We met with Ms. Sinmisola Nojimu-Yusuf, a vibrant young woman who is taking giant strides in contributing to the development of our Continent. This is an interview you want to read till the end. Lots of insights and lessons to be learned.
So sit back, read and enjoy.
- Who is Sinmisola Nojimu-Yusuf?
I can be best described as a 21st century empowered woman. Empowered by my faith which is central to everything I do, empowering others and adding value.
- What makes you so passionate about nation building?
Nigeria as we all know is what you would call a developing nation. The painful thing however is the very slow process in which this development is happening. There’s little or no progress and we are moving at a snail speed.
I feel responsible for creating the future that I want and I’m not one to push away responsibilities. There are so many issues and I’m crazy enough to I believe I can play a part by bringing my people out of the grip of poverty and backwardness.
- How do you balance being a career woman with being a nation builder?
I really don’t see them as two separate things. I feel like my career is a part of my overall objective of continent building. By being successful and excellent in my career, I believe I am going to inspire younger people to want to live a life of excellence and be contributing members of our society.
What does it mean to be an excellent employee/career woman?
It means to add value; real value to the businesses you work for. As the businesses grow; more revenue = more tax coming back to the government, more jobs are created, and on and on. It’s a cycle, I see my career as an instrument of nation building. Doing my job diligently and excellently in a way that translates to real business results is nation building as far as I am concerned.
I don’t need to be volunteering on the streets or doing a charity work to feel like I’m building a nation. Going to work daily, being diligent and being excellent at my task is nation building as far as I am concerned.
- What are things you wish you could do to contribute to our nation but have been unable to do?
I’m careful to use the word “unable” because it’s really a question of times and seasons. The things I want to do but haven‘t yet done I will do eventually as I continue to gather the resources, knowledge, skills and credentials required to sit at those tables.
One of such is in the area of education. I believe the world is going beyond formal education yet we still place all our value on it. There’s a need to equip youths with the SOFT SKILLS needed to thrive in the future of work such as creativity, problem solving, digital literacy et al. I desire to pass this knowledge to youth on a wider scale.
- Your growth at PZ Cussons has been commendable. What would you say has been a key factor to your growth?
Well, I am no longer at PZ Cussons but I did start my professional career there after my NYSC. One key growth driver (more like 2) for me has been preparing for and taking advantage of opportunities. At PZ Cussons, it all started with me taking advantage of a graduate trainee opportunity at the company.
I had done undergraduate internships within the marketing space so when I went for the interviews, I could answer the questions confidently given I already had exposure to the field, knew the lingo and had taken online courses.
After my training, I emerged as the best performing trainee. When an opportunity to work with the Africa region team came up, I was considered for it. They say talent is evenly distributed but opportunity is not, I totally agree.
- What problems have you seen in our nation and how do you think we can fix it as individuals?
I think our major problem in Nigeria is responsibility. Nobody in Nigeria is oblivious to the issues that are present in our nation. The Average Nigerian, inclusive of those at the top and bottom of the pyramid can tell you at least 10 things that are wrong with Nigeria.
We know the issues, the challenge however is; we don’t see ourselves as responsible for solving the problems. If for instance, we see ourselves as responsible for solving the environmental pollution problems in Nigeria, we won’t throw litter on the roads and random corners leading to reduced pollution.
We need to start seeing ourselves as responsible for the problems and take actionable steps in fixing them in our own way, however little.
- What would you never be caught wearing?
You know those big chains that hip-hop artists wore in videos back in the day? You’ll definitely never see me wear jewelry like that. DEFINITELY!
- How does your style reflect your personal brand?
I am value adding excellent woman and I try to bring this forward in my appearance as much as possible. I wouldn’t have to wait to become the MD of a company before I begin to look like one. So, I’m making sure my nail is done nicely per time, my hair is in good enough state, my clothes are neat and tidy, coming prepared and reflecting excellence and class in my outfit. In summary, my vision for myself must be reflected in my outfit.
- Your journey to being a nation builder is an ongoing one, what are some things you have learned on this journey?
It can be a bit overwhelming, it’s hard to stay positive about changing a country wherein the people are very pessimistic and do not believe anything good can come out of it. People are quick to point out how the small scale efforts we make go a little way to solve the problem. If I’m being honest these comments and criticisms can be very disappointing and somewhat paralyzing.
I am now learning to focus on the things I can control. For example, whilst I cannot stop the political parties from rigging elections, I can make sure there is a chance of my vote being counted by going out to vote and encouraging others too.
Nation building/development is a marathon, not a sprint. Little drops of water they say make an ocean, so every drop counts. I try to maintain consciousness of the magnanimity of the problems we have to solve but not to the extent where I feel powerless.
- You speak so excellently and with poise. What would you advise those who would like to improve their public speaking skills?
I think you just have to be intentional about it. I used to read a lot of books growing up and this did wonders for my vocabulary. I recommend reading, joining a public speaking class, and practice!
- What are you top 3 personal development tips aside reading books?
First: Exposure! Exposure!! Exposure! There’s power in being able to see that certain things you didn’t know were possible actually are possible. You can get exposure into many possibilities through travel, mind travel (reading), watching eye opening stuff and even social media, my social media feed is curated, I try to follow people who trigger me to want to be better and inspire me towards good works in a healthy way, not in a way that triggers covetousness.
Secondly; If you can’t read, listen. Use podcasts, videos on YouTube, series, etc.
Lastly; DOING. You would not become a better singer if you do not sing, neither would you become a better writer if you do not write. That thing you know how to do, perfect it by doing it often, the one you do not know how to do, learn it by trying.
