Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s vice president, former two-term governor of Borno State, banker, politician, and businessman, has a story that young people can actually learn from as he clocks 60 today, Wednesday, 2 September. Shettima is not perfect. No one is. Perfection belongs to the Almighty, our Creator. But there are real lessons to draw from how he has navigated life, built his career and risen through different stages of leadership.
I will try, as much as possible, to break some of these lessons down for easy understanding and assimilation. First, as a young Nigerian, understand that education and skills are your first source of power. Vice President Kashim Shettima understood this and acted upon it. He studied Agricultural Economics at the University of Maiduguri, before obtaining a Master’s degree from the University of Ibadan.
He subsequently built a career in the banking sector, working with institutions including Commercial Bank of Africa, African International Bank and Zenith Bank, where he eventually became the General Manager of the Maiduguri branch, at a relatively young age. There is a lesson here for every young Nigerian: no matter where you start, invest in education and acquire useful skills. Your first job may not be your dream job.
Your first salary may not be impressive. Your first opportunity may not come with the recognition you desire. But every experience can become a building block for something bigger. Shettima’s years in banking undoubtedly exposed him to financial management, corporate discipline, leadership, networking and the workings of the private sector. Those experiences later became useful assets when he moved into politics and public leadership.
The next lesson is the importance of staying and serving your people, especially in times of crisis.