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In Nigeria, Still African Time

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African time

By Prince Charles Dickson PhD

How many times have you heard the phrase “No African time” and maybe if you naively wondered, what is African time? “African time” is a colloquialism that refers to the cultural tendency in some African countries, including Nigeria, to have a more relaxed attitude towards time and punctuality.

While it’s difficult to quantify the exact amount of time wasted due to “African time,” here are some common scenarios that might give you an idea: Meetings and events starting 30 minutes to several hours late (In fact, if it starts 30 minutes late, it is considered an early start). Social gatherings and parties beginning later than scheduled, delays in responding to messages or returning calls, and crass ineptitude characterized by some ridiculously flexible attitudes towards deadlines and time commitments

Keep in mind that “African time” is a stereotype, and not all Nigerians (or Africans) adhere to this cultural phenomenon. Let me state that many individuals and organizations prioritize punctuality and respect for other people’s time, but they are few in comparison.

Let’s dive deeper into the concept of “African time” and its cultural significance in Nigeria.

The term “African time” is believed to have originated from the colonial era, when Western colonizers imposed their time-keeping systems on African societies. This disruption of traditional time-keeping practices led to a more flexible attitude towards time.

The manifestations of “African Time” in Nigeria

  1. Flexibility: Time is viewed as a flexible concept, rather than a rigid framework. For instance:

    – A meeting scheduled for 10:00 AM might start at 11:30 AM, with attendees trickling in at their own pace.

    – A friend might ask to meet up at 5:00 PM, but show up at 6:30 PM, expecting you to still be available.

  1. Relaxed attitude: People may prioritize social interactions and relationships over punctuality. For example:

    – A family gathering might be scheduled for 2:00 PM, but the host might not mind if guests arrive an hour or two late, as long as they come with a warm smile and a willingness to socialize.

    – A colleague might show up late to a meeting, but make up for it by bringing a plate of freshly baked pastries or a bouquet of flowers.

  1. Adaptability: Nigerians often adapt to changing circumstances, including unexpected delays or setbacks. For instance:

    – A sudden rainstorm might cause a traffic jam, forcing you to arrive late to a meeting. Instead of apologizing profusely, you might simply shrug and say, “Ah, the rain caught me!”

    – A power outage might disrupt a wedding reception, but the guests might simply laugh and continue celebrating by candlelight.

– A wedding reception might be scheduled for 12:00 PM, but the food might not be served until 3:00 PM.

    – A birthday party might start at 5:00 PM, but the cake might not be cut until 7:30 PM.

Painfully, this attitude strays and influences not just various aspects of daily life in Nigeria but very important aspects, imagine where start times may be delayed, and punctuality is not always expected at a doctor’s appointment, scheduled for 9:00 AM, but the doctor might not see patients until 10:30 AM. A business meeting might start 30 minutes late, but the attendees might spend the first 15 minutes chatting and laughing together.

In Nigeria, “African time” has significant implications for politics and governance, and this was the point I had said I was coming to;

  1. Flexible Schedules: Government meetings, events, and even court proceedings often start late, with attendees trickling in at their own pace.
  2. Delayed Decision-Making: The flexible attitude towards time can lead to delayed decision-making, as officials may not feel pressured to meet deadlines.
  3. Inefficient Bureaucracy: The concept of “African time” can contribute to an inefficient bureaucracy, where tasks are completed at a slower pace.
  4. Lack of Accountability: The relaxed attitude towards time can make it challenging to hold officials accountable for their actions and decisions.
  5. Cultural Expectations: In some cases, “African time” is seen as a cultural expectation, where punctuality is not always valued.

On the last point above, rather than assume, I would preferably ask, how many times have you seen a top government official, a governor or a minister arrive early, or on time for a meeting, even whether business or social, it is seen as demeaning for the official or dignitary to be at the venue early or on time.

We have seen election delays like the 2019 presidential election, which was delayed by a week, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) citing logistical challenges. We have been served ‘breakfast’ of Budget Delays, as the Nigerian government has consistently failed to meet its budget deadlines. Let me not even delve into the perennial delays in infrastructure, where the construction of major infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges, often experience significant delays, with some projects taking years or even decades to complete or never completed.

The concept of “African time” in Nigerian politics and governance poses several challenges, we care less about the economic consequences of delays and inefficiencies, including lost productivity and revenue. The relaxed attitude towards time erodes trust in government institutions and officials, and how it leads to inefficient service delivery, including delayed or inadequate healthcare, education, and other essential services.

As Nigeria continues to modernize and integrate into the global economy, there is a growing recognition of the importance of punctuality and time management, I have seen the widespread use of digital technologies increasing awareness of time and promoting more efficient time management.

Interactions with people from other cultures have encouraged Nigerians to adopt more rigid time-keeping practices, Nigerians will still have a way of arriving at the airport late, but will seldom go for a VISA interview late and it speaks volumes.

To address the challenges posed by “African time,” it is essential to promote a culture of punctuality and respect for other people’s time. This can be achieved by implementing efficient systems and processes, fostering accountability, and encouraging citizens to prioritize punctuality.

In conclusion, “African time” is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that reflects Nigeria’s cultural heritage and historical context. While it presents challenges, it also painfully promotes flexibility, adaptability, and strong social relationships. By understanding and addressing the challenges posed by “African time,” Nigeria can promote a more efficient and effective governance system, ultimately benefiting its citizens and promoting economic growth and development.

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Obasa Makes First Appearance at Lagos Assembly After Impeachment

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mudashiru obasa

By Adedapo Adesanya

Mr Mudashiru Obasa made his first appearance at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex on Thursday, February 27, 2025, after he was impeached as the Speaker on January 13, 2025.

