₦airaland Forum

Small nyash go shake naaau 😂🤭

Zahra29:
Very baffling how complicated and restrictive Nigeria's visa process is. Don't they need/want immigrants and all the immense value they bring?

Hopefully Jedisco and Goke will admonish them to open up their borders and create more liberal immigration policies..

bigtt76:
😳 you be Makurdian?

My final decision to travel back to the UK, was sealed at the officer's mess at Wurukum.....

Young boy at the time, full of dreams (presently now looking at retirement in single digits years)...... What a life..... 😁😂🤣

Zahra 😅😅

You like Wahala 😅😅

Zahra29:
Very baffling how complicated and restrictive Nigeria's visa process is. Don't they need/want immigrants and all the immense value they bring?

Hopefully Jedisco and Goke will admonish them to open up their borders and create more liberal immigration policies..

jedisco:
Hehe.. so I gather. I never master the skill of looking at end of year statements e.t.c and plotting the next move. Na why I do buy and forget with index. I wan dey sleep with 2 eyes closed. I have enough active in crypt0 etal.
By the way, our NSE has been going parabolic. You dey also look that way?
Good for local investors and hope it feeds into our economy.

Why many Nigerians in Nigerians keep shouting Nigeria is bad but people are low key making nice profit from Nigeria stock both local and foreigners.
This is my share account and it keeps growing. I hope it grows to billions so i can return to naija cos my hard work cannot make me billionaire but smart work.

adedapodvirus001:
Good evening my people, please is there anyone here who has applied for the renewal/extension their health care visa recently( i.e after the introduction of going rates and salary threshold)

How did you navigate the going rates & salary threshold issue considering the fact that most care employers pay minimum wages and the standard working hours is 33 hours.

Here is my own issue, I got my first COS when minimum wages was 10 pounds and on 33 hours contract. Now my renewal is coming up and the issue of this salary threshold is giving me serious concerns because my employer still pay minimum wages on 33 hours contract. The HR department seem to have no clue about immigration rules changes as well.

Please help a brother.

Your employer should be increasing your pay in line with the national minimum wage increase, if they are still paying you £10/hr, they could get in trouble.
I think the new rules don't affect people already on the pathway, but I'll let more knowledgeable ppl confirm this. @zahra pls can you help?

abuhusna1:
Why many Nigerians in Nigeria keep shouting Nigeria is bad but people are low key making nice profit from Nigeria stock both local and foreigners.
This is my share account and it keeps growing. I hope it grows to billions so i can return to naija cos my hard work cannot make me billionaire but smart work.

Hehe.. Kudos.

Was intrigued by the NSE 2yrs + ago before it gained new highs and started going parabolic. It looked primed then and I gave it thought. Two things that put me off were uncertainties around the exchange rate which could easily take away ones gains and also the lack of low cost means to passively invest. Also, all the money our government prints has to go somewhere. I wonder if there is now a competitively priced platform to invest passively


Overall, it does appear macroeconomic changes the government put in place has helped stabilise the naira. If inflation starts dropping quick (sub 15 ish) then the economy should pick up rather quickly. I'm talking growth rates of 5-7%. Still got my eyes on other sectors. There are advantages of investing in 9ja.


Also, if TB rates begin to drop with inflation, I'd expect a good chunk of profits to find its way into equities.

Omo ....small world man! 😂

Lexusgs430:
My final decision to travel back to the UK, was sealed at the officer's mess at Wurukum.....

Young boy at the time, full of dreams (presently now looking at retirement in single digits years)...... What a life..... 😁😂🤣

Zahra29:
Very baffling how complicated and restrictive Nigeria's visa process is. Don't they need/want immigrants and all the immense value they bring?

Hopefully Jedisco and Goke will admonish them to open up their borders and create more liberal immigration policies..

You’re feeding on misinformation by Trump and his maga crew. There is a five year multiple visa category for Americans which was the reason Biden approve the reciprocal 5 year American visa for Nigerians and I have a friend whose American spouse was granted just that. If some Americans chose the single entry option that’s their cup of tea and has nothing to do with the current bigotry decisions by the Trump administration who’s only hiding behind the single entry option to punish Nigeria for attending the BRICS summit. Next time get your facts right before misinforming others.
https://immigration.gov.ng/nigerian-visa/

mizGene:
Your employer should be increasing your pay in line with the national minimum wage increase, if they are still paying you £10/hr, they could get in trouble.
I think the new rules don't affect people already on the pathway, but I'll let more knowledgeable ppl confirm this. @zahra pls can you help?

