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On the nature, quality of leadership and management

by NWACHUKWU
May 4, 2026
in Comments
Energy shortage and the pains of hunger

The society operates a system that is organised and governed by designated persons or individuals that are put in positions of authority (either through democratically electoral process, or by unanimous selections and appointments by all stakeholders), for purposes of representing and piloting the affairs of the entire people, with a common goal and also to protect their mutual interests and the expected benefits. That is why it is often said that “man is a social animal”. This asserts the proof that humans under normal circumstances, naturally operate an absolutely ordered society or systematically function through hierarchical administrative control in all settings; of which the essence is to avoid disorderliness and chaos in all human interactions amongst themselves.

 

Social order demands that all activities, be it social, political, economical, religious/faith grouping or organised civic grouping, have to follow through structured organs that regulate, control, and monitor intentional human errors and unreasonable excesses by lawless individuals found within the system. The administrative control, therefore, positions as a check mechanism to monitor and maintain human conducts within an allowed or permissible range. Otherwise, disruptive situations might erupt and slow down progress within the human ecosystem.

 

Leadership in its truest meaning does not just ordinarily mean holding a position of authority. It actually focuses on realisable visionary ideas by persuasively inspiring other people, for purposes of clear reasons “why” they will strategically drive result-oriented change that will eventually benefit all stakeholders. That is leadership. The leadership tasks therefore, are particularly conducted to ensure seamless planning that aligns teams towards a targeted purpose. In our contemporary society, leaders are expected to strategically operate like “spiders” right in the center of a cobweb, focused on actualising the specific goals that are the “end sought” or the expected “change”, from the designed plan of action. The leader purposefully builds the cobweb and takes a position with policy for action that is linked to complex moves that involve thoughts, insights, experience, ideas, expectations, course, tactics/ploy, journey, and finally the result-oriented change/specific goals. 

 

In leadership, all personalities involved characteristically manifest certain qualities, among which are – visionary outlook, honesty, will power, courage, knowledge, selflessness, consistency, and efficient communication (however, not exclusively exhaustible). In leadership, diverse experiences are gained by different leaders under all imaginable circumstances (the good, the bad, and the ugly); which is the prize of leadership, especially when things start getting tough and rough. Human psychology has a mantra that “uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”. Whether it is great successes or terrible failures that occur under the watchful eyes of a substantive leadership, that of course will definitely be ascribed to whoever is in authority. History will likely not be kind to any leader who fails while in authority. It therefore behooves on anyone in leadership (or while in office) never to record failures, as well as unacceptable errors. Effectively, therefore, the leaders that are given to recording high leadership performances would be manifesting high emotional intelligence, armed with skills to inspire stakeholders (and focused on developing others). Such leaders would have the qualities of decisiveness (while maintaining a clear vision), and have integrity (as authentic stewards that are resilient to success).

 

It is interesting and equally important to point out from another perspective, the aspect that complements the duties of mankind towards achieving their collectively expected goals. This dimension dwells mainly on economic principles of the allocation of limited resources, to competitively gain advantage and register the needed organisational success through expected performance. The duties and assignments in management majorly focus on organising the available resources to efficiently achieve the defined objectives (through effective monitoring of all assignments as strategically planned and directed). The management actually makes things happen from the point of purposeful leadership, targeted at actualizing seamless growth. This, in no small measure involves the entire workforce or stakeholders communicating with power of clarity. The management effectively leverages strengths towards directed achievable targets for successful performance; which can only be done with courageous determination. The management expressly runs on the directives dished out to them by strategically creating ideas with guided values and curiosity to deliver on targeted organisational goals.

     

The overall implementation of the organisational plan as directed, for the management to prosecute, control and maintain towards a common purpose for the benefit of all stakeholders, is the real icing on the cake, towards accomplishing a mission for the set organisational goals. To achieve the expected success, management skills are professionally applied with expertise otherwise, high performance might not suffice at all levels of managing organisational assignments. Extrapolating these in practical terms to any chosen business concern, its efficient application, no doubt would go a long way registering great successes as being hoped for. It is therefore advisable that in all organs of human existence, leadership qualities and management skills should be taken as serious business that demand every bit of human care that should be professionally handled without guile. The lessons therein should be taken in discharging all duties in every human endeavour (including political engagements in some economies that are still not in such a loop for national socioeconomic emancipation).

