₦airaland Forum

GloriousGbola:
It is across the board, unfortunately. Most Nigerians do not want to invest in hardware or software or research to improve their processes.

And one reason may be that a lot of clients ultimately do not care. If you cannot secure a niche of discerning clients you will be competing with the natives on price only.

Caverton Helicopter got a 600-million-dollar contract from Shell.

That only happened because they met Shell's stringent standards.That contract opened more doors to contracts from other oil /oil service firms.

If the clients don't educate themselves, they will not be able to demand and enforce quality they will be unable to say if you don't have this or use this, there will be no business for you, and things will continue as they are.

I am now looking for a shop that has access to the proper tools, if they don't have, then I cannot do business with them.

Worst case scenario I will simply buy the tools.

5 years ago, I spent a tidy sum on automotive repair tools. My repairman continues to wonder in amazement that I have the kind of tools that he doesn't have and that I made his work easier.

diordaves:
This is what I keep banging about. Invest in your trade by upgrading and getting the right tools of the trade and beyond. The outcome will be amazing and you spend less time on the job with less muscular effort.

Only in Nigeria will you see a carpenter and roofer, all they've got as tools is a hammer and maybe, just maybe handsaw. Same with an electrician. To chase a wall for conduit piping, instead of multitool cutting device they use hammer to destroy the wall just for conduit. This is so crude and the outcome will be crude as well.

What happens to circular saw and multitool, and nail gun etc.

I couldn't have said it better.

Those are the tools I need to do spotless work.

It is like our people have made a pact to remain in the Stone Age.

When they are supposed to use to screws, they use nails. Easier to nail it in than to screw it in without power tools

sonnie10:
This is a beautiful bed. However, it lacks the mastery of craftsmanship. There are no woods joinery which is signature of higher quality woodwork.

I spent most of yesterday viewing YouTube videos on building a picket fence

It became clear to me why our carpenters flounder, most of them don't have power tools, most don't have precision equipment.

I am now going to make arrangements to add those tools to my arsenal of DIY equipment.

Point of this post, your post might have come off as a show-off to some, but the truth is your position on the matter has been validated, so thanks for sharing.

If you don't have the right tools for the job, you will not be able to perform magic.

sonnie10:
And our landlord has this taexx pest control system. Never thought it’s something that could be adapted to work in Nigeria environment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blds6insiuU&ab_channel=Daddy%27sHomeworks



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-ZupIg8YNM&ab_channel=RobertChou (be sure to watch all 3 parts)

EgunMogaji2:
I’ve had to reapply termite protection when the POP guys alerted me to some “dusts”. We created to openings in the ceiling for future entrance. My electrician has been using those.

Back in Texas what they do is inject insecticide mist through a port from the outside of the house, this port connects to a small hose that winds around the whole superstructure. Very effective.

Someone needs to bring that tech to Nigeria.

Did you take the precaution of leaving the house the day of the application of the insecticide? And/or some days afterwards? Was informed it was the proper thing to do.

I learnt something new. I think I can build something like that in my place. It makes a lot of sense. Way way faster than manual application

sonnie10:
I was wondering how possible it is to reapply. Like, is the person going to take off the roof or the ceiling to get to the wooden frame?
Those that have done it can share their method.

However, my other understanding of the point he made is that after 5years, the protection is no longer effective.

Think vaccine booster, you had immunity but it waned


Think of repainting already painted walls after 5 years, there is still paint but it doesn't look as good

You still have protection, but how strong is it?

I see it as a maintenance cost...take off the ceiling or better still create a maintenance entrance/exit during the build to accomodate this and other such repairs

rmx:
Your numerous bikes nko baba

Na Make God help person o , you go get money you no go fit afford even basic comfort of a new car like Toyota or hyundai out of fear , not luxury fa , after achieving a certain level of success

For me , some basics are non negotiable . Other suggestions are in order and on point

If I buy a new car that my neighbors don't have, I will not stay in that area anymore.

I have to go and stay with those who have that kind of car.

If I buy the econoboxes that my neighbors have there is no need to be worried.

mufutau55:
Probably. But nobody I know here ever applied it again after 5years from the initial application.
I have never had to re-applly it myself.
Thanks for the info though, good to know.

Hajji M.

According to the manufacturer.

Your mileage may vary.

EgunMogaji2:
Life’s too short.

If you wish to live in Nigeria you can. Many of us moved back and successfully. Your keywords are Situational Awareness.

Good luck.

I just wanted to add a second keyword/phrase, now that you have, no need to.