Thank you very much for your response.

My wages with my employer increases yearly in accordance with the national minimum wage requirement but my main concern is that the current minimum wage multiply by 33hours offered by my employer does not meet the new 25000 pounds requirement.

Though I'm also having the feelings that I should be exempted since I got my first COS before the introduction of wage barrier.

Goke7:
You’re feeding on misinformation by Trump and his maga crew. There is a five year multiple visa category for Americans which was the reason Biden approve the reciprocal 5 year American visa for Nigerians and I have a friend whose American spouse was granted just that. If some Americans chose the single entry option that’s their cup of tea and has nothing to do with the current bigotry decisions by the Trump administration who’s only hiding behind the single entry option to punish Nigeria for attending the BRICS summit. Next time get your facts right before misinforming others.
https://immigration.gov.ng/nigerian-visa/

😂😂😂

How am I misinforming others when I simply shared a direct tweet from the US embassy? Is it my information? Lol

The below link explains that the new visa policy targets non-immigrant visas(so your example about your friends spouse visa is not valid here) and brings this category into alignment with Nigeria's existing visa policy:

Nigeria also offers single-entry visas valid for three months only for those planning to visit the country from the US....

An aide to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said he believed the US was not reciprocating but showing its displeasure with Nigeria.

Bashir Ahmad posted on X that President Bola Tinubu‘s recent visit to Brazil for the Brics gathering was behind the move.

Immigration lawyer Godwin Oke thinks differently and told the BBC: "This is a classic case of visa reciprocity under international diplomatic practice. Countries often align their visa terms to reflect mutual treatment.

"The US had been issuing Nigerians five-year multiple-entry visas, while Nigeria only offered Americans short-term, single-entry visas. From a policy standpoint, it was only a matter of time before the imbalance was addressed."


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx23ywg9w82o

I think Oke's reasoning makes more sense.

mizGene:
Your employer should be increasing your pay in line with the national minimum wage increase, if they are still paying you £10/hr, they could get in trouble.
I think the new rules don't affect people already on the pathway, but I'll let more knowledgeable ppl confirm this. @zahra pls can you help?

You're correct - the OP's employer should be paying at least minimum wage which for over 21's is £12.21ph.

For visa renewals however, OP needs to be paid at least £12.82 ph irrespective of when he first got his visa.

adedapodvirus001:
Thank you very much for your response.

My wages with my employer increases yearly in accordance with the national minimum wage requirement but my main concern is that the current minimum wage multiply by 33hours offered by my employer does not meet the new 25000 pounds requirement.

Though I'm also having the feelings that I should be exempted since I got my first COS before the introduction of wage barrier.

You're exempt from the increased salary threshold until you need to extend your visa. At the time of extension, your employer will need to meet the £25,000 salary requirement.

Before then however they are legally required to pay you at least the minimum wage which is £12.21 ph (assuming you're over 21).

Zahra29:
😂😂😂

How am I misinforming others when I simply shared a direct tweet from the US embassy? Is it my information? Lol

The below link explains that the new visa policy targets non-immigrant visas(so your example about your friends spouse visa is not valid here) and brings this category into alignment with Nigeria's existing visa policy:

Nigeria also offers single-entry visas valid for three months only for those planning to visit the country from the US....

An aide to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said he believed the US was not reciprocating but showing its displeasure with Nigeria.

Bashir Ahmad posted on X that President Bola Tinubu‘s recent visit to Brazil for the Brics gathering was behind the move.

Immigration lawyer Godwin Oke thinks differently and told the BBC: "This is a classic case of visa reciprocity under international diplomatic practice. Countries often align their visa terms to reflect mutual treatment.

"The US had been issuing Nigerians five-year multiple-entry visas, while Nigeria only offered Americans short-term, single-entry visas. From a policy standpoint, it was only a matter of time before the imbalance was addressed."


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx23ywg9w82o

I think Oke's reasoning makes more sense.

Even the tweet you posted earlier never said so ma; it only said the US Department of State updated its reciprocal non-immigrant and non-official visas to Nigerian citizens, it never quoted that American citizens were only given 3 months single entry to Nigeria, here is the quote on the website of the US consulate in Nigeria https://ng.usembassy.gov/revised-visa-reciprocity-policy-for-nigeria/ but as usual you will never admit to your errors and many Nigerians like you has also been misinformed including the Oke that you're quoting, it's clearly stated on the Nigerian immigration website which I posted earlier on the different categories of visas given but if choose not to believe then you're on your own.

