Failure in Nigeria, success in UK: How 'reading more' transformed a young man’s life

Martin Udogie is a core professional who has spent vast number of years in the banking sector. As a consultant and an economic analyst, the First Class product of the University of Benin places value on intellectual development. In his latest book, How To Read More, Udogie reveals that there should be no excuse for staying away from reading, hence he gives practical ideas on techniques for creating reading time amidst challenges of time, work, fatigue, deadlines that ordinarily discourage reading. In this interview with TheCable, he speaks about his upbringing, spectacular experiences that shaped his career, the difference between studying and reading, among others.

Education and career

I graduated from the University of Benin, with a First Class degree in Business Administration and later qualified as an ICAN chartered accountant. My first job was with Citibank in Nigeria. I later worked with other banks, my last being as head of strategic planning for Fidelity Bank. At some point in my career, I spent two years in the strategy unit of Andersen Consulting (now called Accenture). It was the best career decision I ever made. But the best school I ever attended was the Immaculate Conception College in Benin City, a Roman Catholic, boys-only school.

Career trajectory

I started my career in banking and then crossed over to strategy consulting. In both industries, I gained different but complementary skills that have been valuable to me in my current endeavours. Banking is a prestigious and distinguished profession. It is also a highly competitive industry, both in a business sense, for customer patronage; and in a career sense, for position and hierarchy. These attributes make banking very attractive to talented people. And as you know, banking interfaces with virtually all relevant players in all sectors of the economy. Therefore, working in this environment enabled me to forge quality relationships and build a network of contacts.

But my career switch to management consulting was probably the icing on the cake. It exposed me to the power of knowledge and continuous self-development. I found myself in what is regarded as an up-or-out environment that placed significant premium on the depth of your knowledge and your sheer brainpower. Although with a first class, I suddenly realised how shallow I was when it came to cutting-edge knowledge. I had to sit up. So, whereas banking made me to know people, consulting sharpened my intellect. Both were critical to me when I later left to establish my own business.

The role of reading in his career evolution

Not just reading, but reading books. This especially has made a difference to my life. I read, on the average, three books a month. I actually contrasted my earlier career when I wasn’t reading with my later career when I started reading, and I realised a stark difference between these two phases of my professional growth. Prior to my discovery of reading, I was somewhat taciturn, and perhaps also lacking in self-confidence. I hardly spoke at important meetings and functions, and often failed to seize such opportunities to impress my superiors. I eventually paid a price for it, professionally. But with reading came knowledge and confidence to communicate what I know in writing and speaking. I have had extremely hardworking colleagues in banking and in consulting who go the extra mile to deliver on set targets yet still managed to find time to read. These people went on to achieve phenomenal success in their careers, sometimes landing top international jobs. With hindsight, I can see clearly that reading gave them an edge. There are instances of such in my book.

More about this book, How To Read More

How To Read More advocates a culture of reading and its benefit to the individual, his organisation and the nation at large. It is based on my personal, practical experience. Almost 10 years after graduating from the university, I didn’t read a book, from cover to cover, the only exception being when I was writing my professional exams. But the day I resumed at Andersen Consulting, I was given a book to read. That book set me on a journey of learning and self-discovery. I came to know more as I read more. But beyond that, I came to understand why I never read books after I graduated, and how easy it is to read books and enjoy doing so. The techniques for reading in the midst of challenges of time, work, fatigue, deadlines, etc and the associated reward, from my experience and those of others is what I share in this book.

Inspiration to write the book

About 10 years ago, a young man came to work for me. He had a pass in Geology and had missed his NYSC call-up service. So he just needed a place to pass away time. His prognosis didn’t look good. Then I started him as my research assistant, giving him things to read, research and summarise. Gradually, he fell in love with the job. He later went for his MBA in the UK and graduated with distinction. When I asked him how he was able to achieve that, he said he was simply applying the same technique he learnt from our business. He would read something and link it to three or four other similar things about that phenomenon and completely expand that knowledge. His peers were all amazed. Today, Uwa (the young man whose experience was shared earlier) is back and oversees a division for a multinational business across West Africa.

