but remain just and fair in your dealings? This article will teach you some easy ways to do so. Networking is relationship building. It does not happen on its own; it needs an active effort to become successful. 

    Cherish your inner circle, but grow beyond. 

    To have friends, you can discuss even the most controversial, and offensive topics with is a deeply undervalued resource today. These friends trust your intentions. People with whom you can share ideas and thoughts serve as a soundboard for your generic idea-sharing and experiences. If you have a circle of friends with whom you can share, critique and explore, value this connection. 

    To build your ideas and projects, you must connect with people beyond your internal circle of friends. You might also need to connect with organisations, government bodies, sponsors, and other potential partners. How do you go about doing this? We have developed a Network resource template which you can find in our tool platform. This template is an easy guide to help you develop and grow your network confidently. With our template, you have spaces to develop a plan for three different network targets. If you need more space, make more copies. Identify the names of the person, company or organisation with whom you want to build a relationship. 

    Five crucial questions to answer before networking.

    1. What is your intention?
    2. What value can you add?
    3. How will you show commitment?
    4. What do they care about?
    5. How can you build a sincere connection?

    What is your intention?

    Before you embark on developing your network, clarify your intention. Identifying your intention for the networking experience is solely an internal exercise. Must you always have an intention? Yes, you should. Let no confuse things here. Having an intention is not something negative. Setting “intentions” offers you the clarity to act with purpose. Let your intention be rooted in your value. Suppose your “intention” is to help you grow your business or idea; then be very specific about the areas and the outcomes. In the space provided in the template, identify at least one major intention you have. 

    What value can you add to the networking experience?

    Begin with yourself! What value will you add to the other individual’s life or company? Individual people make up a network. Even when you target a company or an entity, people, humans, still run that company. So your interaction in the process has to focus of on a sincere connection with people. Identify the value you bring to the organisation if it is an organisation. In the space provided in the template, brainstorm ways in which you can add value to the person’s life or organisation.

    How will you show commitment?

    It is one thing to start networking and meeting people. It is another to keep up these connections and relationship. Before you embark on this journey, debate this question with yourself. How can you show commitment? Are you going to have a follow-up call, email or personal meeting? Are you going to arrange for a meeting once in 2 months or more frequently? Would you repost their work on social media? Are you going to attend their events? There are many ways to care for and develop a new relationship. Please do not wait until you need something from them before you connect again. In the space provided in the template, brainstorm ways in which you can show you care. 

    What do they care about?

    It is essential to know more about the people you want to connect with before meeting them, if possible. Even if it is an event, you will not know everyone; this I get. But you can learn more about the values behind the event. Why are people attending? And when you finally meet someone, find out genuinely what they care about, what their company cares about and stands for. Does this align with your values? Some companies might be interested in developing a sustainable startup. Find out their interest. Share your interest too.

    Give, give and give before you receive!

    How can you build a sincere connection?

    This is the most challenging part because, very often, we want something. But developing a genuine connection becomes joyful when you are at the giving end rather than the receiving end. What is it that you can give? Give, give and give before you receive. And note that you might not always receive from the person you give. You might receive from their friends, their network or a total stranger. Find out what it is that you can also give. Giving must not be in material value or monetary terms. It can be your time, skills, expertise, space and lots. 

    I hope you are ready to start networking and building meaningful relationships. After you have completed the template:

    1. Read through it one more time.
    2. Place your template where you will see it regularly to remind you of your intentions, value and commitment.
    3. Do not wait for an invitation to get to a gathering.
    4. Check social media to find events close to you.
    5. Set up your professional profile on Linkedin and join diverse activities you might never have thought of trying out.
    6. Be open to exploring.

    That is where you will meet extraordinary people. It is time for you to go out there and develop social capital. 

    Get our app, stay in touch, and let us help you develop your Ideas.

    We created our tailored all-in-one app to offer up-to-date knowledge, provide exposure for social entrepreneurs and offer coaching services. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app and IOS version are on their way; sign up for our newsletter here to know when it is out and get consistent resources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    5 Businesses To Start With Less Than 100K In Nigeria.

    Joadre
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    0
    5 Businesses To Start With Less Than 100K In Nigeria.

    What business to start? This is a hot question! We are often unsatisfied with our 9 to 5 jobs because we know that we have more potential, and the job environment will probably not allow us to develop and grow this potential. And maybe the salary we earn is not sufficient to cover our expenses. This might be why you will ponder the idea of becoming an entrepreneur. You begin to search for business ideas that you can start with very little financial capital in Nigeria or wherever you live. I get you!

    But now, what exactly can you start with minimal funds?

    I have dedicated an entire entrepreneurship FREE program called – the 6-key foundation milestones, exactly to help you develop an idea into a business venture. You can visit our JoadreTRIBE app to attend the 6-Key program for FREE. In this blog, I will list 14 business ideas you can start with little money. I will also explain 5 in this blog that you can start in any African country with less than 100K Nigerian Naira. 100K Naira is equivalent to about 250 dollars, which is not a very high financial capital. Students who have completed any paid program on our platform can also access this capital to start their idea.

    Here are 14 business ideas to consider when looking for a business to start with little capital. You can find more ideas in our App. 
    1. Shawama business.
    2. Foodstuff delivery service business.
    3. Affiliate marketing.
    4. Direct sales business.
    5. Dropshipping business.
    6. Soap production and retail business
    7. Content marketing business.
    8. Perfume production business.
    9. Fashion production business.
    10. Fashion retail business.
    11. Digital content creation business.
    12. Marmalade production business.
    13. Jewellery production business.
    14. Portable furniture retail business.

    I release multiple blogs every week about starting, building and growing your business in Africa. If you want to keep updated and get new ideas and our support, I suggest you get the app. Having few financial resources to start an idea is a very prominent topic. But I must tell you that, very often, you do not need so much money to start off with your idea if you take the time to actually plan how to start. This is the foundation of any successful business.

    Good, so let’s dive into 5 of these business ideas.

    Soap making

    great business ideas

    I am not talking about some kind of no-fragrance soap. I am talking about luxury soap with a yummy appearance – just that you cannot eat it:-). The equipment, work tools and soap-making materials are not so expensive. The first thing you will need to do here is to educate yourself further about soap making, create a business plan and decide which niche you want to serve.

    In soap making, you can strictly decide to serve to cooperate clients like hotels and restaurants, or you develop a retail brand of soap you sell strictly to smaller retailers. You can go into direct-to-customer selling, which is very time intensive. I always advise my students to choose between focusing on production or retailing. Doing both is possible but will not allow you to grow fast into a  world-class business.  I will expand on these selling strategies in future blogs, tutorials, and courses in our Tribe App.

    Foodstuff delivery service business
    supply business - business to start with less than 100K naira
    business to start with less than 100K naira

    As Africa’s population grows massively, migration from rural to urban areas is increasing. What does this mean for you as an entrepreneur? We have seen this happen in Europe. People begin to live high-speed lives and are disconnected from a healthy food source. Soon health issues increase, and people become conscious about what they eat. This would happen in Africa soon. So now, you have the opportunity to build a fresh business idea by connecting local farmers to urban areas.

    You can start this business by targeting white-collar professionals who have no nanny or do they have time to shop for excellent products. You can extend it to business clients such as hotel restaurants and joints. There are many strategies to start this business. If you want to learn more, remember to join our program.

    Affiliate marketing or direct sales business.
    start low capital affiliate marketing business

    The concept of direct selling is not new to Africans at all. Actually, it is laid in our DNA. Remember those ladies selling clothes on campus? Or that your mum’s friend selling Ankara fabric to her friends, including your mother? Remember Aso-ebi? Global brands like Tupperware, Oriflame and Avon have long mastered this business and are multi-million dollar companies.

    They offer customers the opportunity to build a network and sell the products. The advantage is that you are showered with amazing tools and selling techniques. The cost to start is minimal. So you can primarily learn from them and build your direct selling network with local products from producers within your country.  With some great communication skills, you can select a good number of unique products to sell to your network.  

    Perfume production business
    How To Start A Liquid Soap business

    This business requires basic chemistry knowledge, but with a capital of less than 100K Naira, you are good to go. If you do your homework, educate yourself more about the art and chemistry of perfume making, and have the right product and packaging, you can target high-class professionals like bankers, marketers and other service professionals because they just “need” to smell good, right?

    As I mentioned, packaging is key in this business. Suppose you are interested in this business idea. In that case, you join our Tribe app to know when we release our “Branding with packaging design” tutorial. Even because perfumes have a very long shave life, meaning they do not get spoilt easily, you can quickly grow this business into an exportation business. It is always safer to have one product line and ensure it reaches more customers worldwide than to expand to many product lines in the exact location. I will explain why in upcoming tutorials and my free weekly videos.

    Fashion retail business
    Fashion business idea to start with less than 100K Naira

    Ok, this is a business where I have 100% experience as I launched my fashion production and retail business in 2014. You can visit the online store to see some of our products. In this sector, you have so many options; mind you, Africa is a massive market. When I view fashion as a business, I am not referring to high-end fashion or what they call “Haute Couture”. That is not where big money is. Look at brands like Zara, H&M, Mango, Asos and such. Although I do not recommend some of their business ethics, it is clear that these retail houses are leading in fashion, and you know why? Because they discovered and focused on the mass market.

    So as an aspiring entrepreneur in Africa, where the mass market is massive, I wonder why we do not have big or multiple mass fashion retail brands. There is a way to start your retail brand and grow it into a chain with very little cash. Start with a consistent pop-up plan in strategic locations and leverage the power of digital marketing. I am here to show you how this would work, but you must first work on creating a plan for this idea.

    Conclusion – It’s not all about cash, it is about if you know how to start!

    There are more ideas, and remember, I only introduced five of 14 business ideas to start with less capital. I would love to share more, but at the same time, I do not want this blog to be too long. Look out for upcoming blog content, courses, tutorials and life conventions. That’s where I will explore more ideas, show you how and also look for ventures to support in the long term.

    Thank you so much for reading this very long blog. I know it is long. Sorry jare (Nigerian slang), but I felt it is essential to share this knowledge for the common good.  If you are serious about starting up something soon, then be sure to join my program. I look forward to seeing you in our Tribe.

    Take care, and cheers,

    Joana

    How to Build Equity In Nigeria’s Textile Sector

    Joadre Editorial
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    0
    How to Build Equity In Nigeria’s Textile Sector

    After the three primary human essentials (food, water, and shelter), you can add clothing to the top section of this list. In its simplistic sense, this makes the textile industry very vital to us all. Nigeria’s textile industry significantly contributes to its economy through its role in the manufacturing sector. Amongst all other manufacturing sectors in Nigeria, the textiles and garments industry is the largest. 

    Let us take a close look at this industry and how you can start to own equity. Nigerians must think of owning equity in the industries that hold the nation, as this keeps the authority and ownership for the people. A primary way to own equity is to develop strong businesses within these industries. To achieve this, you must understand the sector, its value and the potential future of equity. 

    Contribution to the Economy

    The textile industry is more than clothing. Added to traditional clothing, you have interior deco, footwear, leather, and other sub-sectors. Textiles, apparel, and footwear are the second-largest output activity. To learn more about the technical aspects of fabric and textiles, read our blog “Beginners Guide To Fabric”. The leather and leather product sub-sector exports are estimated to be about $272 million, with a high potential to generate over $1 billion by 2025. In addition, the industry employs approximately 750,000 people, including around 500,000 in the finished leather goods business, mainly women, who make up the bulk of the workforce.

    The Nigerian textile industry was the second largest in Africa behind Egypt before 1997, with over 250 active plants and over 50% capacity utilisation (Semshak Gompil 2004).

    The history of textile that we know nothing about.

    Our generation barely remembers the great cloth industry today’s regions that form Nigeria had around the 15th century. Such historical information was not taught in our history classes. The Nigerian textile industry used to be the second largest employer of labour after the government, employing over one million Nigerians and generating over N1 billion in revenue for the Nigerian government. It was also a significant user of locally produced raw materials such as cotton and polyester. But now, Nigeria has 25 textile mills, with an average capacity of 40% and a total workforce of roughly 25,000 workers. 

    Does Nigeria still process and produce textiles?

    Let us not believe that Nigeria produces most of its textiles. Even when some are processed and made within the country, the bulk is imported. The primary workforce in this industry does not come from the direct processing of raw materials or the manufacturing of fabrics. Instead, the workforce revolves around the production of fashion, footwear and other finished product, which primarily rely on importing processed raw materials or semi-finished materials such as fabrics. Also, the production of these finished goods is limited. The quantity and quality often do not meet (and in some cases, appeal to the taste) the growing population’s demand. 

    Impact of not processing raw materials for the textile industry

    Since more workforce relies on imported materials to further prepare a finished good, Nigeria’s needed entrepreneurial spirit of innovation is not cultivated. Resources, education and investment capital are not directed towards this sector’s deliberate development. This attitude makes the needed machinery unavailable in Nigeria. Hence the skills required to operate and repair such machines are limited or, better said, not present. Any form of development one pursues needs a strategy. Read “Development In Africa Needs A Europe Strategy”. For investment into the textile industry to be significant, significant enough for a bulk of the Nigerian people to own equity, we suggest that these 5 areas have to be properly looked into as an entrepreneur; 

    1. Developing new sustainable raw materials for textile production. 
    2. Developing machinery training and repair procedures. 
    3. Designing production facilities that are Autakt. 
    4. Re-innovating machinery for this purpose.
    5. Harnessing research and development capital for invention.
    Build Equity In Nigeria's textile
    An old wooden loom used in Europe earlier on.

