The Nigerian many Conferences and workshops Dilemma: All Talk, Talk, No Action
Dr. Enoch Oyeduntan
In Nigeria, there’s no shortage of conferences, seminars, and discussion panels. Every week, it seems, there’s another grand event with big banners, eloquent speakers, and fancy venues. Yet, with all this talking, there’s little to show for it. It’s like a never-ending Nollywood movie: lots of drama, but no real action.
Take a stroll through the conference rooms of Abuja, Lagos, or Port Harcourt. You’ll find a parade of smartly dressed professionals, government officials, and business moguls exchanging handshakes and business cards. They sip on complimentary drinks, nodding earnestly as speakers wax lyrical about Nigeria’s potential. But after the lights go out and the last PowerPoint slide fades, what really changes?
Let’s break it down, Naija-style. The first problem is that we love to talk, but we don’t like to act. We make grand declarations at these events, promising the moon and stars. “Nigeria will become the next global tech hub!” “We will eradicate poverty by 2025!” These statements are inspiring, but they often end up as just that—statements. There’s a big gap between what we say and what we do.
Another issue is that these events often turn into a show of who’s who. People attend to be seen and to network, not necessarily to solve problems. It’s a social event masked as a professional one. You see people posing for selfies more than they’re jotting down actionable plans. It’s more about the Instagram posts than the impact.
Let’s not forget the cost. These events are expensive. Hotels charge a fortune, speakers demand hefty fees, and let’s not even start on the endless tea breaks and buffets. All this money could be better spent on real development projects. Imagine if we took half the budget for these conferences and invested it directly into local communities or small businesses. The difference would be immediate and tangible.
And what about the follow-up? Or rather, the lack of it. We have beautiful reports and recommendations that are meticulously written and then promptly forgotten. They gather dust on office shelves or are buried in email archives, never to be implemented. It’s like cooking a delicious meal and leaving it on the table to rot instead of serving it.
There’s also the issue of representation. The same set of people dominate these gatherings—politicians and CEOs. But where are the voices of the everyday Nigerian? The market woman in Kano, the ”Shoe maker” in Aba, the tomato seller at Oshodi Market and the farmer in Benue—these are the people who deal with Nigeria’s challenges firsthand with practical insights and solutions, yet they are rarely invited to the table.
Then there’s our good old friend, bureaucracy. Even when solid ideas come out of these conferences, they often get lost in the maze of paperwork and red tape. Corruption and inefficiency ensure that well-intentioned plans never see the light of day. It’s like trying to drive a Ferrari through Lagos traffic—you’re not going anywhere fast.
So, what’s the way forward? First, we need to hold ourselves accountable. It’s not enough to talk; we need to act. Follow-up mechanisms should be in place to ensure that the ideas discussed are turned into reality. Regular check-ins and progress reports should be mandatory.
Second, we need to make these events more inclusive. Invite people from all walks of life, not just the usual suspects. Diverse perspectives will lead to more comprehensive solutions.
Third, we should focus on smaller, more practical steps. Grand visions are great, but they need to be broken down into manageable actions. Start with what we can achieve now and build from there.
Finally, let’s cut the waste. Streamline these events, cut unnecessary costs, and redirect those funds to actual projects. It’s time to make every naira count.
In the words of Reuben Abati, “The problem is not that we lack ideas or that we do not know what to do. The problem is that we talk too much and do too little.” Let’s move from talk to action, from promises to results. Nigeria doesn’t need more conferences; it needs more doers. Let’s be the change we want to see.
So, the next time you attend a conference, remember: It’s not about how much you say, but how much you do. Let’s turn our endless discussions into real, lasting change. After all, Naija no dey carry last.
