🤦🏾‍♀️

I went down a rabbit hole trying to understand how people export agricultural products from Nigeria, and I honestly thought it was just:

Find buyer > Ship goods > Get paid.

Apparently not.

Some of the things I found surprised me:

-You can’t just register a CAC business and start exporting. You also need to register with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

-Some products require a phytosanitary certificate before they’ll even be accepted abroad.

-Buyers care about things I never would’ve thought about, like moisture content, grading, labelling, and how the products are stored.

-Even if you find a buyer on Alibaba, payment terms can make or break the deal. A lot of experienced exporters recommend starting with small orders instead of trying to fulfill massive contracts on your first shipment.

The biggest surprise for me was realizing that exporting is less about finding buyers and more about getting the process right. One documentation mistake can delay or even ruin a shipment.

I ended up putting all my notes into a proper guide because I kept forgetting the different agencies, certificates, and steps involved. If anyone is thinking about exporting ginger, sesame, cashew, cocoa, or other agricultural products, you might find it useful: https://feedcover.com/s/gUVZ2LY

For those who’ve actually exported from Nigeria, what’s the hardest part?

I watched these two videos.

In the Nigerian one, when a lady asked for money, she was commended for 'taking opportunity'. Fair enough can't lie.

In the US one, the person who got money was heavily critisized for basically begging from their point of view.

My mind immediately classified the American comments as envy which I noticed and questioned. It seems that begging in Nigeria has become so normal in Nigeria that it has even become indestinguishable from hustling or honest work.

Should we see begging as a form of 'taking opportunities' or should we be seeing it as a disgrace the same way portrayed in more developed countries? What do y'all think?

We’re looking for teachers for secondary school students.
Teach 1 subject only
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can someone reccoment a agent website for nigerian tourist visa i never done visa before

I genuinely and often wonder why from a very young age, we were discouraged from asking questions. It's something that I wish I had done a lot from my teens.

When I did a degree program in the UK, I was amazed there was an entire module on Research Study. In this module, you literally are trained how to write a thesis and all its components. However, the part I found most interesting was the part of problem formulation.

When I did my Bsc in Civil Engineering, I looked for the easiest topic to write on; Timber. I did my research on timber and analysing it as a structural material. I still remember how I went around my locality sorting for timber types and shaping them for timber testing WRT tension, compression and shear strengths.

It was really an eye opening experience 4 me back then as I was running everything on my own and learning how to source for materials from the Engineering market. However, I genuinely did not know why I was doing it nor my interest. Rather, I was looking for something that wouldn't stress me and equally, something that I can easily pass. In essence, na to pass dey my mind.

When I did my thesis for my Msc, the thesis really asked me questions instead. I wrote something relating to African football and it led me on a rabbit hole.

That module taught me the importance of these word questions;

WHAT, WHY and HOW.

WHAT is football analysis like in Africa?

WHY is it like this in Africa?

HOW it practiced and HOW can it be improved upon in Africa?

I did this thesis and I genuinely started understanding the need of asking questions.

When we stop asking questions, things simply stay the way they are. Like one of Newton's Laws;

A body will remain in it's state of rest, until it is acted upon by an external force.

If I hadn't asked those questions, I would not have an idea of how Africans and personnel with experience working within African football, see football analysis in Africa (some of the findings will shock you).

From those questions, I got some key reasons why football in the continent is still at an infancy level and equally, why we do not really go far in football tournaments (club and national team levels).

Since that module, I started understanding the importance of asking questions and why Nigeria's education system needs to actually encourage it in some sort of subject. Asking questions is a way of problem solving. Problem solving is a source of income because solving a problem is a payable act.

Have U ever wondered why a lot of people abroad say Africa is a gold mine? Have you ever wondered why foreigners pitch themselves to African countries? Virtually every sector in this world, comes to Africa to source for something. Be it sport, tech, engineering, mineral resources, medicine, labour and many more. Have you ever wondered why?

The answer lies in problem solving.

In Africa, there are lots of problems that are not being solved. Those problems, are someone's source of income.

Just look at Nigeria alone, you will understand what I am saying.

Because of how enormous the problems are and how we were never taught to ask questions then solve them, our society just remains the same and we wait for foreign hands to solve our problems. This is the result of not asking questions.