Zahra29:
😂😂😂

How am I misinforming others when I simply shared a direct tweet from the US embassy? Is it my information? Lol

The below link explains that the new visa policy targets non-immigrant visas(so your example about your friends spouse visa is not valid here) and brings this category into alignment with Nigeria's existing visa policy:

Nigeria also offers single-entry visas valid for three months only for those planning to visit the country from the US....

An aide to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said he believed the US was not reciprocating but showing its displeasure with Nigeria.

Bashir Ahmad posted on X that President Bola Tinubu‘s recent visit to Brazil for the Brics gathering was behind the move.

Immigration lawyer Godwin Oke thinks differently and told the BBC: "This is a classic case of visa reciprocity under international diplomatic practice. Countries often align their visa terms to reflect mutual treatment.

"The US had been issuing Nigerians five-year multiple-entry visas, while Nigeria only offered Americans short-term, single-entry visas. From a policy standpoint, it was only a matter of time before the imbalance was addressed."


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx23ywg9w82o

I think Oke's reasoning makes more sense.

The only reason why it makes more sense to you is because it fits the narrative you love to push, and your MO of hiding behind other people's statements when you're unwilling to take a stance of your own or too lazy to do the checks neccessary to find things out for yourself.

Otherwise, why couldn't you just Google it and find out if it was the case the Nigeria only granted 3 month visas to Americans? Didn't you even consider whether it's plausible from a common sense standpoint?

Here are some links that might help educate you - https://immigration.gov.ng/info-center/visiting-multiple-entry-visa-f6b/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Nigeria/comments/1am3lo2/2024_nigerian_visa_for_us_citizens/

NOWHERE in any of the US government's communications did they state that the measure was in response to Nigeria only issuing 3 months visa to Americans so there's really no basis for the 'reasoning' that you adopted.

By the way, one wonders why a news organisation like the BBC could not simply definitively confirm whether Nigeria was only issuing three months visas to Americans or not, and instead had to rely on a random lawyer's soundbite, but then it makes sense because how else will they mislead the Zahra29s of this world without explicitly lying and getting called out for it?

Lexusgs430:
What do you have against BENSU...... Pls don't take me down memory lane of my days at makurdi.......... 🤣😁😂

Bros, the original BENSU na e turn to Ambrose Alli so... I go BENSU staff school. But you be senior bros.

Bendel State University, Ekpoma.

Goke7:
Even the tweet you posted earlier never said so ma; it only said the US Department of State updated its reciprocal non-immigrant and non-official visas to Nigerian citizens, it never quoted that American citizens were only given 3 months single entry to Nigeria, here is the quote on the website of the US consulate in Nigeria https://ng.usembassy.gov/revised-visa-reciprocity-policy-for-nigeria/ but as usual you will never admit to your errors and many Nigerians like you has also been misinformed including the Oke that you're quoting, it's clearly stated on the Nigerian immigration website which I posted earlier on the different categories of visas given but if choose not to believe then you're on your own.

They don't have to spell it out though as that's typically what visa reciprocity means.

Various immigration lawyers and articles including the BBC have explained what Nigeria's visa policy for US visitors is, and that this is the same policy the US has implemented in return.

I saw the multiple entry visa option (up to 5 years) on the Nigerian immigration website, however it appears conditional based on reciprocity, for countries offering similar multiple-entry visit visas to Nigerians - perhaps the US government discounted this if it wasn't routinely granted to American citizens.

Although the US government has also stipulated other areas that need to be addressed before they review the policy.

Goodenoch:
The only reason why it makes more sense to you is because it fits the narrative you love to push, and your MO of hiding behind other people's statements when you're unwilling to take a stance of your own or too lazy to do the checks neccessary to find things out for yourself.

Otherwise, why couldn't you just Google it and find out if it was the case the Nigeria only granted 3 month visas to Americans? Didn't you even consider whether it's plausible from a common sense standpoint?

Here are some links that might help educate you - https://immigration.gov.ng/info-center/visiting-multiple-entry-visa-f6b/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Nigeria/comments/1am3lo2/2024_nigerian_visa_for_us_citizens/

NOWHERE in any of the US government's communications did they state that the measure was in response to Nigeria only issuing 3 months visa to Americans so there's really no basis for the 'reasoning' that you adopted.