    Who do we need on board now?

    This process is a very capital and time intensive one. More prominent investors have to be on board for this approach to be favoured. Investors can be the federal or state government. However, this can be achieved on a much smaller scale if a strategy exists. A group of medium-sized textile entrepreneurs team up to form cooperation with a clear goal. Or, if you choose a lonely road to start, then engage with a “signature product” approach. 

    Use a B2B “signature product” approach if you go solo. 

    A small-Medium entrepreneur can research one of two primary products made at least 80% in the country, maybe like Aso-oke. Partner with the yarn producers to find better and consistent quality. For example, you can get softer yarns from the mills or import them if possible. Take a look at the Aso-oke weaver’s loom. It can be supported with more mechanics and maybe upgraded with electronics. 

    I know there is already automated machinery for this. But remember that if you employ highly sophisticated technology with no knowledge to use and maintain it, you will not succeed. So a transitional approach can work. A path where you start from the manual and move towards a sophisticated one. By doing this, you and your network can begin to gather the know-how for the machinery and maybe launch a branch for the production of the machinery, its parts, and repair. 

    Textile Machinery and engineers

    Approach companies that produce electrical looms for partnership. You are good to go with two manual looms, one semi-manual, and one electrical loom. Rember that there are talents on the ground who can convert a fully manual loom to a semi-automatic loom. Utilise this talent. Look for this talent. These people should become your machine engineers. 

    Master your lane, export with confidence

    Source for yarns and begin to design fabrics. Your focus is to master and develop robust expertise in fabric making. Your customers are designers and those making the finished designs. This same approach can go for other kinds of fabric designs like Adire. However, the more you specify and focus on detailed aspects of the supply,y chain, the better you become. You become innovative and find top-level partners ready to collaborate. This allows you to grow faster. Suppose you worry that you might not have enough clients; look at the European market. Maybe you want to think of exporting. But to be able to partake in a market with high fabric technology, make sure all these things apply to your product to boost competitiveness: 

    • It is eco-friendly (with proof).
    • It has a strong social impact (Measurable).
    • The durability is outstanding. (tested and proven).
    • There is a uniqueness about it – design, texture, story etc.

    When you spread yourself too thin to produce fabric and make fashion, you will face challenges that arise from repeating problems, and you will become stagnant. 

    Build Equity In Nigeria's textile, crafts and fashion industries.
    Fabric in the textile industry

    Make it a collaborative journey for it to be worth the while

    Using this method, you can find people specifying in a participle area. It could be someone who specialises in making buttons from plastic or wood. Someone who specialises in the mass production of garments. Someone else could focus on making the best shoe soles. Using these tactics, you can develop a strong network within the industry and begin to lobby for your legislation, seek global partnerships and showcase in international fairs. On JoadreTribe App, we will explore a more in-depth strategy to start and grow your manufacturing empire. 

    We are following up on what the government is doing.

    The government has mandated that the military, paramilitary agencies, and government institutions acquire made-in-Nigeria textiles and apparel solely for their uniforms. At the same time, the private sector, particularly schools, should be encouraged to source materials locally. The policy would ensure that adequate standards are developed in the sector and that all significant textile importers are registered with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to reduce the dumping of substandard goods in Nigeria, and a bilateral agreement between SON and its counterpart in China to significantly reduce counterfeiting.

    Do you think the government is doing enough? Let us know what your take is on this by sending us an email to [email protected].

    Get our app, stay in touch, and let us help you develop your Ideas.

    We created our tailored all-in-one app to offer up-to-date knowledge, provide exposure for social entrepreneurs and offer coaching services. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS users, a web app and IOS version are on their way; sign up for our newsletter here to know when it is out and get consistent resources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    “Millionaire” with Nigerian Musician & Guitarist, Peter De Rock

    Joadre Editorial
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    “Millionaire” with Nigerian Musician & Guitarist, Peter De Rock

    Gold sparkling shoes and glittering sequence on black-brown golden kaftan outfit complements his gold framed dark shades, which he puts on indoors. Of course, a well-kept Afro look crowns his style. These are all part of Peter De Rock’s signature look. Peter was eight years old when he lost his father and can hardly recall the legends of his music told by many. His father, Clement Uwaifo (Clemico), was said to be the first music icon in his family who nurtured late Sir Victor Uwaifo into music. Already at that young age of 8 years, Peter started with music and singing. 

    Ebuka’s Story is a true Nigerian story.

    As he steps into the studio, a big smile decorates his face. One of his team members reminds him to continue smiling like a Millionaire. “Millionaire” is the name of one of his songs. This song tells the story of Ebuka. A story many Nigerians would like to be theirs. As we settle in for the session in a music production studio far down Lekki Axis in Lagos, Peter’s team play “Millionaire” in the background. Peter is enticed and begins to recite the lyrics so distinctly that every word truly reflects Nigerian society. 

    “Most people that sold pure water on the streets, God has lifted them to become millionaires o.”

    Peter De Rock
    Meet Peter De rock Uwaifo Junior
    About Peter De Rock: Peter Uwaifo, better known as Peter De Rock and sometimes referred to as junior Uwaifo is an award-winning Nigerian Songwriter, musician, composer, and music director.

    Do everything to make ends meet.

    For many in Edo state, where Peter is from, the name Sir Victor Uwaifo rings a bell. Late Sir Victor Uwaifo was an Edo music legend and Peter De Rock’s uncle. Peter spent the past years around his uncle after his father, Mr Clement, passed away. It might seem very optimistic to hear the story of his song’s protagonist – Ebuka. Ebuka is a young man that wanted to study at the university but could not afford it. This story is one which thousands of Nigerians can relate to as it depicts their lives. 

    Ebuka finds ways to go to university and graduate but now has found no job awaiting him. About 90% of the youth in Nigeria are either under-employed or unemployed. Like Ebuka, many shove their university degrees under the rug to enter the hustling world. The song is about how many graduates struggle through mediocre jobs and multiple hustles to make ends meet. 

    “Some did not give up on their hustling. Some did not even sleep at all. They were praying; baba bless me to become a millionaire o.”

    Peter De Rock

    A music management staff hands Peter a red electric guitar. He continues to jive the song like he is on a mission to encourage every Nigerian that determination pays a lot. He sings the chorus aloud, reflecting the optimism and gratitude many Nigerians exhibits despite their circumstances. The music session ends, and his team set him up again for a short conversation with Joadre.  

    Meet Peter De rock Uwaifo Junior

    Do not discriminate yourself!  

    Joadre: Why the story of Ebuka? 

    Peter De Rock: Ebuka is a true life story that portrays the reality concerning the Nigerian youth. The story was composed by me. It is the life of many graduates in Nigeria. 

    Joadre: You transformed this true life story into a piece of music. Why?

    Peter De Rock: I want to use it to encourage many youths. I want to tell them not to give up. They should not lose focus. Whether you graduate or not, you can be someone in life. Do not discriminate against yourself. When you are determined, you will surely get there. Find something to do, do not wait. Trust me; you will get here with determination. My aim with this music is to encourage Nigerian youths. 

    Joadre: Where can we hear your music?

    Peter De Rock: My music is streaming on diverse platforms. I am so excited that this music is trending.  

    We gathered a few links for you to listen to Peters’s music, “God has lifted me to become a millionaire.”

    Other links to find the music: https://g.co/kgs/NC4Esp

    Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Peter-Rock/dp/B098XYPRDC

    Life Has Not Given Up On You 

    Peter grabbed his acoustic guitar and improvised some beautiful rhythms. His song “Millionaire” is featured as a soundtrack in a new 2022 documentary film – Voices Uprising coming up soon. We will keep you all updated. Remember to share this article with people whom you think need encouragement right now. 

    “Never give up in life because life has not given up on you.”

    Meet Peter De rock Uwaifo Junior

    Get our app, stay in touch, and let us help you develop your Ideas.

    We created our tailored all-in-one app as the one-stop platform for African Students and Savvy Entrepreneurs to innovate and own businesses. Get the app (Android version) here. For IOS and other non-Andriod users, get the web app; sign up for our newsletter here to know more and get email updates. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    Start Your Cosmetics Business

    Joadre Editorial
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    Start Your Cosmetics Business

    Cosmetics is one of Africa’s leading products in the fast-growing beauty industry. This article will look at how to start a side cosmetic business. I remember many university students on campus investing in cosmetic products far above what they could afford. These students wanted to look good and feel good about themselves, as many claimed that it improves their self-confidence!

    A large variety of cosmetic products. Choose your niche!

    The cosmetics business is lucrative because everybody uses cosmetic products like cream, soaps, shampoo, makeup and many more subcategories. Gone are the days when this kind of product only appealed to women. Men use makeup products as well today. The cosmetics industry is vastly populated with various products that appeal to customers with different tastes, experiences, social strata and financial capacities. Because there are multiple aspects of cosmetics, you can choose the one that has a high demand, and you have a passion for it and start your own business. 

    To launch a business, we advise you to explore makeup and simple body soap as one subcategory in the cosmetic industry in Nigeria. Following our step-by-step approach, you will have to research, plan, produce products or buy them, distribute and promote them. Feel free to connect with us if you have equations. Also, get our Joadre Tribe App to get more tutorials in the future.

    Research and conclude before you begin. 

    No matter how large or small you want to start, you will need to understand the landscape of the cosmetic industry in your area. Find out what is being imported, which cosmetics are the favourite and the price ranges. Buy the leading products or view them at a shop to find out the production and distribution companies. Do further research to know more about them. Find out their selling point, what makes them unique and the pricing f these products. 

    Now, specify which niche you would like to provide your products for. Are they students? What can they afford? Start with one product. This is like a guiding strategy that we always advise those with less capacity. When you have decided which product you would like to start with, carry out specific research about the potential alternatives in the market. If you are getting from the company directly or dealing with wholesalers. It is also important to find successful owners of such kinds of businesses and get familiar with them, try to study their strategies, sales tactics and marketing. At the end of your research, you should answer the following questions:

    1. What product do I want to produce or distribute?
    2. Who are the other producers or distributors of similar products?
    3. How much is this category o product going for?
    4. Where do potential customers by their preferred products from?
    5. What would you call your business or brand? 

    Plan for your potential customers

    The need to make a plan and write it down cannot be overemphasised. Making a detailed plan helps you stay focused on your goals, and it also acts as the road map for your business. A good business plan enables you to understand the paths to take and also helps you identify the lapses in your business and how you can work around them. You can get our Tribe app and attend the free 6 Key program tutorials to learn how to make a comprehensive business plan. Also, download our free blueprint template to help you identify the next logical steps to take as you develop your cosmetic business. 

    Outline all avenues where you can sell your products. With the presence of so many makeup artists, your demographic spectrum widens. You are not only selling to the customers directly, but you are also selling to the makeup artists who tend to make bulk purchases. After you have developed a simple business plan, make sure you can answer these questions; 

    1. Can I produce this product, or do I only want to distribute this product?
    2. Who are your customers? 
    3. What demographics are your target customers?
    4. What legal set-up do you need?

    From the production of cosmetics to products

    Remember, you must not produce your products for now, even if we advise every African entrepreneur to own equity by mastering the manufacturing process. It is still essential to consider your abilities and financial capacity. If you do not have the skills or the finance, you can save for it. While you buy and sell cosmetic products, you can use this process to build your knowledge of the ingredients, quality, packaging, promotion, and much more. 

    Also, note that there is an affiliate business option for cosmetics. You can literally start with no cash by focusing on network marketing with brands like Oriflame (N3000 for registration, they give you a catalogue of products that you can select from) and Marykay (it is about N39,000 for registration and basic products). This is a great way to know if the cosmetic industry and business is for you. If you choose to buy product to sell, you can either get good and affordable makeup products from Aspamda (trade fair Ojoo) as most makeup companies have their representatives there. 

    Focus on cosmetics products that mater

    Our world is already polluted enough, and many large companies are beginning to sincerely care to offer sustainable products or greenwash. Either way, they have done their research and know that many and more consumers care. So this is the time for you to plug into this movement. Consumers care about what they put on their bodies and their impact on our planet. We strongly advise you to start from the onset to choose sustainable products. Sustainability should go beyond environmentally friendly. Tick all the boxes to increase your business’s chance of speedy growth. Do your best to check all these various points as you engage in your cosmetic business. 

    • Check if the ingredients used are organically grown, processed and packaged. 
    • Check if the packaging is sustainable. 
    • Check if the working conditions for the people producing the components is fair. 
    • Check your supply chain and logistics network. 
    • Think of the communication for promotion. Are you contributing to body shaming or elevation for all races?

    Investing and promote your cosmetics business.