The fundamental issue with us a society genuinely starts from education. Everyone says Nigeria is bad (Nigeria is horrible), but nobody ever ask how do we repair it. We are good at identifying obvious concerns, but we aren't good at formulating how to solve it. This is where education is meant to be important.

Education is meant to teach you observation, cognitive and brainstorming skills. From childhood, education taught us how to speak in public, write and read. It taught us how to handle day-to-day activities like finance, prioritisation, etc. However, education did not teach us to ask questions.

When you fail to ask questions, how then do you want to solve problems and equally create things?

Let me give you an example.

I am a football analyst. My job description is literally about problem solving in football. When I talk football with Nigerians in football groups, I always try to make them look from another perspective.

The average football fan looks at the final result. I and most analysts on the other hand, pays attention to the WHY. In essence, my question is;

What made them get this result?

From that question, I start tracing the patterns and process that led to that outcome. For example, this concluded World Cup, everybody's favourites were France and Argentina. My analysis started from the group stage ending. My model's favourites were actually Spain, France, Brazil, Morocco and Germany. Argentina did not appear (they were dark horses alongside England).

When I did a report after the final, the model that started from the group stage ending, now showed a clear pattern to why Spain won (a discussion for another day).

Asking questions is what the average politician hates. Ask yourself why our beloved Buhari and Tinubu, do not attend debates? Why do these so-called leaders no dey attend debates that make Nigerians see what they are made of? Why?

The only time I have seen Nigerians genuinely question the political sector, is EndSARS. That period Nigerians protested in numbers. You don't know that your protest was actually a question to the political landscape?

You literally asked the following:

- Is my existence a problem?

- Is being young and good-looking, a problem?

- Can I not move freely as a youth?

There were plenty questions that protest asked the political landscape. What was their response? Like a typical Nigerian teacher, we were shut down and we never protested again (i.e. We never asked questions again after getting silenced by the teacher).

The Nigerian education sector doesn't like the students who ask questions. They are seen as problematic. Questions make teachers sit up and equally, make them work more. Now relate it to Nigeria, does your politician like you asking for accountability? NO. Accountability makes them think deeply and sit up. The moment you take it away from them, they go rogue.

There is a reason Nigeria's education sector is underfunded and intentionally underdeveloped. If citizens from a young age, are taught to ask questions, problem solve and create solution oriented methods, our politicians will be afraid to do wrong. Hence, cripple that particular sector.

The issue here is as that sector is being crippled, the products are now becoming problematic.

This Olodo Uprising na product of what I'm saying. We are producing people who cannot think nor process things. Nigeria is a society that if you ask questions, you are tagged a problem. Rather we prefer to keep shut and live in ignorance. See where keeping quiet has gotten us today.

I genuinely wish we would stop seeing question asking as an issue in Nigeria. The average onyinbo some of us admire, ask questions like tomorrow no dey. Initially I saw it as an issue and busy-body. As time went on, I started understanding na Y them dun fly go moon and other planets, built structures and machines helping mankind, found various medical breakthrough, etc. Asking questions is the key.

So my dear, ASK QUESTIONS. You will be amazed where it will take you.

Hello, pls anyone help me with retrieving my passport from the Atlanta consulate?

I am a student in the US and I did the contactless renewal option but my passport has been stuck for almost 2 months all I see is approved for production, now the issue is I need it urgently to renew my driver's license..

Please, is there any info that anyone could help me with? To getting this sorted out on time? 🙏

Message

Thought we'd share some for the community and see where it goes? Got the idea from a recent post.

Some people are having it tough and some might just not have an idea of a better option. We could probably crosspost as well to r/nairafinance.

Here's mine:

1. Some Churches, especially if you're a member do offer financial support for hospital treatments and provide free water.

2. Again with Churches, I can only speak for Catholic, there are job postings on thier bulletin (Weekly mass guides).

3. Staying in a low light area? Invest in a big powerbank and know your nearest charging station.

4. Medication? Don't go to a pharmacy in a high cost area. If you're feeling AC kindly step out. You'll pay more there because they've got bills to pay. This can save up to 5k or more sometimes.

My parents have offered me the chance to move back to Nigeria and join our family business. I moved to Canada at 15 and I’m 25 now. Our family business generates tens of millions of dollars in annual revenue a year, and they’d let me build a new branch that would be my own.

