Thread by @toluogunlesi

Is there a way for Naija Tech startups to tap into the pool of people who’ve (meritoriously) retired from senior positions in the public service and military? These guys are some of the most knowledgeable and experienced folks you’ll find anywhere. (1)

These guys obviously don’t code or know the contemporary industry lingo, but they understand processes and systems, have run large complex organizations, possess extensive networks, can see pitfalls & understand policy & Govt (very important, will become even more important!) (2)

Some of the most brilliant, educated, insightful Nigerians you’ll find are in or retired from the military /Perm Secs / Heads of MDAs. These people are often off-radar, by which I mean they’re not household names, & not the 1st options to come to mind for staffing startups.

In a society where old and young somehow always conspire to be at odds with one another, I think younger generations are shortchanging selves by not trying to more actively tap into what this retiring generation of public sector workers represent.

Forget tech startups for a sec. There has to be a way of aggregating knowledge & experiences of these people, and packaging it in useful formats that can deliver value across industries. Sure there’s a lot to be learnt from say a retired Admiral who ran warships for years.

Trust the Americans. Packagers par excellence. This is where they thrive best. No experience, no knowledge ever wasted, regardless of how old you might be, or how niche that knowledge or experience might be.

And for people that say oh but public service is corrupt, let me say this: public sector corruption in Nigeria is LEARNING WORK next to private sector. The most significant EFCC conviction of 2021 was a former Bank MD, for stealing N25 BILLION. Public sector ppl no dey tief 25B.

Yes public sector corruption is significant, but so is private sector. And there’s always the danger of a single story, allowing one narrative to wholly define. There are many people in public sector, like in private, who are competent and honest, and full of value.

Anyways. Thinking aloud. I sense possibilities around this. Thanks for gathering around to listen.