    If you want to produce your cosmetics, starting from home is advisable. If you ruby and sell, you can make it a mobile business or sell online, as getting a shop is a little premature at the start-up stage. In our fast-growing digital space, you can hardly avoid social platforms. Get your business a social media platform. Connect with social media influencers to promote your product, and remember that in-person contact is always the best. Organise introduction parties where you introduce your products to potential customers. This kind of party must not be lavish. YOu can also attach yourself to existing fairs, trade shows, social events and industry showcases.

    How to get customers and maintain customers

    1. Word-of-mouth advertisement is always the best. 
    2. Good Social media presence/online pictures and banners of the products. Find out how to make a good online product picture. 
    3. Ensure that your products are original and of good quality.
    4. Offer good customer service.
    5. Create customer incentives and loyalty rewards.

    Cosmetics are very important to all as we all strive to look good and feel good about ourselves. Starting a cosmetics business is a surefire way to activate success and ensure your finances. 

    Get our app, stay in touch, and lets us help you develop your ideas.

    Still, with the intention to provide more tools for you, we created our tailored all-in-one app to offer up-to-date knowledge, provide exposure for social entrepreneurs and offer coaching services. Get the app (Android version) here, and for IOS users, a web app version and IOS version is on it’s way; sign up for our newsletter here to know when it’s out and get the consistent resources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Explore The Beverage Business In Nigeria | An Overview

    Joadre Editorial
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    Explore The Beverage Business In Nigeria | An Overview

    Everyone loves to drink something. You must take in fluid, majorly water, to sustain yourself. Globally the beverage industry has evolved into a machine that spills out many sugary products or alcoholic ones. In Nigeria, there is no exception. Nigeria is a booming market for soft drinks, juices, and other beverages, with a population of about 216 million people. But the beverage industry has more to offer. This article will look at an overview of Nigerians’ beverage sector. 

    Nigeria’s economy beyond oil 

    Nigeria has Africa’s largest economy and is the continent’s leading oil producer. On the other hand, the country’s expanding beverage industry is home to one of Africa’s largest economies. The beverage business is also one of the country’s most significant employers, employing thousands of men and women.

    The diversity of beverages available

    Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and water are primarily manufactured, packaged, and distributed in Nigeria’s beverage business. Nigeria’s soft drinks market is the country’s largest and most popular, with several local and foreign brands. Nigeria’s alcoholic beverage business is dominated by beer, with only a few enterprises manufacturing wine and spirits. Wine and spirits are majorly imported into Nigeria. 

    In Nigeria, the water business primarily consists of producing and distributing drinking water, with some companies offering bottled and tap water. Leading companies include Coca-Cola, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nestle, Unilever and Promasidor.

    Herbal medicine and herbal beverages are making their mark.

    Alongside the diverse beverages available to the Nigerian market, other indigenous drinks, such as bitters, are taking new heights in Nigeria and west Africa. The likes of Alomo bitters which originate from Ghana are an example in this sector. Some bitters are positioned as herbal medicine, and an estimated $50bn is to be made. 

    Herbal medicine is a new industry in Nigeria, having only existed for a few decades. Pax Herbal Clinic and Research Laboratories, Nigeria’s first alternative medicine research institution, was founded in 1997 by Adodo Anselm, a Nigerian scholar. Kedi, Greenlife Herbal, Global Alliance, and several indigenous producers like Yemkem International and Green Extract Nigeria are presently the country’s biggest makers of herbal medication.

    Impact on the Economy

    According to estimates, herbal medicine is expected to be worth $50 billion by 2030. Traditional medicine is relied on by 80% of people, especially in rural regions, for their health care requirements. The Nigerian House of Representatives believes that the herbal business may generate $10 billion in annual revenue if given the right incentives. According to the World Trade Organization, Nigeria is currently the continent’s largest food market. Statistics show that the food and beverage industry provides at least 1.5 million employees. It accounts for 22.5 per cent of the manufacturing industry’s value and 4.6 per cent of the country’s GDP.

    Herbal beverages long lasting benefit fuels demand

    The growing desire for natural cures and the increasing prosperity of the Nigerian populace are driving the business. Also to consider is the massive brain drain in Nigeria’s medical personnel sector. With limited conventional medicinal personnel, more people rely on traditional alternatives as conventional medicine becomes less accessible. Traditional medicine generally provides long-lasting benefits. Classic medical treatment is more expensive and may require numerous visits, which fuels the demand for natural therapies.

    Ministry in Charge

    The Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) oversee the beverage and herbal medicine industries. Before anyone can release and market any beverage in Nigeria, you must acquire a NAFDAC certification. 

    Coming back to the fact that 216 million people must drink something, the beverage industry in Nigeria is only going to grow. The question would be in what direction? Is the rapid rise in herbal drinks here to stay, and would clean water remain the most popular beverage? Let us know what you think, and share your feedback and comments using our contact form. 

    Get our app, stay in touch and let us help you develop your ideas.

    Still, with the intention to provide more tools for you, we created our tailored all-in-one app to offer up-to-date knowledge, provide exposure for social entrepreneurs and offer coaching services. Get the app (Android version) here, and for IOS users, a web app and IOS version are on it’s way. Sign up for our newsletter here to know when it is out and get consistent resources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre Editorial team

    SME Get Access To Loan|Tunde Obadero, Zitra Investments

    Joadre Editorial
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    SME Get Access To Loan|Tunde Obadero, Zitra Investments

    Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

    The Nigerian government has attempted for many years to assist the growth of SMEs in the nation through the APEX Bank, a number of programs such as the anchor borrowers program and the Bank of Industry Grant, among other programs. Even though the program may have had some impact, many SMEs continue to lack access to low-interest, long-term loans. Despite the gloomy realities and challenges that SMEs face, there are still some opportunities.

    Attention To What Works. 

    “You don’t need any special skills to focus on what isn’t working but the reality is it takes time to pay attention to what works”. Tunde Obadero, the CEO of Zitra Investment tells the crew of Joadre as we sat with him in Lagos for a one-on-one Interview available in our App.

    > Check out these 3 small business grants

    No Collateral Loan Initiative For Nigerian SME

    The no collateral initiative is a product of Zitra Investment, a one-stop shop for financial services. SMEs and individuals who would typically be unable to get credit facilities at commercial banks will now have access to finance. According to the company’s CEO in an interview with Joadre, the company’s mission is to empower SMEs in Africa by facilitating easy access to capital. Tunde says, “Zitra’s target audience are people with no collateral to provide to a typical Nigerian bank in order to secure a loan.” Watch the full Interview on the APP.

    Acknowledging the difficulty in Accessing Bank Loan

    In the interview, Tunde Obadero advocated that the Nigerian financial landscape be made more democratic. “Many people have great ideas but lack funding in the form of grants or loans.” Unfortunately, when bank terms and restrictions are excessively onerous, people and SMEs are susceptible to loan sharks. If SMEs in Nigeria currently account for 96% of all businesses, 84% of all jobs, and 48% of the country’s GDP, then a concentrated effort to expand that sector will benefit both SMEs and the entire country. Everyone identifies with the issue of financial access, I’m sure. Some individuals could even find it more relatable, though. “There is a lady who hawks bread around Surulere, but always with insufficient funds to purchase bread from the bakery. What exactly does she do? She takes out a loan from a loan shark in order to receive N10,000 from him …”

    > You can raise funds for your business.

    Call for Global Partners

    Tunde is not shy to say that concerted efforts are required for this program to saturate the entire continent and be sustainable. There, he asked for a global partnership to address the problems SMEs in Nigeria are facing. “One of the things we are looking at as well is a global partnership with entities who have the capital for social entrepreneurship. They may not understand Nigerian terrain but we will assist with that” we have a full video interview with Tunde Obadero on the JoadreTribe app.

    At Joadre, we provide you with information to grow your ideas and where you may get funds. For more business-empowering delights, download the Tribe App.

    Cheers!

    Credit Access for SME in Nigeria with Tunde Obadero

    Tertiary. Education System in Nigeria, Part 6

    Joadre Editorial
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    Tertiary. Education System in Nigeria, Part 6

    Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

    One of the most successful ventures in human history has been the investment in education. It not only offers the investor high returns, but it also safeguards both his or her future and the future of society as a whole. In this, we examine tertiary education in Nigeria as part of the formal educational system. If you are reading this for the first time, please go back and read the earlier parts to fully understand what we are discussing.

    Advancing to Tertiary Institution

    Candidates at the secondary school level must have a minimum of 5 credits in their O’Level result (including Maths and English) in order to continue on to the next stage of formal education, which is tertiary education. They must have taken and passed the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) admission exam for higher education institutions. Some academic institutions continue to schedule additional exams to weed out applicants for admission. The Post UTME exam is what this one is called (Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination). For JAMB, a score of 200 or more is required for admission to universities, while a score of 180–150 is required for polytechnic institutions. And for the College of Education, 170 below.

    Tertiary Education In Nigeria

    Universities and non-universities, including polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education, make up Nigeria’s binary tertiary education system. It is noteworthy that legislation allowing the formation of private tertiary institutions was passed by the Federal government in 1993. The National Universities Commission NUC now has 153 registered universities in Nigeria. There are 68 privately held institutions, 45 state-owned universities, and 40 federal universities among them. According to the Federal Ministry of Education, there are 51 private polytechnics, 43 state-owned polytechnics, and 28 federal polytechnics in Nigeria. In contrast, there are 47 state-owned colleges of education, 22 federal colleges of education, and 26 approved private colleges of education. For a comprehensive list of institutions that have been accredited, visit the NUC page.

    Requirements for admission to tertiary institutions in Nigeria

    Candidates who want to enrol in universities in Nigeria must receive a minimum JAMB aggregate score of 200. They must pass the POST-UTME and have a minimum of 5 credits at O’level, including English and Mathematics. A cumulative score of at least 60% is recommended for a university like University of Ibadan and Lagos in order to be taken into consideration for admission. In Polytechnics, tertiary education lasts a minimum of 4 years, although the Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma each last 2 years. While it takes at least 4 years for standard studies in universities. With the exception of programs like medicine, which, even without the constant strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, lasts around 7 years (ASUU). Due to frequent strike actions, students can end up spending a total of six years on a four-year degree.

    Cost of Tertiary Education in Nigeria

    The tertiary institutions are run and owned by both the government and private individuals. The government subsidises the cost of tuition at this level for students at public tertiary institutions, bringing the average tuition cost up to N40,000 in federal universities and N100,000 in state-owned colleges. Private postsecondary institutions charge expensive tuition rates, which are paid for each academic session, consisting of two semesters and frequently priced at a minimum of N400,000 . Despite this enormous sum, some parents have made the decision to work hard to make sure that their children don’t waste valuable time in public tertiary institutions due to strikes or other unforeseen events.

    Nigerian Tertiary Institutions in the face of  Covid19

    During COVID 19, the majority of public schools were unable to continue operating. Surprisingly, private institutions were able to quickly adapt to the new situation by offering online teaching platforms. Interestingly, Covid 19 caught public  tertiary institutions in a labour strike, which ultimately lasted for more than 10 months. After the strike, it took public institutions considerable time to develop a hybrid system where 70% of classes were delivered online and 30% in-person. Both students and professors found it challenging since they either complained about a shortage of internet data or a weak network. Conversely, some academics are merely uninformed about ICT. It was and still is necessary to put the ICT infrastructure and resources in Nigeria’s higher education institutions to the test. Speaking of ICT, check our resources on how to Understand Your Customer by Paying Attention To Data.

    Job Entry Level for Nigerian Graduates

    While Polytechnic and Monotechnic provide their graduates with National Diplomas (two years) and Higher National Diplomas (2years), the university grants its graduates a Bachelor’s Degree. At the conclusion of the program, the College of Education awards the National Certificate of Education (NCE). If employed by the federal government, a Bsc and HND holder begins at level 08 with a starting salary of roughly N128,000. NCE entry is level 7, while OND certificate holders enter at level 6. In the current job market, these certificates are no longer useful without further training or experience. This is in the midst of the never-ending effort to eliminate Nigeria’s disparity between Bsc and HND certificates, which impair employability. As it is, there are more job seekers than there are employers. You may read about 3 Small Business Grants for Nigerian Entrepreneurs in our recent blog.

    You need templates to develop your ideas, try Joadre Tool. For premium experience using the tools, download Tribe app (Android Version), a tailored all-in-one app that provides you your own space to find, develop and grow sustainable business ideas. To receive consistent learning resources  via email, sign up for our newsletter here.

    Cheers

    Joadre Editorial
    More on this topic, read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 & Part 5.

    “Lets Stand Tall” By Ngozi Ijimakinwa’s | Why We Must Empower The Girl Child

    Joadre Editorial
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    “Lets Stand Tall” By Ngozi Ijimakinwa’s | Why We Must Empower The Girl Child

    Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

    Why should you care about the girl child? Afterall, would she not get married and become the responsibility of another family? This is the logic of many parents. Think about it, many populations are made up of around 40-60% female. So the girl child is basically half the human population. Is it not common sense then to care about half the human population? Nigerian film producer and social activist Ngozi Ijimakinwa initiated the “Lets stand tall” project to create awareness and educate young girls.

