The ME-Economy and making of a global safety leader

This week, I’m taking a break from our usual discourse to shine the spotlight on someone very dear to me—my elder brother, Engr. Kamil Abiodun. I’m doing that because his story exemplifies the ME Economy I have always advocated. His journey is not just a personal victory, but a walking billboard of a principle I deeply believe in and advocate for: the ME Economy (see Businessday of July 29, 2023, where I discussed extensively the ME Economy).

What is the ME Economy?

It’s a mindset. A personal economy built on the idea that YOU are your own biggest asset. Not what Nigeria can do for you, but what you can do for Nigeria—and in so doing lift yourself beyond borders. It is a shift from entitlement to empowerment, from blame to boldness. And my brother’s story embodies this better than any theory ever could.

Nigeria trains giants—we must give back

Let’s get real. Nigeria’s education system is far from perfect, but here’s the paradox: our doctors, nurses, engineers, and tech talents, trained on a shoestring budget compared to their foreign counterparts, regularly outperform and outshine when they step onto global platforms. That tells you something. As dysfunctional as things may seem, the system still manages to produce greatness.

So, here’s my challenge to every Nigerian reading this: if Nigeria gave you your wings, why spit at the sky? If the system helped launch you—whether through subsidised education, NYSC, or federal universities—then you owe it to her, not as a favour, but as a duty.

Be an ambassador, not a megaphone of hate

There’s a difference between constructive criticism and bitter contempt. If we keep reinforcing the narrative that Nigeria is nothing but corruption, poverty, and poor leadership, then what future are we speaking into existence for our youth?

The difference between the informed and the ignorant is… asking

Before I dive into my brother’s journey, let me stress something critical: a lot of people fail not because there are no opportunities but because they don’t know how to ask or where to look. We live in a country where ignorance often hides gold.

My brother didn’t graduate top of his class. In fact, he graduated with an average performance in Chemical Sciences from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB). And like thousands of graduates, he hit the Nigerian wall—no job, no connections, and no clear future.

But he got up every day and hustled—literally left the house daily in search of work, never letting his average result define his destiny.

That’s lesson one: Don’t stay stuck. Move. Ask. Knock. Hustle.

From Unipetrol to Sunderland: The power of a determined mind

During one of his many job hunts, he secured a contract position at Unipetrol (now Oando). Though not a full-time job, it was a start. At the same time, he enrolled for a Master’s degree at the University of Lagos, positioning himself for any opportunity that might come. Still, his dream remained: to study abroad.

But where was the money going to come from? We weren’t born into wealth. That’s when he took the boldest step of all—he approached the Lagos State Bursary Board, not to fund a local degree, but to fund his admission at the University of Sunderland in the UK. Most Lagosians didn’t even know this was possible.

And yes—it worked. Lagos State paid for his tuition, feeding, accommodation, and transportation throughout his studies in the UK. The only condition? That he must return and serve the state upon graduation. He did just that.

He returned—not with pride, but with purpose—and reported himself to serve. But here lies the irony: Lagos State, which had spent thousands of pounds training a world-class Safety Engineer at a time when the state was plagued with collapsing buildings and a dangerously poor safety culture, had no place for him. There was no available position. With no structured plan to harness such specialized talent, he was issued a release form and permitted to pursue his career elsewhere. It was a missed opportunity—one that reflects the larger national issue of talent mismanagement. Yet, despite the disappointment, he never turned his back on Lagos or Nigeria.

From Ikorodu to the world

Even without a formal role in Lagos, my brother remained a dedicated patriot. He submitted ideas, volunteered his expertise, and contributed towards establishing the Lagos State Safety Commission, especially during the era when building collapses plagued the state. He could have walked away. Many would have. But he stayed.

Jobs have taken him across continents—from Africa to the Middle East, Asia to Europe. And everywhere he’s gone, he’s carried Nigeria on his chest. Not as a burden, but as a badge of honour. He didn’t wait for Nigeria to be perfect. He just did what he could with what he had.
That’s the ME-Economy. That’s national service redefined.

A historic milestone: The first African vice president of ASSP Region IX Today, I write not just as a proud brother but as a grateful Nigerian. Effective July 1, 2025, Engr. Kamil Abiodun (MSC, CMIOSH, CSP) will become the Regional Vice President (RVP) for Region IX of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). This is historic, not just for him, but for all of Africa.

Since ASSP was founded over a century ago, this is the first time a Nigerian—an African—will hold this position. Region IX spans the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia, including countries such as Nigeria, India, the UAE, and Kuwait, with student chapters in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other locations.

As RVP, my brother will oversee Area Directors and Chapter Presidents, chair the Regional Operating Committee, and work with global leaders to enhance safety culture in the workplace. But he’s not stopping there. He plans to engage with the country’s lawmakers and the Lagos State government on ways to bridge local safety practices with global standards and see how Nigeria can leverage ASSP’s network and resources.

The message to our youth

To every Nigerian youth reading this:

Don’t let your average grades limit you.

Don’t let ignorance of opportunity cage your potential.

Don’t be a megaphone of problems; become a microphone of possibilities.

Embrace the ME-Economy. Build your personal economy so strong that you become a net contributor, not a complainer.

We need you. Nigeria needs you. And yes, even with all her flaws, Nigeria is still worth fighting for.

In Closing…
On behalf of the entire Abiodun family, and especially our hometown of Ikorodu, I say a huge congratulations to Engr. Kamil Abiodun. Thank you for showing us that patriotism is not weakness. That giving back is not foolishness. That you can be proudly Nigerian and still fly on global wings.

May your tenure as RVP of ASSP be marked by groundbreaking impact and open new doors for other Nigerians to step into global safety leadership. To everyone reading this, I leave you with this: “Don’t just ask what Nigeria can do for you—ask what you can do with what Nigeria gave you.”

Let’s build the ME-Economy.

Let’s build the Nigeria we dream of—one committed citizen at a time.