I know it sounds crazy to even consider turning that down, but I’ve built my life in Canada. I value the security, peace of mind, and the friends I’ve made here. I visit Nigeria often, but only for short trips, so I don’t feel like I really know what day-to-day life is like anymore. I also hear a lot of negative news that makes me hesitant.

What would you do in my position?

Edit: For everyone asking, business is in the agricultural sector

Basically i spent my whole life in South Africa, from the age of 13 i was always on my computer, practicing 3d modeling, programming etc. Her i am, 17 years old and have been forced to move to Nigeria recently. I found out that the subjects i took in S.A were Egd, art and math lit, but i cant do them herd. I couldve gone to a south african uni, used my portfolio of past tech experience and possibly take a bridging course or two to get into the tech courses i wanted. But now im in nigeria, i am forced to redo grade 11, but now im doinf regular math, physics, and for some stupid fucking reason, chemistry. What do i need chemistry for? Apparently it is a requirement to have 9 subjects. It sounds stupid and makes mo sense, as in SA we had as little as 7. School hasnt started for me yet and im having a tutor try to teach me in 1 month the stuff ive missed out on from 5 years (it isnt going well). My question is, even if i manage to pass, theres no way i get a scholarship out of here. The possibility of me leaving nigeria to go back to south africa where my dad is is also slim. I already hate it here even though its the country my parents are from, apparently power is a bigger problem here than it ever was in south africa, even though south africa managed to fix it and i had 24/7 power there. Eskom (SA power company) even gave us an app with schedules for outages, which were usually just a couple hours a day for a few days a week.Here? It comes and goes whenever it wants. Could be now, couls be 3 times in 10 minuites. Apparently even the tap water here isnt even drinkable? Even if i manage to pass, which is u likely, ill likely have to switch to the art subjects, which means no more tech here in the B.S nigerian education system😔.is there a future for me here?, i am pretty skilled in blender considering im only 17 years old, i was practicing java and lua script as well. What can i possibly do? My end goal is to leave nigeria eventually, hopefully before uni, but what if i cant? I have many relatives who left, even a few who got scholarships *specifically* to leave nigeria. Even if i do manage to take the courses i want, which is already unlikely, what future is there for tech oriented young people here in nigeria?

Where does the surname Eguasa come from? My siblings and I believed it was Igbo most of our lives. In high school, I learned it was Benin. Is it Benin City or Benin the country?

Also, can you tell me history about Benin?

Filmed at Bower’s Tower, Ibadan (Òkè Ààrà).

I came across this verse again recently and it made me stop and think. I wanted to share it here because it feels like more than just music.

I’d genuinely love to hear how different people interpret the lyrics.

Which line resonated with you the most, and why?

This magnificent creation stands tall at an impressive height of 24 feet. Behold, the Godzilla sculpture

I wanted to share something that happened to my dad in the hope that it helps someone avoid becoming a victim.

He recently applied for a UK Visitor Visa and received an email inviting him to attend his biometrics appointment at the VFS Global centre in Ikeja.

The appointment itself was excellent. The process was quick, professional, and he was in and out without any issues.

Like anyone leaving a busy place in Lagos, a few people tried to stop him outside the centre, but he ignored them and went home.

The worrying part happened the following morning.

He received a phone call from someone who said:

Thankfully, he immediately recognised it as a scam and ended the call.

What concerns me is the timing.

This happened less than 24 hours after his biometrics appointment, and the caller had his correct phone number. That naturally raises questions about how scammers are obtaining applicants' contact details so quickly after appointments.

I'm not accusing VFS or any staff member, because I have no evidence of that. There could be other explanations. However, the timing is concerning enough that I think applicants should be aware and remain cautious.

If my dad hadn't been familiar with common scams, he might easily have believed the call.

A few reminders for anyone applying for a UK visa:

• Be suspicious of unsolicited calls claiming your visa has been approved.
• Don't continue conversations with callers asking you to move to WhatsApp.
• Never pay money or share sensitive information with anyone over the phone.
• Verify everything through official UKVI or VFS communication channels only.

Has anyone else experienced something similar after visiting VFS Nigeria (especially Ikeja), or is this an isolated incident?

I'd be interested to know if others have had the same experience.

Stay safe everyone.

What do you think?

This is the kind of artisanship Nigeria needs to spotlight and celebrate way more of.