    Still, more males enrol to further higher education

    There has been a recent increase in the proportion of female students enrolled in elementary schools. However, female admission rates to tertiary institutions are lower than male admission rates. This clearly shows that females face more barriers accessing higher education than males. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding or support from their parents who think they will get married soon, many young girls do not complete secondary school. No wonder a bigger percentage of women enrol in part-time programs at tertiary institutions, where they can work and support themselves because no one else is willing to, Ngozi tells us as we meet her in Lagos, Nigeria for an Interview. 

    Ngozi Ijimakinwa, producer & Social activist

    Ngozi is the founder of Diva’s Dynasty show and Let’s Stand Tall Foundation, has been an advocate for programs that assist female empowerment for these. She has been doing this by employing scheduled events, movies, books, TV shows, and interviews. 

    “I was invited to a school around Orile, Lagos. After the talk, some of the girls came to meet me and shared some things that were really scary. How even their parents are the ones who push them out for sexual trade. You know, “go and get money, I have trained you”, these are 15 and 16years old girls. Some of them went to public schools, their parents didn’t really pay for anything, they didn’t train them. Not just the society now, but their parents are the ones pushing them out for sexual gratifications and sex for money. I decided that okay, something needs to be done! This inspired the foundation of “Let’s Stand Tall”

    “go and get money, I have trained you”, these are 15 and 16years old girls…”

    …Ngozi Ijimakinwa

    Watch Full Interview Now on JoadreTribe App.

    There is progress, but there is much work ahead!

    The reality is that discrimination against women in Nigeria has persisted for many generations; examples include early marriage, a lack of educational and employment opportunities, and domestic abuse, among other things. Yes, there is remarkable improvement in the cities. Young women are taking their place in society and role models are evolving. But more needs to be done, especially at an early age. Empowering young girls will contribute to the resolution of several social problems in Nigeria. It will enable a more inclusive live, one that is free from all sorts of discrimination. 

    Young girls need to be accorded dignity and respect

    In order to empower the girl child, everyone, including their mothers must adopt a different attitude toward the role of females in our society. Equal access to opportunities is not enough as there is much catching up to be done. It is about ensuring that they are accorded dignity and respect in all areas of life as their male counterparts, irrespective of ethnic or religious backgrounds. There is much awareness to be done and Ngozi has taken it upon herself to start educating girls at a very young age. 

    “Prior to Let’s Stand Tall, a life-changing program for female public secondary school students between the ages of 15 and 18 that promotes sexual integrity, character growth, and gender excellence. I used to host a program called Diva’s Dynasty where we interviewed successful women from various walks of life. We talk to them to also encourage these young girls, like you can! Some of them didn’t have parents who saw them through, some of them didn’t even go to school but they are better now in society.”

    “Some of them don’t have parents who see them through”

    …Ngozi Ijimakinwa

    Read Full Interview in our Magazine – JoadreTHRIVE coming out in December 2022

    Project to support: EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR TAGGED “LET’S STAND TALL” FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL FEMALE STUDENTS

    • Introduction: With all that is happening in our society, ranging from physical abuse, drug abuse to rape and prostitution to illegal migration and suicide, there is an urgent need to empower and educate the very young vulnerable generation, hence the need for “LET’S STAND TALL
    • What is Let’s Stand Tall?: Let’s Stand Tall is a life changing seminar for female students in Public Secondary Schools (SSS Classes). It is an empowerment and educative seminar designed to promote sexual integrity, character development and gender equality according to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
    • The Target Audience: Public Secondary School students, from age 15 to 18
    • Reach so far: More than 500 students from different public secondary schools in one place

    Empowered girls become liberated women

    When a girl child is empowered, their immediate communities profits from it. But that is not all, it overflows into the entire nation as a whole. They grow up to become women who are liberated from dependence on men. They are in the position to have a voice in their community, and contribute to economic development as well as host other benefits to society. Through her Diva’s Dynasty and Let’s Stand Tall projects, among other initiatives, Ngozi has begun her own path toward the empowerment of young women. And She believes everyone, irrespective of where you are, has an opportunity to contribute. Female children are extremely crucial to the development of Nigeria as a country. We’ve seen how this will spur economic expansion, but even more crucially, it will help build a brighter future for our children, which is what we all want for them. 

    Make a difference and join Ngozi

    Contribute to our community by registering in our app, download and watch the full interview with Ngozi Ijimakinwa when it is out. If you want to support her work, you can connect with us through the “News” section- click Interested to show your interest and we will get back to you. For IOS users, a webapp version and IOS version is on its way, sign up for our newsletter here to know when it’s out and get the consistent ressources via email. If you already have ideas on how to empower the girl child and you need templates to help you develop the ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    #ENDSARS, Lamentations to Songs Of Protest. Breakdown

    Samuel Olawoyin
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    #ENDSARS, Lamentations to Songs Of Protest. Breakdown

    Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

    Genesis – How it all Began

    The #Endsars protest started in 2017 and lingered till this present moment as a result of negligence. Whose negligence? Of course that of the government! The protest started peacefully online (twitter) in 2017, against a series of reports of police shooting unarmed youths of Nigeria. The evil which was mostly perpetrated by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force. The protest however took a new turn in 2020, when the same unit was accused of killing a boy in Ughelli, Delta State. When the video of the SARS vehicle chasing the boy appeared on the internet, it incited anger. An anger which led to a mass protest, that gave other citizens a chance to narrate their experiences in the hands of this notorious police unit. One of the popular stories that gained media attention was the case of a young man Chijioke Illoanya. According to the sister, her father was made to swim “in a river filled with dead bodies to see if he can find his son”

    5 Demands of Protesters

    • Immediate release of all arrested protesters
    • Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families
    • Setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of Police misconduct (within 10 days)
    • In line with police act, psychological evaluation and retaining (to be confirmed by an independent body) of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed
    • Increase Police salary so that they are adequately compensated for protecting lives and property of citizens .

    Police Official Response

    What Was Done to the SARS Unit?

    The Nigerian Police authorities in October 2020 established SWAT to replace the supposedly disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the police force. However, the news was met with mixed reactions from concerned Nigerians. Many claimed the SARS unit was only and craftily renamed SWAT. Subsequently, various training videos of the SWAT team appeared on the internet. According to social media comments, the training program is substandard, hence, people started mocking the Nigerian police authorities. Here is a link to one of the popular videos: Nigerian SWAT Training Video

    Revelations – Where are we now?

    The #Endsars protest without an iota of doubt revealed the inherent violent attitude of the Nigerian government towards its people. On 20th October, 2020, men of the Nigerian Army were sent by the Nigerian government to release fire on peaceful protesters. Perhaps it was forgotten that we are in  the 21st century, where citizen journalism is at its peak. Obianuju Catherine Udeh a.k.a DJ Switch, not only captured the event, but went live on instagram to reveal the evil that was being perpetrated by men of the Nigerian Army. Amidst this evidence, the Nigerian government on many occasions denied the presence of the Nigerian army at the Lekki Toll Gate. At one point, Lagos state governor was caught in a press briefing, saying there were no fatalities. At another time, the army tweeted through there official handle that the news concerning Lekki shooting was “fake news”, a tweet they later denied again

    At other times, they affirm the presence of the military men, but refused that they shot at protesters. The cover-up went on and on…

    Judicial Panel

    To douse the tension, a judicial panel was set up on October 19th, 2020, to look in Lagos, to look into citizens complaints of human rights abuse by men of SARS. The panel, however, after the incident of October 20, 2020, expanded its terms of reference to look into Lekki shooting. According to Punch Newspaper reports, the panel which sat for one year, receiving testimonies of petitioners, witnesses, experts and lawyers,, treated 235 petitions  and awarded N410 million as compensations to 70 victims.  Meanwhile, After back and forth at the panel, Nigerian Army admits deploying live rounds but insists only blanks were used. 

    Lekki Judicial Panel Report & Recommendations

    On November 15, 2021, the Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel of inquiry on the restitution for victims of SARS-related abuses, Lekki Shooting and other matters submitted a 309-page report( Download PDF here) to the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwoolu. The report established that 9 persons were gruesomely murdered by the Nigerian Army, four remain missing, while 48 names were classified as casualties of the Lekki shooting.

    The panel in their recommendations suggests that men of the Nigerian Army excluding Major General Omata deployed to the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, be made to face appropriate disciplinary actions, and/or stripped of their status and dismissed. Also disciplinary actions should be meted out againstMajor General Godwin Umelo and Lt. Col S.O. Bello, for frustrating the panel investigation by their choice of refusing to honour the panel invitations.

    However, the Sanwoolu led government faulted the panel’s report by describing the claim of the panel that 9 persons were gruesomely shot dead as “assumptions and speculations”. Mr Governor disclosed this in a white paper released from his office sequel to the panel submission of their report.

    Repercussion of Lekki Shooting

    The repercussion of this action by the government has continued to feed the rope of distrust between the government and the people. Nigeria as often said is sitting on gunpowder. The actions by arsons, post Endsars protest is only a revelation of the amount of damaged youths we have. Those who have nowhere to call home and vulnerable to politicians to perpetuate their evil course. They were hired severally during the protest to disrupt the protest, hijack it and cause mayhem. Although they failed on several occasions, the Lekki shooting created an opening for these damaged citizens to inflict pain on fellow Nigeria; burning public facilities.  

    Nigeria Needs New Export Goods, With Idris Mamukuyomi | Afriexport

    Joadre Editorial
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    Nigeria Needs New Export Goods, With Idris Mamukuyomi | Afriexport

    Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

    In the first quarter of 2018, Nigeria’s contribution of all crude oil and oil-related products to total foreign exchange earnings was 87.7%. Nigeria’s oil and gas sector accounts for more than 90% of its export revenue. However, in terms of their contributions to the GDP from April to May 2018, agriculture, industry, and services made up 22,86%, 23,18%, and 45.41%, respectively. Thus, the non-oil sector provided 91.45 percent of GDP, compared to the oil industry’s 8.55 percent. As a result, even though the service sector is what fuels Nigeria’s GDP, the oil industry continues to dominate the export market. Idris Mamukuyomi of Afriexport is one of the Nigerians who is taking on the job of making it easier for Nigerian producers to export in today’s Nigeria.

    what fuels Nigeria's GDP
    Copyright: Joadre

    Idris Mamukuyomi encourages rebranding through good practice

    In an interview with Joadre for our Business Magazine – JoadreTRHIVE which is available at the end of 2022, Idris narrated the difficulties Nigerian producers are facing in getting their product exported outside the country. “I will tell you, it’s not been easy. We have challenges in the area of visibility, which is exacerbated by the fact that many people do not trust Nigerians.” And speaking of a way forward outside of this mess, Idris advised that “we need to also talk to ourselves to not mess things up. We need to talk to people in Nigeria, okay, if you mess things up, these are the repercussions we face. This is what some of us have done that has given us this bad image, now is the time for us to right our wrongs and make Nigeria and whatever we are producing here more attractive. Yes, we have some products that are the best in the whole world.”

    Nigerian needs an intensive export promotion, says Afriexport

    Afriexport helps Nigerians export sustainable products
    Idris Mamukuyomi, CEO & founder Afriexporter. Image Isoyor Ufana. Copyright, Joadre 2022

    Idris is saying, nonetheless, that the government appoints competent and experienced personnel to manage export promotion efforts without regard to politics. “I will suggest the government, through NEPC (Nigerian Export Promotion Council), to also take up some other work, not only within the country but even outside. How? By attending some other international conferences, making themselves available to speak about the country. I used to tell them, look, it doesn’t have to be politics at all times. Let us appoint people who have the capability of looking for markets/conferences or anything that has to do with Nigerian products. Making themselves available to liaise with commerce outside of our country to canvass more for African products. As a result, those exporting will have greater access.”

    Making Afriexporter a one-stop shop for the world for anything African Export

    Idris Mamukuyomi

    Idris says the primary objective of Afriexport is “we want to make Afriexporter a one-stop shop for the world for anything African and also create a cross-regional relationship in terms of trade very soon. We’re also dreaming of having a blockchain for Afriexporter” he added that “We need partners that will be able to invest in our projects. Partners that will be able to support trade promotions, and assist us in empowering the SMEs, most especially during our conferences. We are having one in Southern Africa next month and in the following months we should host our annual event in Lagos Nigeria, October, 2022”

    It is time for Nigeria to diversify its exports

    It is undoubtedly time for Nigeria to diversify its exports beyond just those tied to oil. In order to accomplish these goals, distorted factors of both an economic and non-economic nature must be eliminated for export promotion and diversification initiatives to be beneficial for economic growth. Promotion of exports should emphasise manufactured goods in addition to primary production.

    Afriexport helps Nigerians export sustainable products

    Link to afriexporter: https://afriexporter.com

    Get our app, stay in touch and let us help you develop your ideas

    We are going to follow up on this topic and provide you with a list of international trade shows/fairs that you can participate in. With our JoadreTribe App, we would ensure exposure for Nigerian exporters.  Get the app (Android version) here and for IOS users, a webapp version and IOS version is on its way, sign up for our newsletter here to know when it’s out and get the consistent ressources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us  through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers!

