Taming Time In Naija
By Chidinma Kalu
Editor
In Nigeria, where the hustle is real from the bustling streets of Lagos to the crowded markets of Onitsha, the art of managing time is crucial for everyone—whether you’re a trader, a student, or a government worker. The daily grind can be relentless, with everyone running their race against the clock. As they say here, “Time no dey wait for anybody,” a reminder as sharp as the blare of car horns in Lagos traffic that time waits for no one.
Take Tessy, for instance, whose life in Abuja offers a vivid snapshot of this struggle. She’s torn between the grind and the need to unwind. The saying “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” rings as true in Benin as it does anywhere. But here, the reverse is equally daunting—too much chill can make Jack a broke boy. Tessy’s tale is a daily reality for many, illustrating the tightrope walk between earning a living and living at all.
The challenge in Nigeria isn’t just about filling the hours but doing so wisely amidst the unpredictabilities—be it traffic jams in Lagos, sudden downpours in Benin, or the infamous market hustling that can lock down Onitsha and VIP entourage that often lock down Abuja. Michael Altshuler’s words hit home: “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” This saying captures the essence of taking charge amid chaos.
Effective time management in Nigeria might look different depending on where you are. It’s about being more clever than the traffic that can trap you for hours on the Third Mainland Bridge or planning your market runs in Onitsha to avoid the peak hours when the streets are jam-packed.
Advising like a seasoned elder, Benjamin Franklin’s old wisdom, “Do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of,” transforms into the street-savvy Nigerian counsel: “Time na money, my brother.” It’s about knowing that every hour spent stuck in a go-slow is an hour not spent making money or being with family.
Taming Time In Naija. For folks like Tessy and many of us, prioritizing and time blocking are not just productivity hacks but survival strategies. It’s about choosing the right battles—when to hit the road, when to hunker down for some serious work, and when to simply pause and catch your breath. As they say, “You no fit run past your shadow.” This means you have to pace yourself wisely to keep up without burning out.
The art of saying no is a crucial skill on these shores. Not every invitation to Owambe or every casual hangout can be honored when there are bills to pay and goals to meet. Learning to prioritize tasks that advance your goals over urgent but less important demands is vital. Tessy, for instance, might need to choose a quiet weekend of study over another social outing if she’s to graduate with honours.
Taming Time In Naija. Navigating time in Nigeria is about mastering the art of juggling the demands of life without dropping the ball. Remember, “Time is like a river; you cannot touch the same water twice.” As we wade through daily challenges, how we manage our time today shapes the riverbanks of our tomorrow. By embracing smart time management, we not only keep our heads above water but also chart a course toward less turbulent waters.
One of the issues with students, especially teenagers, of our age is the misuse of time. Most students prefer to spend their time scrolling aimlessly down the streets of internet. While this is a good way to destress and have fun, the over dependence of our students on their phones leads them to mismanage their time.
Mismanagement of time as a student is one reason we have many half baked graduates on the streets. If something is not done to teach these people how to tame their time, there’ll be danger.
Thank you for this educative reminder, Chidinma.
Wow awesome story