Jeff68:
You just made me rethink my whole move back to Nigeria theory!

You can move but you have to carefully pick your neighborhood of residence and your choice of associates, and you have to practice operational security.

Careful how much you share with your network of old classmates and associates, especially if the kind of fortune that smiled on you has not smiled on them. You are not the same person as you were, and you cannot vouch for how much they have changed in the meantime.

I think though that the best approach is having have two homes and move between the two continents as your business requires, as well as take advantage of the two legal regimes as much as you can.

Never give advance notice of your coming or going to anyone unless you can vouch for them 101% - in short limit that information to family, unless you have a reason not to, and let them know they must not spread the news, it is for your protection.

There is a lot more that I cannot post here.

Keyword: "operational security"

I advised someone who came into a lot of money recently, if you repair your former house to the current standard of your improved finances, that's fine. But if you decided to splurge on several brand-new cars at the same time, please seriously consider changing your neighborhood to that of people as affluent or more affluent than you.

You cannot suddenly become rich among people who struggle 10 to 20 to 30 years to make it what you are making in less than 1 year and not be the object/subject of envy. As an abroadian, your position/status is the same as that guy who suddenly came into a lot of money from the point of view of the locals.

If you have been able to take advantage of the first world, you can use those advantages to make even more rapid progress here than those who have never left.

I think there is a disconnect between operational security, being rich or financially stable, and going to places like clubs to show you have arrived, or there is a big boy in town, it is like opening up your rear flanks to attack and by when by virtue of living abroad you cannot really tell who is who.

So if you do come, keep your ears close to the ground and play low key, with time you will acclimatize.

I have attached two quotes, the quotes are perfect as is, for certain scenarios, it is perfect to replace friend with neighbor and neighbor with friend.

Tall fences is not security. You need a lot more.

https://www.nairaland.com/1087891/armed-robbery-experience-thoughts-nigerian

This story dating back to 2012 confirms this narrative

mufutau55:
Use SOLIGNUM.

Hajji M.

After I saw this post, I did some quick research.

Treatment lifespan is 5 years, then it must be reapplied, the protection does not last forever.

I think this detail is important.

When you want to paint a house for your client do you just paint it?

Do you suggest colors for your client?

Does the client suggest colors?

Do you show the client how the color he/she wants would look like before painting?

Do you show the client how the color you are proposing would look like before painting?

If no, it is time to start using color visualizers, some even accept your own pictures in addition to default photos, which can make the representation even more realistic.

This is one way to do things differently from how it was always done in the past and to set your craft apart from the crowd.

#justsaying

naijacreativeha:
Yes , I am an expert, test me

Rest assured. I will give you a contract. I like what I see.

https://www.sans.org/cyber-security-training-events/newtocyber-summit-2022/?msc=summit-blog

Hope this helps someone

here is my response to a post that was swallowed by the powers that be (See Picture 1)

My response is picture 2 and 3

I referenced a resource, see picture 4

The war here is something else.

Many levels of intensity worse than what happens on CarTalk.

diordaves:
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Shay yourself don see wetin I dey talk. Construction no be rocket science. Na learnable and acquirable science. Make tradespeople in Nigeria cool down learn work reach ground and constantly invest in their business. If nothing, buy the tools of the trade. Na only in Nigeria you go see a builder/engineer with many years in the trade, one single tool, them no get. Even spirit level kpakpa sef na gold durst.

I'm sure you noticed how things are simplified, standardized, price display ( no send me Whatsapp chat to know price). Hope you also noticed there's a tool for every task, ALL timber are cut straight both premium timber and pure water. ALL straight. How is the ability to cut timber straight is a rocket science in Nigeria. I just can't get it.

In some building merchant, there's is a free cutting service or pay a token, they will cut your timber for you to the size you want STRAIGHT.

Look well, you fit jam sales and offer. Use the opportunity to begin buy tools. With the right tools, you will be amazed how simple these things are.

I think we also have a culture here that those kinds of activities are for the lowly placed in society.

It is not evidence of being a big man to understand how things work or even worse get dirty and fix it if it is broken. You should have the money to hire someone to do it for you.

Unlike in America that have a very active handyman culture and even normal guys tinker with their cars, they don't leave it up to workmen only.

So it maybe cultural also.

seunpinky:
Boss, that one na topic for another day.. although I understand there are several factors within the Nigerian mkt that makes open market pricing difficult..

I also saw the cut to size for a token section and yeah variety of tools at our disposal.