    You Need A Business Coach For These 4 Undeniable Reasons

    Samuel Olawoyin
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    You Need A Business Coach For These 4 Undeniable Reasons

    Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

    You may have heard the term “business coaching” before. Maybe you’re curious about what it is, why you need one, and how to go about finding one. For the vast majority of individuals, owning and operating a business is the most gratifying way to earn a living. For others, it is overwhelming and they end up paralysed by indecision and unable to take action. There are so many things to think about, so many choices to make, and so much to accomplish. It’s a lot of work, but it could be a lot of fun as well.

    A business coach is someone who assists you in making your business sail smoothly. They provide you with assistance and advice on how to enhance your business, as well as a sounding board to bounce ideas off of or seek counsel when needed. Let’s look at why having a coach in your corner is so important:

    1. Decrease the learning curve
    2. Boost your Business Confidence
    3. Breed Clarity and Networking
    4. Accountability (this is extremely important!!!)

    Decrease The Learning Curve

    Having a business coach has several advantages. The most crucial benefit is that it enables you to learn rapidly and expand your enterprise. You have someone to talk to about your business when you have a coach. This can assist you in making better judgments and resolving issues that arise. It may be challenging and daunting to start a business and since you are your own boss, you have to figure out what the next logic step is. This is where a business coach comes helpful. With the correct advice and assistance, though, you can get off to a good start. The best way to ensure this is by finding someone who understands small enterprises. A skilled business coach will assist you in identifying your objectives and taking steps to achieve them. Joadre Tribe Sets To Help Small Businesses.

    Boost your Business Confidence

    Most people can pinpoint the precise moment when they chose to start their own company. It was a significant decision, and most of us feel proud to have made it. But what happens when we’re not performing as well as we’d like? Is your business still a source of pride for you? Or are you getting the nagging feeling that it’s time to abandon? When we start a new project or business, we sometimes have high expectations for how much money we’ll make or how soon our goals may become a reality.

    The fact is that Nothing ever goes as planned. That’s because life is full of hurdles, stumbling blocks, and setbacks that put us into action mode just when everything appears to be going swimmingly. The trick here though lies in knowing or getting the right coaching on how best to respond when such things happen, without losing perspective or giving up hope entirely, which may lead down some very dark roads indeed…

    Breed Clarity and Networking

    Although there are never enough hours in the day, there is always enough time to get things done. Clarity is the ability to see things in a clear and orderly way, especially the big picture. Being able to see what is important and what is not. When you have clarity of thought, you can make better decisions about your business. A coach can help you by bringing clarity to your situation. This will enable you to be more effective in achieving your company goals as well as finding solutions to any challenges that may arise. Yeah, you are right! You need a business coach right now!

    Networking is a fantastic method to meet new people and expand your knowledge. Not just any people, but individuals who can assist you in growing your business. Networking is an excellent approach to obtaining referrals, which may lead to additional customers and money for your enterprise. A competent coach can help you develop networking ability and locate partners who can offer resources to grow and manage your business more effectively.

    Accountability

    “You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” goes the adage. This is especially true when it comes to your business. It’s hard to improve if you don’t know what your metrics are, how you’re performing, or how you’re going to enhance your enterprise. A coach is one practical approach that can hold you accountable for your everyday actions, just so you know. This, in the end, aids in the prevention of difficulties such as a lack of true goals or strategies, resulting in a lack of outcomes and progress. Needless to mention that as a result of a lack of accountability, many entrepreneurs are usually unable to complete crucial activities since they believe it is optional. Speaking of accountability, check our latest digital business mag for practical examples.

    Conclusion

    We hope this article has made you understand the importance of having a business coach. You should now know what to look for when hiring one and the benefits that go along with it. At Joadre, we provide a highly sought-after business coaching session. Additionally, you and your team would have access to cutting-edge business tools to help you grow your business and achieve your objectives. Sign up for our newsletter here for more. To contact us, use our contact form or consult us  through the app. 

    You need a business coach.

    Your business needs one.

    Your business doesn’t know it needs one, but it does.

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Samuel

    Development In Africa Needs A Europe Strategy

    Joadre
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    Development In Africa Needs A Europe Strategy

    Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

    For a continent of over 1.4 billion people, amazingly existing mainstream documentations portray Africa to have had a relatively small role in the history of the world. You might have to dig into non-mainstream content to actually learn what role African has played in our human history. In this article on development in Africa, we want to explore our thought process in regards to a vision and strategy for Africa. However we explore from the perspective of small and medium sized enterprises as well as an African strategy for Europe. 

    The Eras, The commerce & the People

    To understand the development in Africa you need to study through the diverse Eras, from the stone age to the digital age. From the development around the Trans-sahara trade to the contribution of the African kingdoms to world commerce. Africa saw a massive cloth production industry around the 16th century as well as a talented crafts sector. Not to mention the human rights and freedom struggle of people like Nelson Mandala, pan Africanist like  Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere. Or Thomas Sankara and Kwame Nkruma to artist and authors like Nobel prize laureate Wole Soyinka.  These development in Africa are just a few examples cited.

    History and today teaches us that we need a vision for development in Africa to be real

    Joadre

    We need a collective vision for development in Africa to be real

    However, it is important not to get carried away with these achievements or think that everything is perfect on this continent today. Given the historic experience and the current conditions in Nigeria as Africa’s most populous nation, it becomes necessary to think of a new strategy towards other continents.  Let us start with Europe and hope that our collective thought process will flow towards the other major continents – Asia and North America, that are strongly entangled with Africa. 

    To ignite our thinking, let’s ponder on this question – What is Africa’s vision? Is there one? This is the very first question that we all as Africans both collectively and individually need to find answers to and tentatively agree on one collectively. It will be difficult though to embark on this process if we allow external influence sto instigate internal conflicts. 

    The past and fallen vision that does not serve Africa!

    Over the centuries, the African population has been strategically pushed towards the role of world’s natural resource supplier and end product consumer. This vision was held alive through the transatlantic slavetrade to the colonial times. But even after the colonial times, new nation states were handed over with the same system and the systems operators who emerged from it. So the vision to remain the worlds cheap ressource supplier and consumer has since still been designated from the onstart and then upheld till date. 

    In the midst of this world-order-model, other continents have had the privilege to gather inspiration (Ideas), develop expertise (Develop) and build capital (Grow) to develop in their own chosen direction. So where do we want to be as a continent? Is the vision self sustainability? Because that would be the first recommendation we would embrace as an SME platform. Allow us to explore Self-sustainability in Africa as a vision for development in Africa and as a strong strategy (intention) for partnership with Europe. 

    What does self-sustainability mean for development in Africa?

    First of all, being self sustainable as a continent does not imply excluding the continent from the rest of the world. Nor does it also not imply restrictive global politics. It simply means that the agenda by all (the 54 African nation states, the hundreds of regional governments, the civil administrations, the thousands of medium/large enterprise located in the continent, the millions of MSME and every African in the contingent and in the diaspora) is channelled towards creating an ecosystem that can uphold itself from within. In everyday terms, whatever Africa requires to be able to create a viable and just society, can be delivered from within Africa. Be it its education, its health, its justice, its spirituality, its trade, its production, its raw materials, its labour, its security, its digital technology, its defence and more. Is this possible?

    Vision: A Self sustainable Africa!

    How do we start this kind of development in Africa? 

    Let us start the development in Africa with authentic Education. What if we could, instead of just producing more students and graduates based on educational curriculum that does not serve the continent, we could reorganise and redesign education to better prepare young Africans for the equity market and labour market. We say equity market because, the current ideology of preparing youths from the labour market is a foreign concept that only serves those who rule the market. 

    What if it was status quo that young Africans be encouraged to own, build their ideas, develop their own trade systems, start their own factories, be the creative inventors they were meant to be rather than remain groomed to sell their time as labour? What if African youths could all become entrepreneurs interconnected, serving one another and creating the strongest decentralised true free trade that ever existed. To free trade, we would debate in another blog. We want to be part of the facilitators for this new kind of education in Africa. 

    Africa’s number 1 strategy for Europe – Authentic Education

    Authentic Education is strategy number 1, after we can agree on the common vision of self sustainability which is step 1. If we can agree on this, they step 2 is to introduce the development of the African self sustainability idea into the to-be developed authentic educational system. For this idea, great minds have to come together from different African countries to define what self sustainability actually means for their country and regions. 

    Is processing your own raw materials the gateway to self reliance? Is diversifying your agricultural sector the key strategy? Is reversing brain-drain the way to go? Is a common renegociation on foreign investment the first step? Is mobilising tradition to the forefront the key factor? What does self sustainability mean for each region and how can these individual specifics interconnect to a common continental strategy? These thought process is not directed to top-level politics for now, but to the grassroot. 

    A justified line of thinking from the schooled

    Now many schooled Africans would suggest domesticating european policies, integrating  european best practices, green deals, practising true democracy and such line of thinking. A justified suggestion since the schooling was also eurocentric. However, why does it always seem so glittering on the other side? Why do we always tend to look outwards for solutions? 

    Have we lost all connection to our own soil? Have we lost the innate human ability to create “policies”, if we call it that, that serves the community? It seems then we have! Except “true democracy” is connected to a check and balance system rooted in African traditions, it cannot work as democracy. Is it not questionable to identify as true democracy if it is foreign to those that are democratised?

    Strategy 2- domesticating European policies!

    Now, let’s actually go this route to truly work towards domesticating. But before that, we have to do our homework, right?  What is European history? How did these policies come about and why? Whom do these policies serve? Can we talk about human rights, when children are working in Congolese mines to get the cobalt for the green technology? Whose world is it that these policies protect?  Europe today is emerging from generations that either were at war, or their grandparents survived the war. There was a strong need for a European strategy to foster some amount of rejuvenation and that requires peace and healing. The healing is still yet ahead. 

    Now Africa has, in the parallel time, emerged from colonial times. So there is the need to create strategies that foster freedom. As you see, the objectives – rejuvenate and freedom, are not the same. How then do we  domesticate European policies? To try, means to truly understand the history and impact of the policies. We would then have to find out if the policies in any way apply to development in Africa. If it applies, it has to be viewed also from the lens of Africa being made up of thousands of ethics tribes. And yes this diversity is strength. It does not in any way divide, except we choose to make that the story.

    At the end, the development in Africa requires, African Terms & condition

    Think equity. When Africa finds natural resources and the world wants it, it then becomes her duty to learn how to process this within the content and sell the world the finished product rather than the raw material. When Africa finds a product that is essential to her population, she must learn how to manufacture them on ground. When Africa finds products or services that is an inevitable import, she must set the terms in the free market, just like the kings of the African kingdom did during the 15th century. 

    As iron became in higher demand and European traders wanted to import iron bars from Europe, the then African kings set the specific measurements for the iron bars to  be allowed as imports from Europe to Africa. These measurement specifics were strictly controlled contrary to today’s policy implementation. For the technological age, the same applies. If you want to sell electronics in Nigeria, you must produce the electronics in Nigeria! For communication, the same applies – our stories, we tell, our stories, we sell. For social media, the same applies –  our network, we create. Ownership or equity opens up partnership with other players from other continents. Experts from foreign lands as well as African diasporas should be engaged in this process.  

    The motto is  – if it cannot be created on ground, do not use it! It sounds controversial, but with this discipline, we might come close to self sustainability soon. Share your thoughts as we want to have this debate with you. To share your thoughts, kindly write us a message using our contact form. 

    Join the community as we develop a grassroot strategy together

    Still with the intention to provide more tools for you, we created our tailored all-in-one app to offer up-to-date knowledge, provide exposure for social entrepreneurs and offer coaching services. Get the app (Android version) here and for IOS users, a webapp version and IOS version is on it’s way, sign up for our newsletter here to know when its out and get the consistent ressources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us  through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Secondary. Education System in Nigeria, Part 5

    Joadre Editorial
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    Secondary. Education System in Nigeria, Part 5

    Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

    Secondary education is an integral part of formal education. This level determines what profession one might want to pursue in life. At this stage, “Student A” will make the decision on whether to pursue a career in law or medicine. How? By deciding whether to attend a science, commercial, or arts class. Therefore, it is crucial for a student at this point to have the correct information. Information such as WAEC/JAMB subject combination for certain programmes at a university. This is not to imply that life wouldn’t have its own unique arrangements, such as physicians becoming fashion designers and attorneys becoming performers. In this part, we’ll examine senior secondary education in Nigeria’s formal educational system.

    Senior Secondary School

    This three-year formal schooling cycle is broken down into SS1, SS2, and SS3. Except for a few Unity schools, which are managed by the federal government, it is overseen by both the state government and private individuals. It is tuition-free for public senior secondary schools, with the exception of the nominal fee for the final exam, which some state governments sometimes also support. The tuition for private schools is determined by the same variables as for other levels of formal education, such as location, facilities, credibility, success story, etc.  There are 3 terms in a session, and the tuition for students attending private schools is paid each term.

    Curriculum used in Senior Secondary

    Eight subjects are required of each student, six of which are core subjects: English, mathematics, one major language, and three from the student’s major, which are divided into the arts, commercial, and sciences. In a tertiary institution, students who majored in the arts typically study courses like law, mass communication, theatre arts, English literature, etc. Arts subject combination would include Literature in English, Government, and any Religious studies. Those who majored in commercial can study courses such as economics, business management, accounting etc. Commercial subject combinations commonly comprise, Economics, Accounting and Commerce. And, those who majored in sciences, with Physics, Biology and Chemistry as course combinations.