By the way, one wonders why a news organisation like the BBC could not simply definitively confirm whether Nigeria was only issuing three months visas to Americans or not, and instead had to rely on a random lawyer's soundbite, but then it makes sense because how else will they mislead the Zahra29s of this world without explicitly lying and getting called out for it?

Oh hello you, hope you've been enjoying the summer - you certainly sound cheerful ☺️☀️

Goodenoch:
The only reason why it makes more sense to you is because it fits the narrative you love to push, and your MO of hiding behind other people's statements when you're unwilling to take a stance of your own or too lazy to do the checks neccessary to find things out for yourself.

Otherwise, why couldn't you just Google it and find out if it was the case the Nigeria only granted 3 month visas to Americans? Didn't you even consider whether it's plausible from a common sense standpoint?

Here are some links that might help educate you - https://immigration.gov.ng/info-center/visiting-multiple-entry-visa-f6b/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Nigeria/comments/1am3lo2/2024_nigerian_visa_for_us_citizens/

NOWHERE in any of the US government's communications did they state that the measure was in response to Nigeria only issuing 3 months visa to Americans so there's really no basis for the 'reasoning' that you adopted.

By the way, one wonders why a news organisation like the BBC could not simply definitively confirm whether Nigeria was only issuing three months visas to Americans or not, and instead had to rely on a random lawyer's soundbite, but then it makes sense because how else will they mislead the Zahra29s of this world without explicitly lying and getting called out for it?

It’s deliberate to make it look as if it was Nigeria’s fault to receive what Trump is dishing out and don’t forget it tallies with the growing narrative of reducing net migration so the Uk can consider that route too. And don’t be surprised in the next few months we start seeing such suggestions from the Uk which will generate more excitement that if the US does it why not the Uk. Agenda must gend like we say in local parlance.

Zahra29:
They don't have to spell it out though as that's typically what visa reciprocity means.

Various immigration lawyers and articles including the BBC have explained what Nigeria's visa policy for US visitors is, and that this is the same policy the US has implemented in return.

I saw the multiple entry visa option (up to 5 years) on the Nigerian immigration website, however it appears conditional based on reciprocity, for countries offering similar multiple-entry visit visas to Nigerians - perhaps the US government discounted this if it wasn't routinely granted to American citizens.

Although the US government has also stipulated other areas that need to be addressed before they review the policy.

Aunty the BBC and immigration lawyers can’t be the source of truth for Nigeria immigration policies. The Nigeria government thru the immigration website just like home office website is the single source of truth. I told you about a friend who got multiple entry visa you’re arguing as if you are the one issuing visas? 😂

Nigeria is a shithole we agree but let’s stop the false claims and assumptions.

Goke7:
Aunty the BBC and immigration lawyers can’t be the source of truth for Nigeria immigration policies. The Nigeria government thru the immigration website just like home office website is the single source of truth. I told you about a friend who got multiple entry visa you’re arguing as if you are the one issuing visas? 😂

Nigeria is a shithole we agree but let’s stop the false claims and assumptions.

The bolded are your words not mine oh , before your fellow gang members come for me 😂

Uncle, but the friend you quoted has a Nigerian spouse though? If they had no close Nigerian connections, perhaps they would have had a different experience. Not arguing, just saying that others' experience *might* be different.

Zahra29:
The bolded are your words not mine oh , before your fellow gang members come for me 😂

Uncle, but the friend you quoted has a Nigerian spouse though? If they had no close Nigerian connections, perhaps they would have had a different experience. Not arguing, just saying that others' experience *might* be different.

Yes the words are mine and I own it with my full chest but let’s not lie against the poor country.

As for my friend’s spouse, it was a fallout of the agreement between Buhari and Biden and both Nigerians and Americans are beneficiaries as I and my spouse got 5 year multiple American visitor visa as well like so many others so it has nothing to do with connection to America or Nigeria just simple visa policy as a result of international diplomacy.

And as matter of fact how many Americans will actually want or desire multiple visa entry to Nigeria except for regular visits if they have personal reasons or business trips. So it depends on individual needs and choices. In fact the single entry is an evisa thing which will be more convenient than going for the multiple option if there is no need to do so.

