THE CHALLENGE OF SUCCESSION PLANNING IN NIGERIA

One of the practices that few companies in Nigeria (other than large corporates) think about is succession planning. Succession planning is the management of your future talent in your company, grooming individuals to take on bigger, more important roles and thinking about the continuity of the company. There is little evidence to show that even leading Nigerian indigenous organizations undertake succession planning. It is even worse with family businesses or sole proprietors.
 Research has shown that many of the world renowned businesses and corporations with the most longevity have their successes rooted in effective succession planning. More often than not, most of the founders and CEOs of these great companies begin planning their exit strategies right at the start of their appointment. Unfortunately, in the case of Nigerian owned companies, many of the founders have difficult time planning their exit or succession. Why? They do not want to give up power to another person or they fear that nobody will do well, not to talk of doing better . As a result, we discover that transitions are marred with bottlenecks, never smooth. In deed many well known Nigerian companies have died because of poor succession.
 The succession problems we have in Nigeria are similar with those in other African Countries. Nigeria is an emerging economy  with a very complex business environment. In my view the following are some of the succession challenges typical in the Nigerian Business  environment 
 . Lack of Succession Planning
 As a matter of fact, lack of effective succession planning has been a world wide challenge. More than half of the companies operating today can not name a successor to the CEO should the need suddenly arise. This lack of planning  could be very problematic for the person leaving as well as the person expected to take over. But in Nigeria, the situation is worse as many of the organizations lack the skills to effect a smooth transition of leadership. If the truth must be told many of the organizations in Nigeria do not have any succession document in place. It is hardly contemplated and only becomes an issue when the current occupant retires, is forced out or suddenly dies.
  . Succession Crisis
 Research has established the fact that the major difference between organizations that manage success  well and those that don't is the understanding that succession is a process, not an event. Transition in leadership is crisis laden in Nigeria mostly because of this. There is no process. Mostly succession is treated adhoc and that partly explains  why many indigenous companies seldom survive two pgenerations as we wait till the forced or sudden exit of the founder before a new one is appointed and often without measurable criteria. Frequently this ends in prolonged crisis that could undermine the survival of the business. The process of succession at all levels of the organizations, but more so at the CEO level must start several years before the founder or current CEO is due to retire. The identified candidates must be systematically chosen and groomed.
  . Polygamous Family
 In the recent past, a typical successful African Entrepreneur will often acquire more wives. Unfortunately, this often creates huge succession problems, especially when he dies. The rivalry between the siblings  and spouses that follows the demise of polygamous entrepreneurs coupled with a variety of cultural laws guiding inheritance in Nigeria, often does not make room for the objective selection of the best material as successor. This creates succession crisis accentuated by the different wives who want their own children to take up the reigns of leadership, without any objective consideration of suitability.
  . Intestate Succession
 The law of nature dictates that everyone must of necessity die some day. But it has been shown that many Nigerian business men are reluctant to make a will. Some think that making a will at mid age is like inviting death. Many therefore postpone taking action until it gets late. Then a succession tussle begins which can last for many years. In the interim, the business suffers and could fail. Examples abound in our country both in manufacturing, service and professional practices. Another variant that has been common in our jurisdiction is the contention of the validity of written wills. We have seen where contending parties go to court to contest what was otherwise a properly written will. This leads to a delay in the execution of the will while the legal dispute persists, often with disastrous consequences to the continuity of such businesses. Therefore, it becomes mandatory that Founders and Business owners should write their wills at the earliest opportunity and ensure that such wills are properly filled to minimize legal disputations at execution.
  .Misfit in choosing successor
 Making the choice of a successor is not generally easy. Often founders or departing CEOs will like to appoint successors who are like them or who would remain loyal. In many instances that leads to wrong choices and the future of the company is compromised. Choice of successors should be based on the future direction of the company or anticipated needs of the company. When the company is innovating, a creative or research inclined successor is appropriate, when the company plans to expand, then a man with marketing skills may be best whereas when the company is consolidating, a successor candidate with finance skills may be considered. It is fully recommended that mundane considerations should never play any role in choosing successors. What must be uppermost in the mind of the company is the survival and  future growth of the organization. But the minimum consideration is that every company must choose a man or woman of integrity. In my opinion, nothing else is more important. 
   Other challenges often encountered in succession planning in Nigeria include the influence of the extended family system where unnecessary interventions of relations in the choice of a successor can precipitate crisis,  founder's children or recommended successor not having adequate interest or passion for the business and the impact of Government policies. It has been shown that Government policies can affect succession and create challenges. The recent bank consolidation for example disrupted succession plans in  the legacy companies. Another critical challenge arises from the corporate governance structure and practice of the organization. Companies that have functioning boards where corporate governance and strategic planning are taken seriously, the issue of succession planning is better handled, as against companies with poor or non existent good corporate governance practices where the choice of successor is made at the whims and caprices of one man.
  In conclusion, it is recommended that Nigerian companies must ensure they introduce succession planning as a matter of deliberate policy and build it into their strategic plan, which must be reviewed regularly.There should be no procrastination, so that the longevity and sustainability of the businesses can be better assured in line with global best practices. To me, no company is too small or too young to plan succession. Of equal importance is that such plans must be implemented in a deliberate and disciplined manner as making plans without implementing them is a waste of time.
   Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa. OFR 

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