The former speaker entered the chamber flanked by armed and uniformed security operatives, who ushered him into the premises.

Business Post reports that Mr Obasa was welcomed with an ovation by his supporters and well-wishers

The politician was welcomed at the entrance gate of the Assembly Complex.

The 40-member House removed the Agege I representative as Speaker by more than two-thirds of the house over alleged misconduct and corruption offences.

Mr Obasa’s then deputy, Mrs Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new Speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the South-West state.

With her emergence, Mrs Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency I, ended the 10-year reign of Mr Obasa on the seat.

Mr Obasa was first elected into the House in 2007. He has been in the chamber since then. He emerged as a speaker in June 2015 before his removal in January 2025. He is believed to have the strong support of President Bola Tinubu, who reportedly asked for his return and the resignation of Mrs Meranda.

It is not immediately clear what the next development will be with his return to the chamber, but Mrs Meranda has about 36 members of the state parliament as loyalists. They have all supported and passed a vote of confidence on her, insisting that Mr Obasa has no room to return to the position despite claiming he was not lawfully removed from office.

Last week, some agents of the Department of Security Services (DSS) and legislative workers clashed in the chambers.

The incident led to 36 lawmakers passing a vote of confidence in Mrs Meranda, who was teary-eyed.

Meanwhile, the police had earlier allegedly withdrawn all the escorts attached to the speaker.

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EFCC Laments Crypto Funding of Fraud Syndicates’ Cells

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edcc

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, says organised foreign fraud syndicates are establishing cells in Nigerian cities and recruiting youths into serious organised cybercrimes, made easy by cryptocurrencies.

This was disclosed by the anti-graft agency in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mr Dele Oyewale, on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Olukoyede said this while receiving participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 18 of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the team was led by the institute’s Director of Studies, Mr Hyginus Ngele, to the commission.

Mr Olukoyede expressed surprise at how bandits and insurgents were able to sustain their activities in the country over the years.

He noted with concern, the rate of flow of small arms and light weapons across the borders and the involvement of non-state actors in the illegal exploitation of minerals in parts of the country.

The EFCC boss said all these activities compounded the threats in the security landscape.

“Another dimension that is not given attention is the discovery, recently, that organised foreign fraud syndicates are establishing cells in Nigerian cities.

”They are recruiting young Nigerians into serious organised cybercrimes, including cryptocurrency fraud.

“By the virtue of EFCC’s recent discovery, we are beginning to see the likelihood, the propensity that a lot of these people are into illegal importation of arms into the country using cryptocurrency as means of payment.”

According to him, this is an area that must interest all and sundry.

“In the special operations we carried out in Lagos recently, we arrested 194 foreigners in the heart of Victoria Island.

”They comprised Chinese, Filipinos, Eastern Europeans, Tunisians and among others in one building at a time. You can imagine what these guys are doing, 194 of them.

“Some of them don’t even have valid visas and most of the financial activities they carried out were through cryptocurrency,” he said.

He said the commission also discovered that some of the foreigners arrested were already ex-convicts in their countries.

“Some of them have been convicted and escaped from their countries and found safe haven in Africa, not only Nigeria.

“We discovered that they are also developing cells in some other African countries by virtue of the investigation we are carrying out,” he said.

The EFCC boss called for spirited efforts at both national and continental levels to combat the menace of internet fraud.

He stressed that the money laundering and national security dimension of the presence of foreign organised crime groups demanded close scrutiny.

“All security, intelligence and law enforcement organisations in Nigeria and indeed Africa, must close ranks in dealing with this challenge,” he said.

On his part, the NISS commandant, Mr Joseph Odama, who spoke through Mr Ngele, praised Mr Olukoyede’s leadership of the EFCC for the commission’s “remarkable achievements in combating corruption, money laundering, and other financial crimes.”

He noted that the achievements had not only strengthened Nigeria’s integrity but also served as a model for other nations in Africa and beyond.

He said the EFCC, under Mr Olukoyede, had been at the forefront of investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, including those involving non-state actors.

“Your commission’s exploratory activities have uncovered the intricate networks through which some NGOs and other entities channel funds to support hostile non-state actors, thereby, fueling instability in various parts of the country and the African continent.

“We recognise the critical role the EFCC plays in disrupting these networks and ensuring accountability.

“In light of this, we are particularly interested in hearing your insights on how your commission navigates the complexities of investigating and prosecuting cases involving non-state actors.

“We also seek your contributions on how Nigeria and other African nations can strengthen legal and institutional frameworks to address the challenges posed by these actors while promoting transparency and accountability in their operations.”

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NSCDC Intercepts 1,571 Litres of Petroleum Products in Zamfara

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NSCDC Fake Recruitment List

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intercepted 1,571 litres of petroleum products in the Northern state.

According to the security outfit, the products were illegally transported in jerry cans to banditry-prone areas.

The State Commandant, Mr Sani Mustapha, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Umar Muhammad, revealed that four suspects were arrested in connection with the crime at two separate locations.

Among them were two filling station pump attendants and two buyers apprehended in the Birnin Magaji and Tsafe Local Government Areas of the state.

Mr Muhammad disclosed that aside from transporting fuel from unauthorised locations, the suspects also violated the Executive Order prohibiting the sale of petroleum products in jerricans within Zamfara State.

He stated that two of the suspects were caught in Birnin Magaji with 1,296 litres of fuel, while the other two were arrested in Tsafe with 275 litres of the product.

“Today, we bring before you four suspects apprehended for illegal dealings of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in large quantities, violating the National and State Executive Order of petroleum products sales to retailers in jerry cans,” he stated.

The NSCDC assured citizens that investigations are ongoing and reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the law to curb illegal fuel diversion and activities that could aid insecurity in the state.

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