I believe we should all be open to learning, unlearning and relearning.

About the learning, unlearning and relearning, if one cannot afford trade school because of time constraints or even money constraints, then there is YouTube, why some of these workmen don't tap into that resource is what I cannot get.

EgunMogaji2:
And this issue is getting compounded. I’ve been furniture shopping and I’ve had the opportunity to show my partner, a child of the 90’s, the difference between HDF/MDF based furniture and real wood furnitures. She was unaware and I wager that most Nigerians are unaware.

Even non MDF wood used in making all those puffy babalawo style sofas are rough and have no professional look. Hence why they’ll lather it up with pleather.

The bolded is so true.

EgunMogaji2:

laughed so loud, so they want something private to go public?

You Sabi the work!

EgunMogaji2:
This issue is not limited to wood but also extends to steel.

I’ve stopped commercial welding because of this.

I'm beyond shocked.

This is not how to be the giant of Africa.

That title seems more appropriate to South Africa or Egypt.

EgunMogaji2:
My visit to a Californian Home Depot in November. I immediately understood why I haven’t been productive in Nigeria as much as I used to be back here. Lack of adequate raw materials. You’ll create good minimalist furnitures if you can start with this. Even shopping for trees is a pleasure.

Lack of straight cut wood at prices that will not break the bank is why MDF and HDF are so popular here.

The lack of investment and the lack of standardization is what makes Nigeria backwards, haven't been to South Africa, but I have a feeling they don't have this problem.

KelvinCoaster:
Nice one!

Kugbo Furniture Villa in my mind.

Here is a video of his work:

https://ufile.io/58hduk11

sonnie10:
This is a beautiful bed. However, it lacks the mastery of craftsmanship. There are no woods joinery which is signature of higher quality woodwork.
Look at this piece in my guest room. Notice how individual 2 inches woods are joined to create a pattern that formed the headboard and foot of bed. Also notice the natural grains of the wood.
Those are the type of details I which to start seeing by artisans.
Anyway, how many would pay $8k to make a bet set.

The higher the quality, the higher the price agreed.

Same way Bosch kitchen equipment costs way more than the usual Nigerian brands.

That pattern can only be achieved by an expert craftsman agreed. The same pattern on the headboard is duplicated at the footboard.

It might also be a function of cost; the client might want something beautiful but that will not break the bank.

Will pass on your message, I doubt he plays in the $8k league, I think though that compared to most of the roadside shops, his looks better.

mufutau55:
Not bad Sir.

Hajji M.

Will attempt to upload some videos as well.

I think some education and exposure has contributed to his attention to detail.

I'm glad you like it.

Part 2

Let me share some pictures of furniture made by a friend here in Abuja to further the debate that raged some days ago

seunpinky:
For a while, I have been reading comments from the abroadians and the kind of expectations they have from the Nigerian construction industry.


Having spent most of my life in Nigeria and with good knowledge of the Nigerian construction industry, So I made two trips in the past two days to a home depot store to see for myself all these things they have been writing and talking about.

To be honest and fair to them, all their expectations are valid. The level of quality, sanity, ease and value for money that you get over there is second to none..

I intend visiting Lowe's tomorrow since it's a public holiday.

Please to the abroadians, which other stores can a first time home owner visit for basic renovations (paintings, lightings etc) cc Egun.mogaji2, Hajj Mu.futua and the others

Their concerns are very valid. Our workmen would be better served listening and adapting.

These guys have more disposable income that your normal clientele, who would they rather work for?

I would rather do business with 1 client that can give me 5 million than 100 clients that will give me 50,000 each.

My father taught me to always benchmark, not against my fellow countrymen but against the world.

How is it done over there? Can you copy it? Can you adapt it?

He had this book in the house - The American Handyman and I read it several times.

That is why I can do almost anything in the house, and I can supervise the workmen that I invite.

Now most workmen don't do the work because they love to do it, they do it to survive.

I will illustrate, I invited someone to help me paint some wood. I asked him do I need to prepare the wood? He said no.

He was wrong, I need to sandpaper the wood, I need to use methylated spirit to clean up the wood after sanding, and I need to use a brush to clean off the dust.

How come a painter does not know all of these? Is he doing this because he loves his craft or wants to eke out a living?

These guys don't benchmark, so they keep doing the same thing over and over and over and that is why foreigners that can do quality will come in and take over as has already been established on this thread.

When you work with some artisans, you cannot help but notice the gaping lack of exposure, like they say they are nothing but local champions, that cannot compete with their counterparts elsewhere.