According to 'Pew Research Centre', the Generation Z are classified as those born between the year 1997-2020, so the oldest of them is at best 22 years old. The millennials are those born between the year 1981 to 1996 while generation X are those born between the year 1965-1980.
The generation X and the millennials make up a sizeable amount of today's workforce. The baby boomers and generation Z are also part of the workforce, but their numbers are not a sizeable quantity compared to the aforementioned.

Why then is there so much fuss about the Z generation? Probably because they are a non-conformist, they seem to defy some business processes that those who have been in the business world have not followed to achieve success yet they have achieved. We see thriving business owners at tender ages of 16. We see ideas that command resources that the generation X never dreamt of nor imagined materialising and becoming defining points for new business models. We see the rise of a new generation of people who are not afraid of change and who dare to be different. We see a group of young boys and girls rising to challenge status- quo, we see a group of young adults with some form of expertise and yet little or no experience. We see a team of people from different nations, continents, races in different colours who take no cognisance of their differences or boundaries but speak only one language drive ‘success.’ Daring to achieve the Imaginations of their heart.
We see a group of people who are fast and have a thought that time is running out on them and yet they are so young the oldest of them is only 22. The world is at their feet, this they know and they have what it takes to rise up to every challenge. Their minds operate in a way that dictates no limitation, that is, the world they were born into. Little wonder they seem to be achieving so much. If you would ask me, I think they are operating in a form that shows the creativity of God inside man. They seem to be:

Creating…………. Creative

Doing ……………. Can do spirit

Fearless……… Never afraid of change

Entrepreneurial…….. Nothing is impossible

Whilst the older generations (the generation X, baby boomers, silent generation) find it a bit difficult to understand them and more often than not in this part of the world we see them as being lazy. The millennials seem to be better off in understanding and appreciating them. The millennials were privileged to have witnessed the increasing change in technology and thus the difference is very clear to them.
As an organisation that is proactive, intuitive, visionary, has foresight, it is important, if narratives must be changed, growth achieved and relevance maintained and sustained, one cannot but pay some form of attention to this generation Z.
If products and services are not being considered or designed for them, then one may want to consider them as part of the input team. Whichever way we want to look at it, they are a part of the defining force of the market place and in an unspecified year to come, they will be the major force that defines the market place.

Generation Z is a fascinating group. They have quite a great number of many positive qualities and attributes that could potentially help create a better world for everyone. The game is changing and this is so evident. The same approach, design and marketing strategies just won’t work anymore. In order for your designs to succeed, it is imperative to learn who they are, what they want, and, most importantly, how to communicate it to them quickly and with impact. We can safely conclude that Generation Z is a huge group of highly diverse, multiracial people filled with a desire for altruism and driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
The earlier we accept this group of emerging leaders and harness their best potentials to the benefit of all, the better our world will become.
Does this description fit the generation Z in this part of the world called Nigeria, Africa? Or do we just defy all known definitions? Time will tell.

Written By: Funmi Adedipe

Guest Writer for IRW