Written on January 1, 2026
It is the first day of the second quarter of the 21st Century. Hello world!
2025 was an interesting year in the sense of new restarts. It was the year things started were ended and new things restarted.
For me it was professionally significant as it marked the twentieth year of post-graduation career, which also saw my emergence on the exact anniversary of that graduation as a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. This was extremely fulfilling. Now we are called to mentor younger engineers- deliberately.
Travel- As you all know, my love for traveling can never diminish. Top new countries visited in 2025? Monaco, Croatia, Benin Republic and Sierra Leone, where I’m blogging presently as I spent the last days of the year here.
Why Sierra Leone? Well I have familial connections because my sister despite haven never visited here, is married to a native of this land for almost 17 years. They’re genuinely warm and affectionate people in all my dealings with them and further proven since I have visited. But much leaves to be desired in terms of converting their potential as a small country compared to say Benin Republic, Nigeria’s Closest neighbour we just rescued from the jaws of a military coup that seems to have taken some page off the books of Rwanda the efficiently run patriotic autocratic state, and say Monaco that tiny principality of France where I smoked the most expensive Shisha (Hookah) in the world at $250. Gracious!
Books- as for 2025 and Books, favorite literature was the book My Nigeria, I re-read Straight to Hell memoirs of a Walk Street Junkie and read after so much postponement the memoirs of Rtd Major Debo Basorun’s Book- Honour for Sale, about working with the Evil Genius, which contrasted with IBB’s book ironically named “A Journey In Service “ . It was interesting reading Major Debo's book with my dad;s version and all his markings. Though gone nine years now, it is crazy how we read alike an his thoughts could easily have been mine! Insight. Legacy.
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...and of course African Ngenuity written about yours sincerely and our work at LoftyInc Group.
You should pick the book. It has a significant part of 18 years of my 20 years professional journey focused on the world of my business of pioneering innovation across Africa. Worth the read
National Front- after the urgent national assignment, it is the season of deep networking. As we take stock of what we have built and we see the National economy on a more modern footing, 2026 has to be the year of positioning for growth. Electorally, the field of contest is open this new year but one must also focus on positioning than ever. A word is enough for the wise.
Africa Economic Outlook- Key markets continue to look interesting. Nigeria. Egypt. Kenya. Francophone. Took it on the chin in the last couple of years as they undertook painful orthodox market reforms. Time to reap. I will be more aggressive on Congo, Zambia and Benin republic this year if you ask me.
Will I blog much this? Well, watch this space