Chukwuka16:
Ownership: we need a diversified basket of assets to create, build and sustain wealth

Financial freedom my only hope
F**k livin' rich and dyin' broke
I bought some artwork for one million
Two years later, that sh*t worth two million
Few years later, that sh*t worth eight million
I can't wait to give this sh*t to my children
Y'all think it's bougie, I'm like, it's fine
But I'm tryin' to give you a million dollars worth of game for $9.99
I turned that 2 to a 4, 4 to an 8
I turned my life into a nice first week release date
Y'all out here still takin' advances, huh?
Me and my nigg*s takin' real chances, uh
Y'all on the 'Gram holdin' money to your ear
There's a disconnect, we don't call that money over here, yeah

Over the last couple of days, I have been brooding over some enlightenment that I just stumbled upon. Our patent attorney emailed me our patent issue notice and I decided to investigate the difference between the inventors and assignee (again). I will reproduce below my findings.

In US patents, the inventor is the individual(s) who conceived of the invention, while the assignee is the party who owns the patent rights. The inventor is typically the one who has contributed to the conception and development of the invention, while the assignee may be the company the inventor works for, an investor, or someone who has licensed the invention. The inventor can also be the assignee, but they are not always the same person.

Summary: even if I conceived the idea, if I am not an assignee, I don’t have a claim to any royalty the patent generates. Damn. I could be the ONLY inventor listed on the patent, but the assignee gets to milk and own the commercial rights to the patent.

Last year, I needed to licence our product to some folks in Silicon Valley and so myself and one of our in-house lawyers were in San Francisco to tidy up the deal. We needed some external sounding board and so I scheduled a call with some respected folk in the Nigeria tech/investing ecosystem. That morning just before the call, my MIL passed – damn. I still went ahead with the call and this consultant said some scary sh*t. In the call, he talked about a friend who conceived an idea, got investors and when they sold to a PE firm, this guy was screwed – terms and conditions. Owner thought he was game but alas somewhere in all of the legalese he had shot himself and lost significant cash when they sold. I’ve never been scared.

Sometime in 2023, some white folks and I decided to explore carbon credits. They had contacts with some of the biggest HVAC manufacturers in the UK and Europe, farmers who had installed massive industrial grade heat pumps, large LED manufacturers, housing associations and very big renewable project operators in the UK. I had the tech platform to help extract carbon offsets using one of Verra’s methodology and had worked out 60 pages of mathematical models along with the software to thrash this out. We are also a Registry Account Holder with Verra. When we set out, we didn’t have any contract. The main guy was the monitoring officer (MO) for one of the government projects I had delivered and brought in the second guy.

The “gentleman” agreement was that I will handle cash, while they bring in business. Share was equal after deducting expenses. Then all of a sudden, they started requesting that I provide them with the models as they needed to present these at universities and to other large potential clients. Luckily, I had created three variations of the model – one for LEDs and two for heat pumps (residential and industrial grades). I sent over the LED version to them, and then we continued discussions. Shortly after that, they came back saying a better approach would be for me to white label my software platform to a business they had which they feel will get more traction than my business – they had registered a business with just two of them as directors (so much for equal sharing). No worries if I control cash. Then in one of our meetings, they let it slip that cash would not be handled by me but them – I would be paid by them. Their argument – my company was not credit worthy to receive such cash. I laughed! Then they came and asked for the second/third models. This was the meat, and I knew. If I gave them this, they didn’t need me again. Any average scientist could operationalise the model and they could go ahead and commercialise it.

I told them we now needed a contract. They went ballistic. Told me how my software was nothing without them. I calmly listed all the original agreements we had that they had changed and how a contract was the best option to avoid confusion. They asked me to send over a copy of the contract and also the models as some clients were urgently wanting to see it – hahahahaha, the long con.

Guess what – I almost sent the models to them. While our lawyer drafted the contract, I was conflicted. My wife seeing my confusion asked me to accompany her to the post office to drop off a parcel. She told me that I could send them the models if on return I felt relieved. We returned and I decided to stew over my next decision while I watched TV. Went to Netflix, scrolled down and saw a documentary titled – The Founder (story of McDonald’s). Watched it, stood up, sent them an email that they will ONLY get the models when we have a contract signed by all parties.

Sent them the contract some days later and till today, I am still awaiting their feedback!

We are in a funny world that is changing dramatically before our eyes. There was a time when 60/40 was a solid hedge. 2022 showed that both stocks and bonds could go down same time. Beyond this, we are seeing intangible assets making up significant aspect of valuation for countries and companies. In today’s knowledge-based economy. Many of the world’s most valuable companies derive the majority of their worth from intangibles rather than from physical assets. Intangibles contribute to wealth creation by enabling innovation, differentiation, efficiency, and scalability in ways tangible assets often cannot. In fact, one study of over 860 companies found that the fastest-growing firms invested 2.6 times more in intangible assets than slower-growing firms.