 

  • business a.m. commits to publishing a diversity of views, opinions and comments. It, therefore, welcomes your reaction to this and any of our articles via email: comment@businessamlive.com 
NWACHUKWU
NWACHUKWU
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Onafriq, a pan-African payments company, is set to discontinue its Baxi agent banking business in Nigeria after five years, citing naira depreciation, rising operating costs and intensifying competition that have weakened the segment’s profitability. The planned shutdown will affect the agent banking operations conducted through Baxi under Onafriq Nigeria Payments Limited. However, the decision does not signal the company’s withdrawal from Nigeria, as it intends to retain its cross-border payments network and card issuing services in the country. In a statement, Onafriq said changes in Nigeria’s operating environment since 2024 had significantly altered the economics of its offline agent banking business, making the existing model unsustainable. The move marks a strategic shift for the company, which entered Nigeria’s agent banking market to expand access to financial services through a network of agents providing transaction services outside traditional bank branches. Onafriq attributed the decision to a combination of macroeconomic pressures and structural changes in the country’s payments industry. According to the company, naira depreciation and inflation have affected transaction volumes, increased operating expenses and undermined the sustainability of its agent banking operations. The growing adoption of instant account-to-account transfers has also changed the mix of transactions handled by agents, while heightened competition among payment service providers has put further pressure on margins. These developments have made it increasingly difficult for the business to remain viable under its existing operating structure, prompting the company to reassess its long-term strategy. Dare Okoudjou, founder and chief executive officer of Onafriq, said the decision to close the business was difficult, particularly given the efforts of employees, agents and business partners who helped build the Baxi network. “We entered Nigeria with conviction and commitment, but did not achieve the outcome we set out for. Closing this business was a difficult decision to arrive at, one that affects colleagues, agents, and business partners across Nigeria who poured their hearts and soul into building out the Baxi network,” Okoudjou said. Despite the closure, he reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Nigerian market, noting that the group would continue to serve customers through its payments network and card issuing operations. Onafriq entered Nigeria’s agent banking market in 2021 through the acquisition of Baxi, also known as Capricorn Digital Limited. The company said it continued investing in the business through 2023, with efforts focused on expanding and strengthening its agent network. However, a subsequent review of the business’s long-term prospects and financial sustainability led to the decision to wind down the operation. As part of the transition, Onafriq said agents onboarded through the Baxi platform had been moved to another principal bank, a step intended to facilitate continuity for the affected agents. The company has also directed agents to transfer their funds to their preferred principal bank within 30 days, adding that its teams would provide support throughout the transition process. Employees whose roles are linked to the agent banking business will also be consulted and supported during the wind-down, with Onafriq pledging to treat affected workers fairly.

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Onafriq, a pan-African payments company, is set to discontinue its Baxi agent banking business in Nigeria after five years, citing naira depreciation, rising operating costs and intensifying competition that have weakened the segment’s profitability. The planned shutdown will affect the agent banking operations conducted through Baxi under Onafriq Nigeria Payments Limited. However, the decision does not signal the company’s withdrawal from Nigeria, as it intends to retain its cross-border payments network and card issuing services in the country. In a statement, Onafriq said changes in Nigeria’s operating environment since 2024 had significantly altered the economics of its offline agent banking business, making the existing model unsustainable. The move marks a strategic shift for the company, which entered Nigeria’s agent banking market to expand access to financial services through a network of agents providing transaction services outside traditional bank branches. Onafriq attributed the decision to a combination of macroeconomic pressures and structural changes in the country’s payments industry. According to the company, naira depreciation and inflation have affected transaction volumes, increased operating expenses and undermined the sustainability of its agent banking operations. The growing adoption of instant account-to-account transfers has also changed the mix of transactions handled by agents, while heightened competition among payment service providers has put further pressure on margins. These developments have made it increasingly difficult for the business to remain viable under its existing operating structure, prompting the company to reassess its long-term strategy. Dare Okoudjou, founder and chief executive officer of Onafriq, said the decision to close the business was difficult, particularly given the efforts of employees, agents and business partners who helped build the Baxi network. “We entered Nigeria with conviction and commitment, but did not achieve the outcome we set out for. Closing this business was a difficult decision to arrive at, one that affects colleagues, agents, and business partners across Nigeria who poured their hearts and soul into building out the Baxi network,” Okoudjou said. Despite the closure, he reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Nigerian market, noting that the group would continue to serve customers through its payments network and card issuing operations. Onafriq entered Nigeria’s agent banking market in 2021 through the acquisition of Baxi, also known as Capricorn Digital Limited. The company said it continued investing in the business through 2023, with efforts focused on expanding and strengthening its agent network. However, a subsequent review of the business’s long-term prospects and financial sustainability led to the decision to wind down the operation. As part of the transition, Onafriq said agents onboarded through the Baxi platform had been moved to another principal bank, a step intended to facilitate continuity for the affected agents. The company has also directed agents to transfer their funds to their preferred principal bank within 30 days, adding that its teams would provide support throughout the transition process. Employees whose roles are linked to the agent banking business will also be consulted and supported during the wind-down, with Onafriq pledging to treat affected workers fairly.

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