ARTCO 2023, scholars task Nigerians on time management

.As Nico boss seeks end to African time mentality among Nigerians

The need for personal and collective self-discipline among Nigerians with regards to effective time management formed thrust of this year’s Annual Roundtable on Cultural Orientation (ARTCO), organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO).

The two-day event, which held in Makurdi, Benue State Capital, between November 28 and 29, created forum for scholars, chief executives of culture of the federation, culture enthusiasts and younger generations of Nigerians to deliberate on the issue of African Time with a view to understanding its history, its socio-economic consequences and the likely solutions.

For NICO, poor management of time could be partly responsible for Nigeria’s developmental challenge.
Welcoming guests to the event, the Executive Secretary, NICO, Mr. Ado M. Yahuza, noted that though the issue of African time has always been taken lightly, it has nevertheless, led constantly to missed opportunities, delayed progress, strained interpersonal relationships as well as hindered productivity.

With a theme, “The African Time Syndrome: Implication for National Development, the ES decried that the repercussion of poor time management extends beyond individual habits to affect the collective well-being and efficiency of the society and as such, demands collective attention towards eradicating the menace.

He added: “In essence, the repercussion of this discipline extends beyond individual habits to reflect the collective wellbeing and efficiency of our society and therefore demands our collective attention in the context of national development.

“Let us make this gathering a vibrant exchange of ideas as we approach this discourse with open hearts and minds. May these conversations not only illuminate the challenges posed by the African time syndrome but also shed light on the vast opportunities and significant benefits that can come with its elimination towards cultural harmony and national development,” the E.S said.

The event was chaired by a Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts and former Dean, Student Affairs, Benue State University, Professor Gowon Ama Doki.
He noted that the event slated for 10 am eventually begun one hour behind scheduled due to people’s adherence to African time.
He added that since he became conscious of time, the problem of African Time has persisted.

“Since I became conscious of time, I have been hearing about African time without understanding the concept behind it.”

While commending NICO for choosing the topic, he stressed that African Time has affected the society in several ways without evaluation. According to him, the event will reveal the socio-economic implications of poor management of time as it has become a challenge that Nigeria must overcome in its day to day activities.

Prof Doki also stressed the need for relevant government agencies to embark on aggressive sensitization campaign against African Time across the country.
The Royal Father of the Day, Tur Makurdi, Chief Aule Vincent, also applauded the theme of the roundtable, noting that it could not be more apt.
He spoke about Nigerian culture generally and its contributions to the development of any society.

“As a traditional institution, we are indeed delighted to identify with NICO for using the available resources within its reach to conscientise participants within the state and across the country on this important theme,” he said.

The technical session witnessed presentation of five scholarly papers on the subject matter. They include ‘The Benefits of Good Benefits of Time Management’ by Professor Paul A. Angahar of the Department of Accounting, Benue State University; ‘Leadership and Change Management Strategies for Promoting Culture of Punctuality and Time Consciousness’ by former Acting Director General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Mr. Kabiru Momoh; ‘African Time Syndrome: A Historical Overview’ by Dr. Elijah Terdoo Ikpanor, Department of History, Benue State University, Makurdi as well as ‘The Economic Cost of the African Time Syndrome delivered by Dr. Naomi Onyeje Doki.

In his presentation, Professor Angahar stated that although time is a finite and invaluable resource that all individuals possess equally given the same life span, how one utilizes it greatly impacts their ability to achieve goals, reduce stress and maintain a work-life balance.

“Effective or good time management is a skill that enables individuals to make the most of their time, thereby increasing their productivity and enhancing the quality of their lives.”

Earlier, he defined good time management as “the practice of using your time effectively and efficiently to accomplish your goals and tasks.”

According to him, it involves organising one’s tasks, prioritizing them and allocating time wisely to make the most of his or her available hours.

He listed key elements of good time management to include setting clear goals and priorities, task planning and scheduling, procrastination management, delegation and outsourcing of responsibilities as well as effective engagement of technological tools.

According to him, good management ensures personal development, professional success, emotional well-being, work-life balance, goal attainment, improved health and enhanced relationships.

“The benefits of good time management are far-reaching, impacting personal, professional, and academic aspects of an individual’s life. The ability to prioritize, plan, and execute tasks efficiently leads to increased productivity, reduced stress, better work-life balance, and an overall higher quality of life.

“By adopting effective time management techniques, individuals can unlock their full potential and achieve their goals. Technology can also play a significant role in enhancing time management skills.
“As our lives become busier and more demanding, mastering the art of time management is becoming increasingly crucial. It is a skill that empowers individuals to make the most of their time, accomplish their goals, and lead more fulfilling and balanced lives.
“Good time management is not just a skill; it’s a life-enhancing tool that enables individuals to thrive in a fast-paced world,” he concluded.

Dr. Ikpanor in his presentation held that while the subject of time elicits a serious debate in the workplace, top government functionaries, international business organisations, academia and policy-makers, there were no satisfactory answers that seemed appealing to the subconscious mind of onlookers to justify the value of African Time.

“Therefore, addressing the African Time phenomenon at a forum such as this is a service to Africa and it is hoped that it will free her from stereotypes that are advanced in discussing the African attitude towards time”, he said.

Historically, Ikpanor added that the concept of time in Africa dated back to antiquity and has a historical underpinning that shapes the African concept of time appreciation.
According to him, African seasons were not thought of as stretching evenly, rather they were considered as periods in a chain of events and one gradually culminated into another.

“This historical approach presents time in the sense of changing dynamics in traditional African societies that were influenced by time. Time in African traditional life is simply a composition of events which have occurred, those which are taking place now and those which are inevitably or immediately to occur.”

For Ikpanor, the advent of European colonialism brought about significant changes to the perception of time in Africa as Colonial agents introduced their concept of linear time, emphasizing punctuality, efficiency and adherence to schedules.

“This clashed with the traditional African approach to time, leading to misunderstandings and cultural friction.”

He concluded by stating that understanding African Time Syndrome goes beyond labelling it as a cultural quirk.
According to him, it requires a nuanced examination of the historical, anthropological and socio-economic factors that have shaped its existence.

“As we explore the intricacies of ATS, it has become evident that cultural phenomena like these are not isolated behaviours but manifestations of broader societal dynamics.
“Acknowledging and appreciating these dynamics is essential for fostering cross-cultural understanding and facilitating effective interactions in an increasingly interconnected global community.”
Dr. Doki highlighted the cost implication of African Time was more prominent in the economic sector. She added that the disruption of supply chains, inefficiencies in operations and missed business opportunities due to delays and missed appointments have the potential to significantly impacting profitability.

She however noted that in spite of the cultural conditioning, Nigerians actually ditch the African time culture in certain circumstances, “especially when travelling by air, when visiting a doctor or when going to school in some cases.”

Adding: “There is evidence that African Time is perpetuated by history, training and culture. However, the economic cost – monetary losses and non- monetary costs are large and need to be avoided.
“It is also more common in the government than the private sector spaces. There is more to gain from being timely to work and church and business. It is the responsibility of leaders and everyone to see the danger of African Time in their respective domains. The indictment on government needs to be taken seriously”, she said.

For Kabiru Momoh, leaders have enormous roles to play in influencing the conduct of their followers towards time management.

“Leaders as the name implies are positioned frontally to lead others who look up to them for guidance and direction.
“This means that leaders must be exemplary in their own actions. If therefore tardiness, which is associated with lack of time consciousness is prevalent in the family, school, organisations and in the country, the father, mother, teacher, chief executives and the President should be held culpable.
“But leaders of all shades must recognize the enormity of this responsibility thrust on them by providence and do the needful.”