While considering my career options after my degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), I thought of two major options: going back to the university for a degree in architecture, my first love, or pursuing a career in accounting, my new love. My love for accounting was motivated by my brother who worked for Akintola Williams & Co at the time; I loved how methodical he was, how he was always impeccably dressed – I wanted to be just like him.

After completing the mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) programme, I got a job with the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos as a cashier in one of its restaurants. This role was very tasking as I had to stand all through the daily 7-hour shift. I, however, made up my mind to further my education on the day an ex-school mate came for lunch with his parents and I had to attend to them. I remember saying to myself silently, “I will be back here for lunch as a guest; alone OR with my family”. I resigned six months into the job and joined Akintola Williams & Co as an audit staff with the opportunity to study for a degree in accountancy. In line with the organisation’s practice, I needed to complete the three-stage Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) examination in about four years. The journey to becoming a chartered accountant was tasking but worth the relief and fulfilment that accompanied the final result. I joined Eko Le Meridien Hotel after qualifying as a chartered accountant, but I soon realised I needed a more challenging role because the role was too routine for me. I eventually took the very tough decision to resign four months into the job. 

Honeywell calling 

I joined a finance company, a decision which turned out to be a bad one, but I made the best of the one year experience. The company needed to obtain a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) license and this took me to the Chairman of Honeywell Group for referral to the CBN. Rather than get help for the referral, I got an interview invite for the position of an accountant with the Group. I reckon that it didn’t take the Chairman an extensive discussion with me for him to identify inherent qualities of an accountant in me. 

In September 1993, I joined the Honeywell Group; four months after a very intense and competitive recruitment process. 26 years on, it has been an exciting and interesting experience. 

Soon after the on-boarding experience at the Group’s corporate headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos, I started out as an accountant with one of the operating companies of the Group, Skyview Estates Limited (now Uraga Real Estates Limited), About two years later, I was transferred to Honeywell Flour Mills. There I had the opportunity to practise full accounting and had the opportunity of cross functional postings. I enjoyed the support of colleagues across the business and I must conclude that so far, it has been very eventful.

The accountant as a sales man

The trajectory of my career changed in 2005 with my transfer from the Finance Department to the Sales Department.  This was an impromptu management decision due to a gap created in the sales leadership team and I didn’t have the privilege of consultation. My initial reaction was frustration, having worked as an accountant for over a decade, coupled with my age-long ambition of reaching the peak of my career in finance. The move was however a blessing in disguise. Today, I thank God for that fate. 

The transfer opened me up to the commercial side of the business and I soon discovered the innate sales and leadership talents in me. Leading a field sales force required more than a selling experience. You require tact and participatory leadership. I enjoyed the support of my direct reports and the entire field force. Together, we were able to increase sales volumes across the regions without any major compromise on product margin levels.

The Head of Sales role also gave me the opportunity to tour customer locations across the country. I successfully worked with existing business partners while creating additional major business partners, many of whom are still in the business today. The sales function came with very interesting experiences, which I would like to describe as the good, the bad and the ugly. 

The Good: I saw and experienced Nigeria. I had to learn Hausa, basic but functional (sales Hausa as I call it) to get the job done and truly communicate with my customers. The experience was a rich one and I made some contacts which continue to remain valuable. 

The Bad: A salesman is constantly on the road. One notable trip was a flight to Abuja which lost altitude at such a dramatic speed due to what seemed like a failed engine and we had to return to Lagos where we were greeted by an applause of a multitude of concerned onlookers who were expecting a crash. The only thing I remember was the promise I made to God in panic: “Please, deliver me from this episode and I’d never go near an airport in my life!” I reconciled with God and two days later, I was back on the plane to Abuja; to get the deal done. 

The Ugly: In my desperation to firm up a deal in Kano, in the north of the country, I travelled into town and found myself in the main market (Singer Market) right in the middle of a riot, I stood out like a sore thumb in my suit and only escaped with the help of a concerned customer by wearing his agbada over my suit to blend into the chaotic crowd. 

When leadership beckoned

Following a vacancy in a sister company (Honeywell Superfine Foods Limited) I was again put to leadership test when I had to act as the secretary of a management committee. This role later translated to the Commercial Director of the business and exposed me to yet another learning opportunity on managing operations in a manufacturing business. I had anxiety associated with a new challenge, but I was determined to make a success of the opportunity. 

A first major task was the launch and marketing of new products: Honeywell Spaghetti and Honeywell Macaroni. Again, I had to manage people, assets and situations. I was in the role for 4 years and it was part of what prepared me for what was to come next. 

With the retirement of the pioneer CEO of Honeywell Flour Mills, higher leadership beckoned; and I felt ready, after my varied experience, to throw my hat in the ring. The selection process was yet another memorable ride. Truly, Tai Solarin’s famous words, “May your road be rough!”, are more than a prayerful wish. They describe the reality of my journey to leadership. But I would admit that the rigour of the selection process prepared me for the experiences that have defined my time as Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills. From the frenzied competition within the flour-milling industry, to the traffic situation in Apapa, a major factory site, to growing and expanding the business, and the activities leading to the recent commissioning of operations at our new Sagamu factory complex, I have seen that leadership can only be rewarding for those who are ready to exert their physical, psychological and spiritual strengths to justify the confidence placed in them by the position. 

Leadership demands value creation, focus, industry, responsibility, devotion, commitment and integrity. It is from this standpoint that I want to encourage those who desire a career with Honeywell Group to be ready to work hard if they want to attain the peak of their professions. Indeed, commitment like capability is transparent. Hard work is rewarding.