    They frequently select medicine and surgery as their top academic choices. Pharmacy, biochemistry, geology, petroleum engineering, and other science disciplines are also in high demand. The sad reality is that if nothing is done, very soon, only secondary school students from private colleges will be able to get the grades required to enrol in programs like medicine and other elite courses in the sciences and the arts. Why? Because crucial learning resources are not available to pupils in public schools.

    End road for the indigent

    The secondary school system is designed to route students into tertiary institutions. For some Nigerians, it is usually the bus stop. Due to a lack of financial resources, they are either compelled to learn a trade or refrain from enrolling in academic institutions. Few people give up because they fail the final exam or, far less frequently, because they lose interest.A common designation for them is “School Cert. Holder.” Since pupils receive the Senior Secondary Certificate at the conclusion of this phase. However, The National Examination Council (NECO) or the West African Examination Council’s required exams must be taken and/or passed in order to even earn the title. If their parents or sponsors are willing, students who are able to earn at least 6 credits in this exam can continue to tertiary education. Read our previous blog to learn more about how Oprah and Malala’s will to strive and be heard inspired us.

    End road for female child

    In some regions of Nigeria, completing school-certificate or O’level exams has long been the end of the road for female students. Some people are even made to get married before this. After completing secondary education, a female child is seen as being ready for marriage. There is a common misconception that female children don’t require schooling. Some people promote this idea by saying that a woman belongs in the kitchen. To put it another way, some parents believe that paying for a woman’s education is a complete waste of money. She would wind up in a man’s house, they exclaim! Females with higher levels of education are also better protected from child marriage, sometimes known as early or premature marriage. To guarantee educational equality for female children, more work must be done. For context, check our blog post Sexual Abuse in Nigeria: The Uwaila Vera Omozuwa story.

    Entry Job for School Cert. Holders

    The military, government, security, etc., as well as private and public organisations may hire holders of this certificate. Although primarily as a driver, salesperson, administrative assistant, or clerical assistant. This is not to say that they can’t venture into business. Exactly why we have handpicked 3 Low Capital Business Ideas for you, in particular

    We will discuss tertiary education in Nigeria in the following issue of this series on the country’s educational system.

    You need templates to develop your ideas, try Joadre Tool. For premium experience using the tools, download Tribe app (Android Version), a tailored all-in-one app to deliver current business knowledge, promote social entrepreneurs, and provide coaching services. For iOS users, a webapp version and IOS version are on the way. To be notified when it’s available and to receive consistent learning resources  via email, sign up for our newsletter here. Need to get in touch? Use our contact form or  schedule consultation via app.

    Cheers

    Joadre Editorial

    More on this topic, read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4.

    How To Write A Grant Application

    Joadre
    -
    0
    How To Write A Grant Application

    Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

    We have already explored what grants are in our 6 key milestone program which you can watch in our tribe app. In this article, I want to take you through an easy grant application writing process. You have local and international grants. Grants are funds allocated by a specific institution or government for a special project goal. They are often with no interest nor do you have to pay back the grant amount. But be careful. You do not have to pay back if you accomplish what you proposed during the grant approval process. Remember, where does this money come from? This is taxpayers money, so be mindful how you deal with it. 

    Grant application prioritises positive social impact

    I want you to remember that many grants focus on creating a social impact. Others are keen to know that profit is not the key driver or if profit making is allowed, the grant must somehow enhance the specific community. The thought process here is to create a common good that more people in the society can profit from. Organisations who give out grants, what these grants to to fund a specific project and require some level of compliance and reporting. The grant writing process involves an applicant submitting a proposal (or submission) to a potential funder, either on the applicant’s own initiative or in response to a Request for Proposal from the funder. Almost all grants are tied to specific results. 

    Local grants

    Local grants are those funds allocated for projects, business or ideas that happen within a specific geographical location which is often the same as where the grant giver and receiver resides. So if you are in Nigeria, a local grant would be either from the local government, foundation or the national government or grant giver. 

    International grants

    International grants are exactly like the local grant I explained earlier only that most international grants are more complex in nature and in application requirements. The target for international grants is for the receiver to carry out a project or idea that benefits an international audience. It is not restricted to the local or national location. Many European and US based institutions have such grants and are obliged to create new ones every year or every 3 to 5 years. See it like this. 

    Many governmental organisations cannot carry out services for every detailed target group, so they contract this service to individual organisations, companies or institutions. Specifically for African entrepreneurs, there are a whole lot of international grants out there but often you will never hear about it except you are somehow connected to a network where you can get this kind of information. But most of these grants are published online and released as what is called “calls”.

    Where do you start with a grant application?

    • Ideation
    • Research
    • Evaluate
    • Study technicalities
    • Write grant
    • Create Budget
    • Submit grant
    • Submit supporting documents

    First of all it is important to come up with a few ideas for a project that you want to do. 

    Then the next step would be to carry out an extensive research around that project idea. Your goal is to llo for both local and international grants that suit your idea. You can use keywords or phrases to search the internet. Another way to search for grants is to join your industry or sector networking events, newsletters or journals. Many grant opportunities are often published  or announced at such spaces. 

    Do not forget private sector

    Do not only search for government grants, but also look at the private sector. Many companies package their Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, or sponsorship as grants. How would you know? Many release a call for submission or for grant applications. Your next step is to read and study the criterias, the mission, the deadlines and information around the grant as well as around the grant application – often this information is separated. There are the grant terms and scope. Then you also have the grant application terms and requirements. 

    Requirements & criteria should not discourage you

    After you have studied these, you can now evaluate your project to see if it fits the mission. You should move to the technicalities later. First you want the vision you have to be suitable for the grant. Unfortunately, grants often do not cut their mission tailored to your own. So you might have to confirm with yourself if both fits. Now at this stage, if the vision and mission aligns, you have to move to the technicalities. Here you should check the requirements. The criterias are very important. Many grants require that you have a legal setup. This means that you are either a civil society organisation registered or one of the different kinds of companies. There are also grants who explicitly fund non-profits. Companies would not stand a chance even if the vision is aligned. Clarify this. 

    If all fits and you meet the criterias, your next logic step is to begin with the grant application writing. Please be sure to have noted the submission deadline as this is crucial. It is always very helpful to already have a kind of business plan, idea canva or project write up before you even start writing a grant application. You can check our idea Canva to get a template of how to compose this. 

    Some grant applications do come as questions. While others simply tell you to submit your own writeup. If you have questions, then thai is a good way to write your application. SImply work towards answering these questions. Answer exactly the questions asked and not beat around the bush with too much information. If you are asked to submit your own writeup without question guidelines, then be sure to create something that combines both our Idea Canva and Pitch deck. This way, you get to cover all the most important questions. 

    Do not forget your numbers!

    Many grants expect you to submit an accompanying budget or finance plan. Finance plan would mean that they also want to see how you will finance the project if you received just a part of the money as grants. Some grants can allow your work-time investment to be calculated in monetary value. Read the terms! You can also call the grant office to speak to one of their officers if you need to clarify information. Use our simple budget template to help you identify what might be suitable to include in your budget. We have another blog on budgeting your idea for one year. Check it out to get some tips. 

    After you have written your application, created your budget or finance plan and it is good to go, submit it. While submitting, make sure to check if you need supporting documents. Supporting documents might be your CV, pictures, referees, bank statement, pitch deck, prototype, pitch video and others. Be sure to have checked everything. So at this junction, let me congratulate you for trying. However, it is important to know that the grant is a 50:50 percentage change. Like I mentioned earlier, it is taxpayers money and there is no binding obligation that you get it. So why waste your time submitting an application? Here are 3 reasons why; 

    1. The process of writing  the application will open questions about your idea and help you fine-tune. 
    2. The process to get a bank loan, trust me, is similar or even more complex. 
    3. If you get rejected for a particular grant, you can also try another grant. 

    Tip to grant application: 

    1. Allow there to be enough time between when you submit and the actual deadline, just in case you will be asked to submit additional information.
    2. If you do not meet the criteria, explore ways in which you can meet the criteria. Do not simply give up. It might mean getting a new partner onboard. 
    3. After you write your application, make sure to give someone else to read. If you do not have someone who can read it, read it aloud to yourself. Use pitch deck template to answer the question of whether your grant application covers all these areas. 
    4. Emphasise why your project ideas is unique and your project is the best fit for the grant. 
    5. Be very careful to read the terms. Some grants require you to invest your one funds into the project and would only fund a specific identified percentage. 
    6. Make sure to visit the grant website if they have one to read through the past grants and project supported. This will give you an idea of what they care about. 

    We would hold a general online grant application process workshop in the future, so make sure to  get our app to get the notification when it is. 

    Get our app, stay in touch and lets help you develop your ideas

    Still with the intention to provide more tools for you, we created our tailored all-in-one app to offer up-to-date knowledge, provide exposure for social entrepreneurs and offer coaching services. Get the app (Android version) here and for IOS users, a webapp version and IOS version is on its way, sign up for our newsletter here to know when it’s out and get the consistent ressources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us  through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre

    How To Start Affiliate Marketing Business

    Joadre
    -
    0
    How To Start Affiliate Marketing Business

    Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

    We are in the age of digital revolution where the traditional business as usual approach is rapidly changing. The good thing here is that the traditional gatekeepers are not in your way, so you can start a business online such as affiliate marketing with literally no social capital a.k.a “connections” requirement. But beware that there are new gatekeepers in the digital space. We will explore this in another blog. This blog is an extensive breakdown of all you need to start your affiliate marketing business.

    Looking for new income streams? Affiliate marketing is one of the fastest and easiest ways to make money online. Even if you have an existing business, affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to add another income stream to your business.  The result you get from this blog is to actually have a blueprint to start today.

    What is affiliate marketing?

    Affiliate marketing is a way for you to earn a commission for recommending products or services to your friends, family, network, work colleagues or even strangers who come across your recommendation. When they buy, the seller pays you a commission. Here are 5 steps to start your affiliate marketing business; 

    • Step 1: Carry out your extensive research
    • Step 2: Product clarity – Define which products you will market
    • Step 3: Build up and infrastructure
    • Step 4: Present the products
    • Step 5: Promotion 

    Step 1: Carry out your extensive research

    To start an affiliate marketing business you will need to do extensive research on companies that will be open to engage affiliate marketers like you and in your region because not all companies sell to where you stay. And not all companies offer an affiliate program. Come up with a list of 10 companies that you will like to promote their product and earn doing so. 

    Research to know which products/services in your target area will sell. Remember that you can sell globally because affiliate marketing is an online business. Google is your friend in this regard – do the GTS “Google That Shit” thing, ask people, read reviews to know the companies that pay their affiliate marketers well without stress.  So your action to do now is to come up with about 20 different products you can start promoting. 

    What kind of companies are you looking for? 

    While some companies require that an affiliate has a website, a vast majority encourage people who do not have a website to use their social media accounts. With this practically everyone can go into affiliate marketing business. Your goal should be to find companies that have an online store where they sell products or services.  These companies want to have traffic directed to their platforms or sites. You should be sure that the company you are looking for delivers promptly and offers a good commission.

    4 Affiliate marketing programs in Nigeria

    Here are 4 companies that Nigerian affiliate marketers can start with –  Jumiang, Cartrollers, Konga, wakanow. To get more companies, research can be done online and also make sure to write to the company of your choice to ask if they have a program. Research can also be done on google and you will see a list of companies where you can register. Was that not easy? This action should take you at most 2 days to accomplish!

    Step 2: Product clarity – Define which products you will market

    With affiliate marketing there are a wide variety of products you can market ranging from webinars, to products on ecommerce sites, to travel packages, hairs, food etc. You are basically showcasing the products the company is selling, however, you have to choose a category that pays higher as most companies have different rates for different categories. With this affiliate marketing, you can work with various companies without breaking a sweat while making money from multiple streams.

    Choose your niche

    You have to choose a niche that is very profitable. The most profitable niches in affiliate marketing are software and digital products. Every niche is profitable however some are more profitable than others and software is one one such as most software companies have lower overhead than physical product companies as one software can serve a vast number of customers without much cost other than your server cost unlike product companies where every time you produce one you are starting from scratch and expending finance and materials. As a result of this softwares and digital products pay more (30-40%)

    Step 3: Build up and infrastructure

    After the whole hussle of researching and understanding who you will sell to. The next logical step now is to send your applications to the companies and develop the strategy to promote the products. Because it is only if you promote and sell you earn. The application process is basically free, as you basically are required to fill the form and click the “submit” link.

    Choose your strategy – blog, YouTube, Facebook

    You can develop your own blog website and push that. Very easy, believe me. Now there are drag and drop tools you can use like WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace and many more. So you do not need programming or coding skills anymore. Say goodbye to website developers. And remember that this is the most sustainable way to go because when you start making money, there are many other ways to generate money from your own blog website which I will share in videos on my Youtube channel. Here are free YouTube tutorials that can actually show you how to do this easily. 

