By Ayo Owodunni
If you’ve ever sat in a Nigerian boardroom, you know it’s not just about strategy and financial reports. Sometimes, it feels like family politics—everyone smiling, but alliances shifting faster than you can say, “motion carried.” One minute you’re discussing budgets; the next, you’re wondering if you’ve accidentally walked into an episode of Big Brother Naija.
But make no mistake: decisions made in these rooms shape entire organizations, industries, and sometimes even the nation itself. So, how do you navigate the power plays without losing your principles—or your cool? Simple: master the politics, build the right alliances, and keep everything grounded in objectivity.
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Let’s be honest: saying “I don’t do politics” in the boardroom is like saying “I don’t do pepper” at a Nigerian party. Whether you like it or not, you’ll still end up with jollof rice that has serious fire. Politics is inevitable. It’s the undercurrent that drives how things really get done, from who controls the agenda to whose ideas get traction.
But there’s a difference between being politically intelligent and being manipulative. Political intelligence means you observe. Who are the key influencers? What motivates them? Who’s subtly campaigning for chairmanship in 2026? This isn’t about scheming; it’s about understanding the terrain so you don’t step on landmines.
Still, wisdom without values is dangerous. As Nigerians say, “na condition make crayfish bend”—but don’t let “condition” bend your principles. Anchor yourself in your values. Ask: Am I serving the organization’s mission, or just playing for my own team? Because at the end of the day, the boardroom might want your politics, but they’ll respect your integrity.
In Nigeria, we love our cliques—old boys’ network here, tribal connection there (to all my KC boys, Floreat!). If your only allies are people who look, think, and act like you, that’s not an alliance; that’s a “yes Sir or Ma” squad. And trust me, “yes Sir or Ma” squads don’t drive transformation; they just keep you comfortable.
Real alliances cut across differences. Partner with people who challenge your thinking but share your commitment to progress. That colleague who keeps poking holes in your strategy? They might be the one who helps you avoid a costly mistake. The young millennial who always asks, “But why?” could be your best innovator.
Use alliances to amplify impact, not to build camps. The reality is “If you wan waka far, waka with better people.” True influence is not about gathering fans; it’s about earning trust from those who don’t even agree with you all the time.
Sonetimes many boardrooms lose the plot. Discussions get heated, voices rise, and suddenly, someone is pushing an idea not because it makes sense, but because “na my turn.” At that point, the mission of the organization becomes a spectator sport.
The solution? Objectivity.
Anchor your decisions in evidence: financial data, market trends, stakeholder insights—whatever it takes to separate facts from vibes. Frameworks and metrics may not be sexy, but they keep the process honest. When everyone knows the yardstick being used, it’s harder for politics to hijack progress.
Explain the “why” behind decisions. As we say, “if you talk true, you go die; if you no talk true, you go still die.” It is better to talk true and rest. Clarity builds credibility.
Navigating Nigerian boardrooms is not for the faint of heart. There will always be egos, alliances, and the occasional power play that makes you wonder what is going on. The reality though is power is not the enemy—misused power is.
When you master the politics without selling your soul, build alliances that elevate rather than entrench, and keep decisions tied to mission, you don’t just survive the boardroom. You shape it.
So, next time you step into that board meeting, estate meeting, church meeting, family meeting, or the party committee for your next association meeting, remember: you’re not there to “win.” You’re there to make the kind of impact that lasts long after your term, title, or tenure.
• Owodunni is City Councillor in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
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