Why I Want to Rule Nigeria

Thirty-five-year-old Adamu Garba II is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of IPI Solutions Nigeria Limited, a leading cloud computing company, headquartered in Lagos. At age 26, the Adamawa State-born information technology guru is already an emperor

Can you take us through your background ? I was born 35 years ago into the family of Alhaji Adamu Jauro Garba and Hajiya Hadiza Garba at Luggere ward in Jimeta, Yola-North Local Govt of Adamawa State, Nigeria. It was pretty much adventurous growing up between Luggere and rural Jambutu wards. The memories were really exciting as I can recall how in company of other children,went fishing, fetched firewood ,fruits and vegetables from bushes around and take home as staples. I had my elementary school at Jambutu primary school and Luggere primary school, then attended Doubeli secondary school and finished in 2001.

I later proceeded to Kano University of Technology through pre-degree programme where i studied electrical engineering. There,I was encouraged to contest for the position of Students’ Union President as a result of my leadership skill and interest in the people.

I obliged and campaigned on principle of equal treatment for all irrespective of tribe or background which was well accepted. Being a state university, the school management was not comfortable with our action and became curious that non indigenes might want to take over the school. At a time I was away to attend a laboratory practice at Bayero University, Kano, a riot broke out and that got me rusticated,though I wasn’t involved, the school maintained its decision on me because most of the members that took part in the riot were my supporters. I later continued my education and professional certifications.

You studied electrical engineering but you are an information technology expert.

Yes,you are right. As a student , I became worried that most of the things that we were being taught had no practical applications outside school. I realised that when i asked questions related to the field, the answers I get from practitioners is usually different from what we learnt in school and even the lecturers seemed not to have a practical experience on what they were teaching. I opted for engineering because I needed something more hands-on, yet I ended up with a lot of calculations with no real-life application,so I felt I was wasting my time. The period I was rusticated in school offered me an ample opportunity to redirect my step. so , I joined NIIT Kano,in 2005 to study Microsoft Systems and technology under its MSCE programme. Before then,I never touched or used computer. Considering its real life applications, I fell in love with computers and became more inquisitive until I developed a career in it, the result of which is what I am today.

As a successful businessman, what were the challenges allenges you encountered?

As it is usually ually said that nothing good comes easy,it wasn’t all that smooth at the beginning.Basically, ning.Basically, my venture into business at an early age put my ability and experience xperience to question as i had to compete ete with senior and older colleagues. Most of my client saw high risk in allowing a young man of 26 years old ld handle their critical IT infrastructure e worth millions of naira. A lot of checks and tests were done while some will delay lay my payment until the job is satisfactorily torily delivered. It became so difficult that hat sometimes I had to trek to work. I remember i used to trek from Surulere e to Samuel Manuwa Street, around 1004 estate in Victoria Island and trek back k because I didn’t have fare. These challenges hallenges strengthened my resolve to build ild my business.

Are there politicians in your family line?

No. My father ther is an Islamic scholar, with traditional title in his village while hile my mother was a full time house ouse wife and now ,a petty trader. er.

Under democratic mocratic regimes, no young person erson has ever ruled Nigeria, ia, what gave you the impression ion and courage that you can n do the job?

It is important tant for us to chart a better r way for our nation. In leadership, adership, age is not a barrier, wisdom is key. I have an excellent cellent manifesto on how we can improve the life of ordinary ry Nigerians by deliberate and committed effort to transit from poverty. A manifesto anifesto that will transform m us from the current supplier lier nation to a real free market arket economy. Our manifesto sto will change the entire education ucation system to skill-based d knowledge and training systems; ems; a manifesto that will define ne the soul of a true Nigerian an identity. A manifesto that at will unleash the power of 180 million Nigerian spirit rit to the world, to create impossible sible innovations and produce very y successful talent pool as is obtainable ble in advanced countries. I think Nigerians should start to prepare are for a new Nigerian dream am by our great Nigerian renaissance aissance project where each citizen itizen will transparently y measure our government ment in 4 key metrics namely: Better education tion and training for our children; better standard rd healthcare facilities cilities for all Nigerians; ans; better market t to