    Link to the free tutorials: 

    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqRMOn5MlW0
    2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJGkxFt_VKU
    3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3I-zhe0eIw

    You can create and launch a youtube channel. This is very easy to do. All you need is a gmail account on google. A third platform you can build is to develop a facebook group for your affiliate business. But be carefull, you want to develop a group that will give value so that many people will join the group right?

    Now let’s get your next todo clear. Choose which of these 3 platforms you want to start with – blog website, youtube channel or facebook group. Remember that after you have your platform, go back to your affiliate dashboard at the company platform and generate the links to the products or services you want to sell, because it is that link that actually tells the company that someone bought through you. 

    Step 4: Present the products

    Start producing value to attract customers to buy

    After creating your platforms, you need to publish content that will attract customers. Do not mistake this activity with promotion. We will get a promotion. The goal here is to make people see the links, the products and services you are promoting right? So produce content that will attract them to want to know more and end up buying. So here is your first 6 content you must produce to start off and have a foundation to go to the next step which is promotion. 

    6 must produce to attract buyers

    1. About you. Introduce yourself. don’t let it be boring though. People want to connect with a lively and authentic person. 
    2. Comparison video – compare the product you want  them to buy and a less good one. So you make your score higher. 
    3. About the product or service you want them to buy.  More on the features and usability. 
    4. How the product or service saved your life. Funny, right, but hope you get what I mean. 
    5. How to use the product and service. Include top xxx reasons why to use the product/service. 
    6. Create a product/Service review

    Wao you see that there is much content to give value and make people really interested in the product/Services. Now your action is to create 6 content for your platform. Remember to also read our blogs on online selling. 

    Tips for content

    1. Use video, pictures and text content. 
    2. Use your smartphone to make videos. Check my video on presentation. Always have the products and services you are selling visible. If it is like a digital product, at least look for a way to make it visible from time to time on the video.
    3. Show yourself using the product or service if possible.
    4. If you start out with our own blog website, you must consider learning how to optimize the blog website for Google to find it when someone types in something similar to what you are selling. This skill is called SEO – Search engine Optimisation. You can watch this video to learn more about it if you are interested.

    Step 5: promotion

    Consistent content push-out is your first tool to get traffic and interested buyers. You can publish blogs on your blog website if you choose that platform, but at least 2-3 times a week. There are best practices to blogging – read my blog on this topic to help you. Your blog could be on any topic as long as it is a topic that will grab the attention of your page visitors. 

    You can also do product reviews as this is one way to draw attention to the product you intend to promote and through this you can easily input a link that customers can click to purchase the item. You can post in young facebook groups consistently. Facebook will need at least one good post per day.  You can vlog (videos blogging) on your youtube channel at least 2 times a week. 

    Use email list to promote

    Now your next goal is to gather people’s email addresses and telephone numbers so that you can build your own marketing list. So make sure to include a space for people to drop in their email on your blog website. Post links of your email listing subscription on facebook group and under each video in your youtube. How do I get an email list subscription link if I do not have a blog website? Go to mailchimp to find out how to do this. Mailchimp is a newsletter platform and is free. You will have the ability to create your own audience and develop emails for them. So you can get your own subscription links to share. 

    Connect with the company and make your dedicated coupons

    At the end of the day, when you stay in touch with the company you are selling their products/service, you will receive new updates about the product you are selling. You should immediately design your own newsletter or email and push out to your audience. You can also develop digital coupons from the company’s platforms and send them to your audience. In affiliate marketing, you can rely on coupons to let your customers get a discount offer and a great deal on a particular product. The amazing thing is that as long as you help people save some money, they are going to keep coming back. At least one email per week is good. 

    Social media is a powerful promotion tool

    You can direct traffic from social media to your platforms. You can generate traffic by first identifying who your target audience is, what they do, what they like, are they educated etc. For instance if you are promoting headphones you should know that your target audience is 1. Mostly males 2. Between ages 16-35 3. They are students or graduates. 4. Unmarried etc. Knowing this will help you when you are running facebook and instagram ads, as you will be asked to choose your target population. Learn more about customer research and data. 

    Pay for traffic to your platform 

    So all of the above promotion methods we talked about so far are more of organic traffic because you do not pay for it. The traffic comes because you are putting our valuable content that people want to consume. Now, there is an option to pay for traffic if you have the money. But I guess you want to start a low cost business, so paying for traffic might not be your best bet at the beginning. However, here is a quick guide on how to pay for traffic.  

    Google and youtube are the best platforms to pay for traffic because they are the 2 largest search engines in the world and owned by the same cooperation. Visit Adwords on google to learn more on how to advertise your platform. Remember that paying for traffic is only good if you have your own blog website. So if you choose a youtube channel, simply pay to promote the video to the target audience. If you choose facebook, simple pay to advertise the group and content to the target audience. 

    For affiliate marketing there really are no costs to be incurred by the affiliate marketer. This is one business you can start up without any capital whatsoever. Now you might be asking yourself if you can use all 3 platforms – have a blog, a youtube channel and a facebook group. Yes you can but you will need more time to invest in all 3 equally to make it work. If time is an issue for you, then pick one. Your action now is to list out all the promotion methods you will use.

    Gears you need to start Affiliate marketing

    A computer: You should have a laptop as this makes it easy for you to access the internet as using a mobile phone can be very tedious. You can get a new laptop for N80,000 and above while fairly used is N60,000

    Internet: For you to do this business you need to have an active data plan. You can get data for as low as N100 for daily plans, N500 for weekly plans and N1000-3000 for monthly plans.

    Gmail account: You should have an email account as this is the medium through which these companies will contact you and this is  very essential for internet marketing, digital marketing and so on. Although there are other email platforms, I advocate gmail because they have a wider reach.

    Cloud Services: With this you can easily save up documents and work on your documents anywhere you are. There are so many paid platforms but it is advisable to work with google docs. Drive. Sheets etc as they are free.

    Power bank: If you are based in Nigeria you will realise that you at one point in time would need a power bank as the power supply is epileptic at best.

    A pen and journal: There is a saying that ‘the sharpest brain is duller than the sharpest pen’ no matter how eidetic your brain is you can remember every detail, this is why you need a journal. A journal not only helps you make plans and set goals, it also helps you capture your ideas.

    A smartphone: This is very essential however, the fact that you are taking this course proves that you already have one.

    Something to boost your creation process: You need to identify the environment in which you thrive, if it is a noisy place then you need to look for somewhere noisy and if it is a quiet place then you need a nice creative spot possibly a park, garden etc.

    Overall Cost listing: 

    • Laptop (fairly used): N60,000
    • Internet: N3000
    • Gmail: Free
    • Cloud Service: Free upto 15Gb
    • Powerbank: N1500
    • A pen and Journal: N1000

    Creative space: Free especially if you can work from home, a garden or a park

    Total: N65,500

    Bonus tip for step 1: Know who you want to sell to.

    Let’s get to do another easy research that you will need to be able to move to the next step. Who are your customers? Those are the people like your friends, family, colleges, strangers you will showcase the product of the partnering company to and they buy. So it depends on the products you choose, you now begin to target the customers that will want that product. Make sure to choose a customer base that you can target. An affiliate marketing business is one of those low capital businesses that can be an avenue for large income generation. We will be doing a series on affordable business ideas you can start up. 

    Get our app, stay in touch and lets help you develop your ideas

    Still with the intention to provide more tools for you, we created our tailored all-in-one app to offer up-to-date knowledge, provide exposure for social entrepreneurs and offer coaching services. Get the app (Android version) here and for IOS users, a webapp version and IOS version is on its way, sign up for our newsletter here to know when it’s out and get the consistent ressources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us  through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre 

    Exploring Critical Yet Contentious Issues: FOCUS #1 Fuel subsidy

    Samuel Olawoyin
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    Exploring Critical Yet Contentious Issues: FOCUS #1 Fuel subsidy

    Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

    When it comes to one of our most basic needs as Nigerians–petrol–it is critical that we maintain a close check on what is going on so that we can demand quality supply and distribution, which will have a beneficial influence on Nigerians’ lives. Fuel subsidy has been a theme for a while now. 

    Unfortunately, we live in a nation where leaders have never been held accountable, despite the fact that the country’s resources may be utilised for the benefit of its residents, thus there is every cause to be worried about what happens to the commonwealth. To put it another way, public oversight is necessary to guarantee that fuel subsidies are only retained for the benefit of residents rather than as a vehicle for politicians to squander, steal, and embezzle money.

    Our journal analyses critical issues

    In order to address the challenges that are holding our society behind, Joadre’s FOCUS Business Journal is dedicated to exploring, analysing, and assessing crucial yet contentious themes in Nigeria, Africa, and the global globe at large. It goes without saying that public scrutiny is necessary to develop a culture of transparency and accountability in our cherished country Nigeria, our dear continent Africa, and the global community at large. We don’t form an opinion for you; rather, we assist you, our reader, in forming a sensible view through extensive study. We’re excited to share our first ever Industry Report with you! Meanwhile, ensure not to miss our digital magazine too. Focus volume 1: debacle of Fuel Subsidy in Nigeria

    Joadre Journal Vol. 1 focus

    In this first issue of Joadre Journal, we explored the subject of fuel subsidy in Nigeria. Yeahhhh! You’ve probably heard the phrase “there’s nothing like subsidies” on the street. Every year, however, the federal government budget is prepared and presented to the National Assembly, with fuel subsidies remaining in place. Some argue that there is something resembling a subsidy. Which side of the argument do you support? Meanwhile, popular outcry erupts every time the government announces the elimination of fuel subsidies. Perhaps it isn’t the fault of the people, there has been too much gaslighting and misinformation around the matter for far too long.

    Open questions pending answers!

    Whatever the case may be, this edition of the FOCUS Journal will help you understand the origins of Nigeria’s fuel subsidy and why it was implemented in the first place. What is the current state of affairs? What is the point of having one? What is Nigeria losing by continuing to pay a high price for subsidised fuel? How have politicians used fuel subsidies as a weapon to further their own ambitions? You could even discover how tough it has been to eliminate fuel subsidy in the country.

    Nigeria’s Federal Government is required under Article 2 Section 16 of the Nigerian constitution to exercise its jurisdiction over the territory “in such a manner as to safeguard the security and welfare of all citizens in Nigeria.” How is Nigeria ensuring the security and wellbeing of the governed, through subsidy? Is Nigeria, in particular, the only country that provides such fuel subsidy? Get your hands on a copy of Joadre Journal right away to learn more!

    Sign up for our newsletter here for more. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us  through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Samuel

    3 Nigerian Top Fashion Designers 

    Joadre Editorial
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    0
    3 Nigerian Top Fashion Designers 

    Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

    Who says fashion is exclusive to Europe and the West? In Lagos, the Nigerian business hub, top Nigerian fashion designers are creating distinctive and creative designs inspired by African traditions. Most people associate Nigeria only with oil. However, Top Nigerian fashion designers such as Duro Olowu, whose line was worn by former US first lady Michelle Obama, are changing the narrative. Other designers, such as Tsemaye Binitie and Kunbi Oyelese, make couture-level pieces that compete in the global fashion market. No doubt, they are becoming a force to be reckoned with in the worldwide fashion market arena today. 

    Duro Olowu

    Duro is amongst top Nigerian fashion designers and is recognized for his products’ vivid colours, well-finished cuts, and antique prints in his creations. Powerful ladies have been drawn to his ingenuity and garment designs, including Michelle Obama, the former first lady of the United States. He’s also well-known for the spectacular Nigerian-style clothing he creates. Therefore, he is one of the Nigerian male designers whose name you should take note of.

    Tsemaye Binitie: Versace’s 80s inspired Top Nigerian Fashion Designer

    From an early age, Tsemaye was inspired by Versace’s 80s frenzy to declare that he wanted to outfit ladies and “the world” in his own irreverently gorgeous manner. He frequently draws influence from traditional Nigerian masks and ritual attire. This talented Nigerian fashion designer specialises in cutting-edge demi-couture women’s apparel that blends high design content with utility. Sharp, sophisticated, and timeless designs are delivered with meticulous cut, luxurious materials, and stylish construction. His designs incorporate dynamic, draped, and body-conscious silhouettes with a strong intent to convey a fresh sense of elegance and modern glitz. No surprising, today, amongst top Nigerian fashion designers, his label is well-known in Lagos, London, and New York, as well as on the global map of modern women’s clothing

    Kunbi Oyelese

    Kunbi Oyelese Kunbi is a graduate of New York’s prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology. April by Kunbi is her very well known company, which was created in 2010 and is named after her birth month of April. Kunbi is not just known amongst Nigerian fashion designers for her magnificent bridal gowns, but also for producing stunning gowns for celebrities like Agbani Darego, Tiwa Savage, Toke Makinwa, Seyi Shay, and others. Within that, Kunbi styles may be found amongst collections that have a vibrant, bright look that the wearer can’t get enough of. 

    We strongly believe that the fashion industry has a great potential to build the Nigerian economy. Back in the 17th century, Africa enjoyed a great boom of cloth production. So massive and prestigious that cloth was used as a currency of exchange, popularly called “Cloth money”. We would explore this history in the future. Get our app to know more. 

