By Dada Ahmed.
(C) Google.
In Nigeria’s fast-evolving social and economic landscape, time has become one of the most undervalued yet powerful determinants of progress. How a society manages its time reflects its discipline, organization, and readiness for development. Unfortunately, many Nigerians still cling to the notion of “African Time”,an euphemism for habitual lateness and disregard for schedules. This cultural flaw, though often excused as harmless, continues to undermine national growth and efficiency.
The concept of “African Time” has become a social handicap, normalizing delays at public functions, business meetings, and even governance. It breeds inefficiency and sends a signal that time, a finite and irreplaceable resource, is negotiable. For a country seeking to attract investment, foster innovation, and compete globally, this attitude is both costly and counterproductive.
Discarding “African Time” is not just a matter of etiquette,it is a development imperative. Punctuality represents a mindset of responsibility and respect, values that anchor strong economies and effective institutions. It is also a visible indicator of how seriously a nation takes itself and its aspirations. When time is respected, trust deepens, productivity rises, and the rhythm of national life becomes more predictable and efficient.
This principle was powerfully illustrated at the last 5th Matriculation Ceremony of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, held on February 19, 2025. In a bold departure from the norm, the university defied the culture of lateness that often plagues Nigerian events. Under the leadership of its Vice Chancellor, Prof.Engr. Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu, the event started,and ended,exactly as scheduled, making a strong statement that CUSTECH is not just a citadel of learning but also a model of institutional discipline.
The ceremony, which formally welcomed 1,867 new students, began precisely at 8:50 a.m. with the arrival of the Vice Chancellor and his team, in line with the published programme. Despite the late arrival of some guests, the event proceeded smoothly, maintaining its strict timeline from the national anthem to the closing pledge at 10:10 a.m. For many observers, it was a breath of fresh air,a demonstration that efficiency and punctuality can thrive even within Nigeria’s public institutions.
What made the CUSTECH experience remarkable was not just its adherence to time but the deliberate message it sent. Prof. Salawu’s insistence on punctuality was a quiet but firm rejection of “African Time.” It reflects his commitment to nurturing a generation of students who would value time as a critical resource for success. This is how transformative leadership reshapes culture,by turning principles into practice.
While some parents who arrived late were surprised to find the event already in progress, many others applauded the university’s decision. They saw in it a symbolic awakening,an institutional effort to reset societal attitudes toward time. Their commendations underscored the fact that Nigerians are ready for change; what has been lacking is consistent leadership and the political will to model better standards.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University,Prof.Abdulrahmsn Aspita Salawu reminded the matriculants that success in academics and life depends on discipline, responsibility, and punctuality. He urged them to see time as a resource that, once lost, can never be regained. This message resonated deeply, especially with students entering a world increasingly driven by speed, innovation, and deadlines.
Beyond the ceremony, CUSTECH’s commitment to timeliness mirrors a larger vision,to build a university culture grounded in order, accountability, and efficiency. By aligning its operations with global best practices, CUSTECH positions itself not just as a regional institution but as a national model for how time management can drive institutional excellence.
The economic implications of such discipline are enormous. This is because experience has shown, globally,that a time-conscious society saves costs, attracts investment, and inspires confidence in governance. Conversely, the habitual lateness that defines many public and private activities in Nigeria drains productivity and discourages both local and foreign investors. Every wasted hour translates into lost opportunities.
Education remains the most effective platform for cultural reorientation. When universities like CUSTECH model punctuality, they are not only managing events,they are shaping mindsets. Each student trained to respect time becomes a potential agent of transformation in the broader society. This is how cultures evolve: through consistent practice, institutional leadership, and social reinforcement.
It must be stressed that of course, changing the “African Time” mentality will not happen overnight. It demands a nationwide re-education of attitudes and a collective understanding that timekeeping is not a Western import but a universal value of progress. Leaders at all levels,political, corporate, and academic,must walk the talk by treating time as a shared social contract as exemplified by CUSTECH,Osara.
CUSTECH’s example is, therefore, more than symbolic as it is instructive. It demonstrates that with the right leadership, even long-standing cultural habits can be challenged. The university’s approach reinforces the belief that Nigeria’s transformation begins not just with policies but with the discipline to implement them,on time.
Ultimately, the rejection of “African Time” must become a national movement. If every institution, from schools to government offices, embraced punctuality the way CUSTECH has, Nigeria would witness a cultural revolution that fuels economic efficiency, public trust, and global competitiveness. Time, as the saying goes, waits for no one,and neither should Nigeria.
No doubt,CUSTECH Osara has proven that respect for time is respect for progress. By making punctuality a culture rather than an exception, the university has offered the nation a vital lesson: that development begins when a people learn to start and finish on time.
Here’s a polished and grammatically refined version of your sentence:
As the university prepares to hold its maiden convocation ceremony for the 1st and 2nd sets of graduates, alongside the investiture of its Chancellor, conferment of first degrees, and presentation of prizes, on Saturday, November 29, 2025, it is hoped that this positive development will, again,take centre stage at the historic occasion.
Ahmed is the publisher of The Reporters.