Apple Inc. – often the world’s most valuable company – is a prime example of a business built on intangible assets. Apple’s brand loyalty, software ecosystem (iOS, App Store), and design & innovation capabilities have created a virtually unassailable market position, allowing it to generate enormous profits. Apple’s total Property, Plant & Equipment (PP&E) was about $45.7 billion in 2023, which includes its corporate campuses, data centers, retail stores, and other equipment. Yet Apple’s market capitalization tells a striking story – investors value the company at roughly $3 trillion. Compared to a book value (shareholders’ equity) of only about $62 billion, Apple’s market value is nearly 50 times higher. In other words, over 95% of Apple’s valuation is attributable to assets and expectations beyond the tangible book assets. This gap is essentially the intangible value of Apple – the worth of its brand, customer loyalty, intellectual property, software ecosystem, and future innovation potential.

JPMorgan Chase, one of the world’s largest banks, offers a contrast where tangible and financial assets remain significant, but intangible factors also contribute to value. As a bank, JPMorgan’s business is rooted in financial assets (loans, securities) and trust (an intangible). On its balance sheet, JPMorgan carries substantial tangible and financial assets – about $4.36 trillion in total assets as of 2023, consisting largely of loans, investments, and cash. Physical tangibles like corporate real estate (branch offices, data
centers) are a small portion of this total, but still present (the bank owns many office buildings and branches, reflected in PP&E). These hard assets enable the bank’s revenue-generating activities (e.g. loans generate interest income), creating wealth in a more traditional asset-driven way. However, intangible assets and competitive strengths are far from absent in finance. Goodwill and other intangibles on JPMorgan’s balance sheet amount to roughly $50–64 billion (as of recent years). While these are not listed as assets on the balance sheet, they certainly add value. The proof is in the market’s valuation: JPMorgan’s market capitalization is about $700 billion in 2025, well above its book equity. Investors price in the bank’s earnings power, which comes not just from having lots of loans (tangibles/financials) but from superior management, brand, and technology (intangibles).

Tesla, the electric vehicle (EV) and clean energy company, exemplifies the “mobility” sector (automotive/transportation) where traditionally tangibles dominated, yet it has achieved a market valuation heavily supported by intangibles. By the end of 2023, Tesla’s total assets were about $106.6 billion, including factories in the U.S., China, and Germany, as well as cash, inventory of cars, etc. However, Tesla’s market capitalization – approximately $790 billion at end of 2023 (and over $1 trillion at various points) – far exceeds the value of its physical assets. The difference is the market’s appraisal of Tesla’s intangible assets and future potential.

I decided to also explore universities ranking and their ownership of patents as well as countries and it shows why the US continues to lead.

Our acquisition for tangible assets is great but will afford us limited utility in the new world. Folks, we need to rethink life. Many of the benefits from what we implement today won’t be seen in our lifetime, but we are sure that our kids get to have a seat at the table. Today, our people are being used to generate patentable ideas globally but only get to be listed as inventors. The assignee which is what matters are entities inimical to our advancement. This is no different from the relationships between boxers and their promoters. One gets to receive the beatings and part of the returns with another taking a huge chunk with no beating!

When the consultant I talked with hinted that he has not seen many Nigerians patenting their ideas, I laughed because for us, the cost we were quoted wasn’t a walk in the park. Each patent has cost us around $15k to prosecute. Who has that amount just chilling for something intangible?

He further mentioned that there was a company making over $1 billion annually from the sale of patents which they got from grant applications made by Africans to various bodies. Imagine that. The ideas that will solve our problems across Africa are today patented. How do we think we would break free? We saw a glimpse of this during Covid. They all refused to release the IP for the local manufacture of vaccines. Were it not for God, Africa would have been in slavery 2.0.

When Chinua Achebe wrote “Things Fall Apart”, it made sense for “Eneke the bird” to say that “since men have learned to shoot without missing, he has learned to fly without perching”. This was the level of understanding then. This was a strategy then, not today. You can’t beat the game playing catch-up. You beat the game by having a systems approach and understanding where the convergence point is through foresight. With foresight, you simply setup shop at the convergence point and make a killing as they converge.