    Get our app, stay in touch and let us help you develop your ideas

    Still with the intention to provide more tools for you, we created our tailored all-in-one app to offer up-to-date knowledge, provide exposure for social entrepreneurs and offer coaching services. Get the app (Android version) here and for IOS users, a webapp version and IOS version is on its way, sign up for our newsletter here to know when it’s out and get the consistent ressources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us  through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joadre Editorial. 

    Building Successful Sustainable Startup in Third World

    Samuel Olawoyin
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    0
    Building Successful Sustainable Startup in Third World

    Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

    For a fact, sustainable entrepreneurial behaviour remains a critical engine of development, innovation and growth of a nation’s economy. Taking cue from the key elements contained in its definition,  entrepreneurship entails taking advantage of unexploited opportunities, to achieve wealth creation and economic development. To create and sustain wealth, an entrepreneur must be innovative. Innovation would mean that an entrepreneur is capable of disrupting existing conventional production style, market structures, consumption patterns, and products. 

    However, they are ready to replace them with superior environmental and human-friendly products or services. We must acknowledge that entrepreneurs are critical agents of change in the global effort to solve environmental challenges and achieve sustainability. This article therefore examines how business owners can build a successful sustainable startup in the third world.

    What is a Sustainable Startup?

    In simplest terms, this can be explained as an entrepreneurial project, seeking to develop and concretize a business model that is self-sufficient and has zero negative impact to the ecosystem in which it operates. In achieving this, it employs a strategy that’s conscious of the long term impact of all its business operations on the environment, both natural, economic and social environments. The question is, is it even possible to achieve sustainability in the “third world”? Yes it is possible. How do you go about it? Read further to learn things to do

    • Know your WHY – Have a clear path
    • Build a sustainable culture
    • Encourage community participation
    • Review environmental impact
    • Review your supply chain

    WHY? Have a Clear Path

    If we are to be as realistic as possible, building a sustainable startup is not a walk in the park. To ease the knots, try to have a clearly defined sustainability goal(s). Mind you, it is more realistic to have fewer goals and be intentional about them. Using our own company, Joadre as an example, our own core goal is to foster entrepreneurial culture in Africa. Your own major goal could be to achieve energy efficiency across all your business operations. This will give you ample opportunity to inscribe this goal in your company’s vision and culture. Simultaneously driving the workforce to work coherently at achieving your set targets.

    Build a sustainable culture

    One of the surest formula to achieve a successful sustainable startup in a third world is to involve your employees and the locals around you. One, your vision of sustainability is highly dependent on them. For that reason, your employees would always be your most valuable asset, therefore, invest in a growth culture. A growth culture would mean that you motivate them, reward excellence and allow them thrive within your business. Not only would they be loyal by sticking around, they will also be willing to take on challenges, come up with solutions and  ideas that can drive your business forward. Secondly, engage in human capacity building in your local community. How? Consider hiring employable members of the community in your recruitment exercise. Not only will you have reduced poverty (SDG 1), but also send a message of “we value our local community” to your customers.

    Encourage community participation

    By community, we mean, your employees, customers/clients, all your stakeholders. Get everyone on board, ensure they see the benefit of achieving sustainability. The cheat sometimes is to start with the senior staff. It is believed that the rest of the staff will take cue from them. If you have about 3 sustainable goals, let two senior staff champion two, and let one junior staff lead the third. Involve your customers to be ambassadors of your goals. Let them spread the words in the market. Make good use of the media to get your message out there. Check out our previous post on Media Training.

    Review environmental impact of your business operation

    If you are really intentional about your sustainable goals, you may consider tapping into the indigenous knowledge. Indigenous people are popular for their sustainable usage of environmental resources. For a start, go green! Maybe you’ve been hearing the music of ‘go green’ all this while, and you just aren’t sure of what that even means. Going green involves using renewable materials for your production. It includes being more energy efficient – you save energy cost while helping the ecosystem.

    You also win for yourself a reputation of being a responsible business. If your business is around laundry, you can give your customers reusable eco-friendly bags, instead of plastic. Check out our previous blog on How to Start A Laundry Business In Nigeria #1. You can also encourage greener commuting. Instead of each staff bringing their own car, make available a staff bus. Do you know the environmental impact of 30 staff driving their own personal car to work? You just saved the universe!

    Review your supply chain

    It is essential that you take time to review where your suppliers are sourcing raw material from. Ensure they practise sustainability too. Start by communicating your agenda to them. If they fail to meet your sustainability requirement, research and contract a supplier that shares your vision. Don’t drop the bar you’ve set by patronising a supplier that uses toxic substances, harmful to the environment. You should be interested in following these 4 Sustainable Entrepreneurs and  Enthusiast developing Nigeria.

    To sum all of this up, it is important to let you know that sustainability is not a bus-stop, rather, it is a journey. Don’t think of sustainability as a destination. For a fact, when you achieve one, you take up another, and the journey continues. 

    Get our app, stay in touch and let us help you develop your ideas

    Still with the intention to provide more tools for you, we created our tailored all-in-one app to offer up-to-date knowledge, provide exposure for social entrepreneurs and offer coaching services. Get the app (Android version) here and for IOS users, a webapp version and IOS version is on it’s way, sign up for our newsletter here to know when its out and get the consistent ressources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us  through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Samuel

    Engage In An Emerging Market | Nigeria

    Joadre
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    Engage In An Emerging Market | Nigeria

    The world is rapidly changing. Who ever thought that Europe could experience such a sad event – Russia-Ukraine war, in the 21st century. No one truly knows the future. No place is truly paradise, except we work actively towards creating it every single minute. Exactly now, is it so important to begin to look deeper into more economic partnerships that goes beyond political and high-level global economics. Small businesses, social impact investors, medium sized companies around the world can begin to create a stronger network where their voices may one day count in global decision making. 

    In this article, I want to explore the phenomenon of the emerging market and also invite you to think about your involvement. Before we delve into the topic for this article, it is important to define some very crucial terms and also critically open up some questions. 

    What is an emerging market?

    If you follow Wikipedia definition – An emerging market (or an emerging country or an emerging economy) is a market that has some characteristics of a developed market, but does not fully meet its standards, one would have to understand the standards of the developed market first. What is considered developed and under-developed? Who sets these standards and definitions? Towards what measurements are these set? Well those are questions for another article. 

    Basically, an emerging market is right in between the defined developed market or economy and the underdeveloped economy – a kind of transitional phase or should we say a market in limbo? These emerging economies are said to have a high productivity at a very low income rate. 

    Nigeria is an emerging market according to diverse classification sources

    The term emerging market to define a nation’s economy is widely in use by international entities like the world bank, international monetary fund and diverse institutions in the global financial market and stock market. This term and its definition also sets the classification for many international social organisations. There are however still discrepancies in which country is accepted to be emerging or now, depending on the classification source or instrument. So depending on the source of classification you rely on, you will find Nigeria to be an emerging market. Factors such as the ease for foreign investors to trade in the stock market, to invest by bringing in capital and being able to take out the revenues, all play a significant role in defining if it is an emerging market or not. 

    Emerging markets are still positioned as underdeveloped

    One characteristic of emerging markets is the low income. One question though is that even if there is a high income rate in developed countries, this does not express the high expenditure rate that accompanies it, nor does it tell us about the phycological, cultural or social quality of life of the people. The Kingdom of Bhutan, a country in the Himalayas, is a country that tries to integrate what is called the GNH (Gross National Happiness) rather than solely just his country by its GDP (Gross domestic product). The Gross National Happiness is a term coined by His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck in the 1970s.  

    According to the SDG, the GNH concept implies that sustainable development should take a holistic approach towards notions of progress and give equal importance to non-economic aspects of wellbeing.  Should emerging markets and investors looking at  these markets or economies not think in line with these values? Global financial structures  see markets as economics to be separated from the actual life happiness and standard of the people. If standards are classified or considered, then there should be a strict capital relevant measurement applied. Often this approach is abstract from the true feelings of the people. 

    Learning from experiences of developed economies

    We should begin to take the opportunity to reverse mistakes made by the developed economies seriously. Emerging economies have the opportunity to learn from the experience of the developed economy. How did industrialization bring about positive change? What negative impact and footprint has industrialisation left behind? See west-Europe’s dependency on Russian Oil and Gas, how does this affect impactful anti-war approaches? Can innovation genius be channeled towards more social good or should it be fostered towards the invention of weapons of mass destruction? 

    How should external institutions in all spheres of life  from health, education, tech, energy, finance etc, whose governing bodies or lead actors, which are not democratically elected by the people influence individual country’s politics and the global politics? How can decentralisation strategies become more efficient for economie sto be truly independent and self sustainable? There are countless questions open to answer. This is an opportunity for emerging countries to create their own vision board and strategy for the uncertain future ahead. 

    Income discrepancy is disrupting emerging economies

    Now with digital technology and the ability to further education from Nigeria using online platforms, many Nigerian professionals are gaining extraordinary competence.  But they do not have the environment to fully explore ethier ability and serve. So often the idea to relocate emerges. For example doctors earning far less in Nigeria than in the USA, the results are clear. Over the past decades, many Nigerian doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals have relocated to the USA leading to massive brain drain in Nigeria. 

    Skilled professionals search for high income.

    Opportunity 1 – Investment in affordable services for export

    If skilled professionals in emerging markets earn lower than their counterparts in developed countries, a new digital service economy can emerge. Since the developed markets have a very high income rate, there are many services that skilled professionals in places like Nigeria can render from their country location at a cheaper fee thanks to the internet.  Social impact investors have to assist to develop this infrastructure and platforms on ground. These professionals currently offer their services via already large established platforms, again shifting equity to the status quo. What if local investors can establish a series of such platforms with the ownership equity remaining to a large proportion within the emerging market?

    Opportunity 2 – Entrepreneurship

    Think of it, what if these well skilled professionals could begin to venture into entrepreneurship rather than striving towards best employee status. I know it makes life easy to be rest assured to get your fixed monthly pay by showing up at work and doing your best. But for the general economic development of your country, every single professional has to begin to think about equity. Equity in the sense of building, developing new workspaces, providing new services, investing in new approaches and technology. For this to happen, there has to be a strong evolving social impact investment ecosystem that would enable these bright minds to become inventors. 

    Opportunity 3 – Investment in energy efficiency for emerging markets is key

    Simply look at our analysis in Joadre journal – FOCUS, of the cost of fueling one’s life in Nigeria as an entrepreneur with a family, you will be amazed. Literally over 50% of one’s income goes to energy utility. This shows that the energy dilemma is one area of investment for the market. If these sectors can evolve, it would open the gateway from many other sectors to grow out of underdevelopment.  

    Understanding the cultural, society dynamic

    But before you venture into an emerging market it is important to understand the socio-cultural dynamics. The entrepreneurs and consumers on ground do not play solely by the rules of the developed markets or global financial institutions. They act in real time, therefore their own social relationships and dynamics influence the decision making as well as access. It starts with little things like supply chain reliance, public relation to networking and government legislations. 

    Your own standards, but listen to the merging market speak

    You as an investor can come in with your own set of standards, that may work in your origin economy. These standards have to be stored in a safe  space first and you have to learn the dynamics of the emerging market first to see how you can readapt your structures and standards. As much as we tend to rely on statistical data and analysis to make decisions, it is important to meet people where they are and integrate their perspectives into the decision making process. 

    We at Joadre are here to help

    At Joadre, we offer a 2-day intensive program, that helps social impact entrepreneurs and investors readapt their ideas to meet the new market. Apart from us, many countries offer a trade mission trip to these emerging markets or organis what they call an export day or trade fair. This is a first step to peep into the dynamics of the market. However, if your visit revolves around high-level mediated meetings, you might not have a glimpse into the real market. 

    Integrate sustainable approach. 

    Far more important is also the idea of sustainability. We now know that over consumption of sugary products combined with bad fat leads to health problems. Many companies in the developed economy have made a fortune using this nutrition combination in the FMCG goods. Is it then appropriate to explore this same approach as a nutrition company looking to invest in an emerging market? Can you become that courageous company who employs a humane approach and still work towards generating income? This is true innovation. Innovation that serves humanity.  

    Set your intentions towards sustainability

    At the end, you will see that venturing into what is called today emerging markets is a beautiful way to bring more sustainability into our global ecosystem. We have seen the mistakes and the great works in developed markets. Therefore, we can choose to create an investment approach that makes a positive impact. Key is to respect the dynamics, adapt your approach and think sustainable. Do not be the teacher, be a seeker. These are crucial steps – finding the right partners beforehand, getting business guidance, engaging a pilot ecosystem to readapt our product, dedicate finance and make time to engage fully in your first move in an emerging market.

    Get our app, stay in touch and lets help you develop your ideas

    Still with the intention to provide more tools for you, we created our tailored all-in-one app to offer up-to-date knowledge, provide exposure for social entrepreneurs and offer coaching services. Get the app (Android version) here and for IOS users, a webapp version and IOS version is on its way, sign up for our newsletter here to know when it’s out and get the consistent ressources via email. If you need templates to develop your ideas, you can check our Joadre Tools. If you want to contact us, use our contact form or consult us  through the app. 

    Thank you for reading to the end. 

    Cheers

    Joana

    Why Every Entrepreneur needs to be Public Speaker

    Samuel Olawoyin
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