During elections, many Nigerians (both individuals and organizations) proudly post photos on social media with ink-stained thumbs which is the symbolic badge of civic duty. Nigerians will post something like “My vote, my voice. Nigeria must be great again!” OR “Let your PVC speak today.” OR “Democracy is not a spectator sport—go out and vote!” OR “We move! #ANigeriaThatWorks” OR “Today, we decide the future of our children.”

But for millions of entrepreneurs and professionals, that power ends the moment the polling station closes. Their realities are unchanging: inconsistent power supply, crippling inflation, delayed salaries, multiple taxes, and policy confusion.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: voting alone won’t save your career or business.

Yes, democracy requires the vote. But democracy also demands vigilance, engagement, and economic participation between elections. If all you do is vote and wait for miracles, you are outsourcing your destiny to people who might not even understand your struggle.

This week we are challenging passive citizenship. We will explore why Nigeria’s career professionals and entrepreneurs must go beyond the ballot, becoming active players in shaping economic policies, influencing governance, and holding leadership accountable; not every four years, but every single day.

Voting is Necessary but Not Sufficient
Elections are critical to democracy, but they are only the entry point, not the destination. Voting as the ultimate democratic power is just a myth. From my observation of democratic performance, real democratic power lies in 5 crucial things (1) Policy influence (2) Budget monitoring (3) Community organizing (4) Legal reform advocacy and (5) Economic stakeholder engagement.

Unfortunately, most Nigerians disengage after elections—leaving a vacuum that political elites are more than happy to fill with self-interest since the affected majority are not interested in further engagement.

In India, the Right to Information (RTI) movement empowered citizens not just to vote, but to demand transparency in government spending. Local communities began auditing budgets, exposing fraud, and influencing development priorities—between elections.
That’s democracy in action. That’s where transformation happens.

Why Career Professionals Must Engage Beyond Elections
A. Policy Shapes Your Paycheck
Every fiscal policy— taxation, forex decisions, fuel subsidies etc—has a ripple effect on your salary, job security, and purchasing power. When you don’t track or challenge these policies, you end up reacting instead of preparing.

For example, the sudden fuel subsidy removal in 2023 sent inflation soaring, yet few professionals had engaged preemptively in any policy consultation. Post-election, many watched in frustration as transportation costs rose by 200%, wages remained stagnant, and personal savings eroded.

You don’t just need to vote. You need to scrutinize budgets, demand worker protection, and participate in pre-policy dialogues.

Silence Is Expensive
• When professionals avoid labor unions, weak negotiations occur.
• When teachers ignore education reform, their salaries suffer.
• When tech workers avoid policy forums, data protection laws are mishandled.
Democracy works best when experts get involved; not when they watch from the sidelines.

Why Entrepreneurs Must Be Political Without Being Partisan
Many Nigerian entrepreneurs say, “I’m not into politics.” But that mindset is dangerous.
You don’t have to join a party to be political. Politics is about resource allocation and if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.

While you say, “I’m not into politics.” What we don’t realise is that every day, politics is into you. It is in the multiple taxes you’re asked to pay. It is in the inconsistent power supply you have to “generator” your way around. It is in the loan interest rates, the regulations, the permits, the bribes you pretend are “normal.”

You’re already paying the price of disengagement. You just don’t call it that. You don’t have to run for office. But you have to pay attention. Ask questions. Join business associations. Challenge illegal levies. You cannot afford to be neutral in a system that bills you emotionally, financially, and structurally.

What Does “Political” Look Like for a Business Owner?
• Asking your local government how your taxes are used
• Collaborating with business advocacy groups to influence SME laws
• Educating customers about their economic rights
• Challenging illegal levies and permits through official channels

I discovered that in Kenya, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce trains small business owners in policy literacy. These SMEs now participate in county budget planning, ensuring fair taxation and access to infrastructure.

Nigeria’s entrepreneurs can learn from this.

When you disengage, bad policies thrive in darkness. But when you show up, challenge, and organize; you force accountability.

You may remember the Lagos Lekki toll review. After public outcry and organized town halls, the proposed hike in toll fees was paused. Civic engagement changed economic outcomes. This is not magic. It is citizenship.

4 Things Engagement Beyond the Ballot Look Like?
A. Track Policy That Affects You
Subscribe to newsletters from BudgetIT, SERAP and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG). These platforms break down policies that affect your income, business, and taxes.

B. Join Sector-Based Advocacy Groups
Whether you’re in fintech, agriculture, accounting, creative arts, or health, there’s likely an association lobbying for your sector. Join, pay dues, attend forums and serve.

Examples include Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Network of Bookkeepers and Accountants (NOBA) and many others.

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