I know we like ease – who doesn’t? We catch fun as we migrate from one developed country to another – who doesn’t want to have multiple citizenship and pass that down? We are excited when we purchase that new property – who doesn’t want to be a homeowner in “the abroad”? Who isn’t eager to work in a good company and earn megabucks and have money to “shalaye” regularly? We all like life. I love life too! Unfortunately, this time, it is not about us but the survival of our race.

The lyrics I quoted is from Jay-Z’s The Story of O.J. A breakdown of Jay-Z’s $2.5 billion wealth shows that the intangible aspect is at 58% or $1.45 billion. His brand alone is $1.1 billion. Ditto for Rihanna. Tangible aspect of her $1.4 billion wealth is $270 million with the intangible aspect being $1.13 billion (over 80%). Same with Kim Kadashan. With a net worth of $1.7 billion, intangibles make up $1.45 billion (over 85%). Elon’s $330-$350 billion net worth is only $6 billion in tangibles. Over $320 billion (or 98%) of Elon’s net worth is intangible.

The game has changed. How can we trap and retain IP within our community? How can we leverage our community in growing brands from within us to cater for us long-term? I know that many of us are scarred because of events that have occurred. I have been too, but it does not negate from the fact that that’s life. We can’t fold our arms and watch a whole generation perish because of a few bad eggs. Folks, I say this with pain – any youth who does not see themselves in a top 20 city in the next 20 months will be useless to humanity! This is not a careless statement. We are gradually being excluded from the new world. It seems our fate has been determined – to be the bottom feeders, the peasants of the world who will function solely for the pleasure of the developed world.

Today, a Nigerian youth in Gora, Nasarawa cannot comfortably make transactions overseas with his bank card. He will struggle to pay for hosting fees on Hostinger, Heroku, Azure, MongoDB, etc. In fact, setting up Azure $150k free credit services for startups will require you having a credit card. Where in Nigeria are credit cards issued?

Our priority should be to retain commercial streams for every of our IP from Nigeria. Those intellectuals forced to “dash” their IP to host institutions in the GCC and China (the major culprits here) or the very innovative businesses that are forced to apply for grants to bootstrap their ideas (whose ideas get stolen routinely and patented) need lifelines. How can we get innovative businesses in Nigeria access to $10k as quickly as possible with SAFE note to protect investors? I know the diaspora community can afford this times over. Many will fail – quite so. But the ones that succeed will compensate for any losses. We should be able to take ownership of patents from our creators and agree commercial agreements that guarantee them significant share from any accrued royalty. Vetting and managing these are the easiest things. We already do so for white-owned businesses that we work for.

Food for thought.

As I conclude I am reminded of this statement – “why tip toe through life only to arrive safely at death?”

Hi Chukwuka

I enjoy reading your writings. I send a pm to you, for an urgent matter. I’ll be grateful if you respond.
Thank you

Goke7:
Yes the words are mine and I own it with my full chest but let’s not lie against the poor country.

As for my friend’s spouse,[b] it was a fallout of the agreement between Buhari and Biden and both Nigerians and Americans are beneficiaries [/b]as I and my spouse got 5 year multiple American visitor visa as well like so many others so it has nothing to do with connection to America or Nigeria just simple visa policy as a result of international diplomacy.

And as matter of fact how many Americans will actually want or desire multiple visa entry to Nigeria except for regular visits if they have personal reasons or business trips. So it depends on individual needs and choices. In fact the single entry is an evisa thing which will be more convenient than going for the multiple option if there is no need to do so.

You are right (for the first time ever lol)

I did a little research on the Biden/Buhari policy you mentioned and came across the official announcement from 2023:

https://www.nigeriaconsulateatlanta.org/nigeria-reciprocates-5-year-us-visa-policy/

The announcement from the US embassy is (deliberately?) misleading in their use of the term reciprocal, when it looks like there's more to this.....Bad America....

uncle, no vex. I haff seen the light

Zahra29:
You are right (for the first time ever lol)

I did a little research on the Biden/Buhari policy you mentioned and came across the official announcement from 2023:

https://www.nigeriaconsulateatlanta.org/nigeria-reciprocates-5-year-us-visa-policy/

The announcement from the US embassy is (deliberately?) misleading in their use of the term reciprocal, when it looks like there's more to this.....Bad America....

uncle, no vex. I haff seen the light

There’s no trophy here ma I have made errors too on this thread where I said Jamaica was visa free to Nigerians until someone corrected me and I admitted.

Meanwhile your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more 😂

ehizario2012:
Bros, the original BENSU na e turn to Ambrose Alli so... I go BENSU staff school. But you be senior bros.

Bendel State University, Ekpoma.

BENSU for me and many others.... Was Benue state University...... 🎓😁😂

Good morning All

Please who has shipped a car to Naija recently , can you recommend any good and responsive shipping agent who can handle a car with loads inside ? Also a good mechanic who converts Right hand cars (Aka Nikita) 😀to Left hand

Hello guys,

Please I'm to start work in IPSWICH by August. I'd really appreciate any accommodation pointers.
Thank you.

Mosseuirdoctore:
Hello guys,

Please I'm to start work in IPSWICH by August. I'd really appreciate any accommodation pointers.
Thank you.

Try spare room if you are looking for a single accommodation. Otherwise there are some lettings agents that would help you as accommodation isn't really difficult in Ipswich at the moment. You can get a room in a HMO as well.

On LemFi, the rate has only moved slightly — from around ₦2130 to ₦2070 per pound over the past two months & between 2,000 to 2,200 year to date. That’s quite steady, especially considering Nigeria’s usual FX volatility.

What’s odd is that this is happening even though oil prices are sitting below $70, while Nigeria’s 2025 budget is based on $75/barrel. So technically, the country is already running a budget deficit, yet the naira hasn’t nosedived as one might expect.

On top of that:

The stock market is booming — several equities are hitting the daily 10% limit multiple days in a row.

The debt market is hot — I locked in a 28% interest note on Fairmoney, which is wild. Rates are lower now but over 20% can still be found.

Overall, investor sentiment looks surprisingly bullish for the economy & Trump may just be giving him a boost by continually rattling otherwise safehaven western markets.

I’ve been a tough critic of Tinubu — and I still am — but if this level of relative stability holds, and the financial markets keep performing this way, he might actually be pulling off something significant.

Fred2020:
On LemFi, the rate has only moved slightly — from around ₦2130 to ₦2070 per pound over the past two months & between 2,000 to 2,200 year to date. That’s quite steady, especially considering Nigeria’s usual FX volatility.

The ill-thought interventions by the last government in the name of protecting the naira created alot of market distortions and inefficiencies which helped no one aside those round-tripping the naira. I was singing this on another thread years back.

Fact is most of the solutions we need are largely straightforward. Ending naira subsidy allowed capital to flow better with the true demand of the currency driving its value. Ending petrol subsidy and takeoff of Dangote refinery also reduced loads of waste and artificial demand for forex. Today, if petrol from 9ja is sold to surrounding nations, that's good as it's refined locally and creates jobs in Nigeria.

Certain issues still persist - the unreal rates in the debt market is also another distortion that needs to be fixed. If being used to drive down inflation, it should be short-lived else it stiffles the economy. Except FG revenue is growing that fast, the nation cannot afford to keep borrowing at such rates. The funds used to pay off that debt would be from printing new money which only serves to benefit the rich and drive inflation and subsequent devaluation down the line. Thats the reason why historically, 1-2 yrs after such rates are usually followed by more devaluation. That's not even considering the fact that businesses have to borrow at higher rates than the FG benchmark. How many businesses can pay back a loan at 30% compounded? Even an individual in the west has access to much cheaper credit. How then do businesses grow and invest? Another drawback is high guaranteed rates in the debt market funnels cash out from the real economy and equiy markets. Except the equity markets are steadily beating that return, folks would rather take the no-risk strategy and get 28% for doing nothing. I.e the rich get richer at the detriment of the economy

Goke7:
You need to think of your track record for future visa applications. Once it's discovered that you lied intentionally, things become more complicated in the future. I understand how you feel, but it's better and safer to be truthful. Remember, at the end of the application, you're making a declaration that all the information you have filled in is the truth to the best of your knowledge. Your home ties and your immediate family back home are already a strong factor in your application going through. I'll only suggest you indicate you have made some reservations on where you'll be staying, and not at your sister's place.

Bros I sent you an email, please I need some counsel

jedisco:
Certain issues still persist - the unreal rates in the debt market is also another distortion that needs to be fixed. If being used to drive down inflation, it should be short-lived else it stifles the economy.

I believe that's the CBN's aim - using high interest rates to tackle inflation. Not ideal, but textbook economics. Hopefully there'll be some relief for businesses soon. Even Argentina is gradually cutting interest rates.