The motivation for writing the book therefore was to highlight the need to change our reading culture, and how this can benefit everybody. When reading ceases to be a priority or loses importance in the scale of preference in the society or nation, you see the ramification in the poor academic result as reflected in the woeful WAEC results; you see the collateral damage in the poor quality of graduates from the universities, and the quality of people joining the workforce. And you also see it in the orgy of cultism, violence, drugs that we read about in our school hostels and campuses. Rather than people reading and indulging in intellectual pursuits, other vices occupy the mind.  And of course, this cascades to even those in positions of leadership, as they lack the knowledge and the intellectual depth to articulate change and move the society forward. A society that doesn’t read breeds mediocrity, period!

Writing the book

It took me three months to write the book. The idea of writing this particular book occurred to me in January this year while I was in Singapore. Then I started sketching the outline in my head and jotting down bits and pieces of information on my phone. When you read the book, you discover a chapter where I made reference to a CNN programme that aired in March.  The book also has references to some incidents that happened within the year, for instance, the Chibok girls and the FIFA World Cup.

So effectively, the tedious writing was from April to June. But then again, I was writing about my reading experience in the better part of two decades, and spiced or validated with the reading habit of other prominent people worldwide. I didn’t have to do any research on my own reading experience. And I had already read so much about the experiences of other people from extensive reading over the years. The challenge, therefore, was having to recall specific facts about these people, identify and cite the specific sources. So my book did not require any extensive new research. That research had already been done from my extensive, ongoing reading. And the writing was not too difficult, as I have also written over the years and now even teach writing skills to staff of corporate organisations in Nigeria. So, it is something that I have grown accustomed to. Hence, the book did not take too much of time to complete.

Challenges

None that I can recall. I had a lot of fun while writing this book. I enjoyed the experience thoroughly. I really didn’t have to forego anything, except that I refrained from watching the World Cup matches, not because of the book but as a personal sacrifice for the Chibok girls.

Believe that foreign authors are better than local

I don’t believe so, although I believe both can learn from each other. Renowned author, Chimamanda Adichie’s books continue to win laurels worldwide. I, however, share the view that we do not have many non-fiction authors in Nigeria, compared to western countries. This is obvious in the number of books that are authored by those who have occupied top positions in business and government, such as ministers, presidents, prime ministers and especially, retired CEOs of top organisations, and even celebrities. We need to encourage Nigerians to write about their experiences, for posterity.

How the book addressed poor reading culture

In the book, I cite examples of the several implications of a poor reading culture, from the negative impact on students and schools and even to parents and professionals. The book discusses a number of instances of how people at various income cadre have lifted themselves from poverty to positions of fame and fortune. One such person for example is Vernon Jordan, who grew up as a poor black boy in the then racially segregated Georgia. He worked as a chauffeur for a wealthy white Atlanta banker but would often sneak into the man’s library to read. He himself became a lawyer and is today a mover and shaker in Washington DC, and friends to US presidents. Then there is the story of renowned surgeon Ben Carson. But then, the book presents simple techniques of how people can read and enjoy reading and the associated rewards. You read about people like Lee Kuan Yew and the role reading played in helping him transform Singapore.

Financial constraints and reading

This is a very good question and it is something that I addressed in the book. As I state in the book, Nigeria is the third-largest market for champagne in the world. There is more champagne sold in the seven Shoprite stores in Nigeria than the entire Shoprite shops in the whole of South Africa. So, you could argue that the excuse is not economic. And it is also not likely to be time. Nigeria’s Nollywood is the second biggest in the world, also a fact in the book. The poor reading culture is what’s called a wicked problem, also explained in the book.

How much daily time is appropriate to devote to reading.

This is probably the most profound discovery in the book. And I encourage everyone to get a copy and read about what I say on the topic of how much time and when to read everyday to get maximum benefit and look forward to more reading. This is probably where most people get it wrong. They mistake study, which we all did in school, with reading, which we are supposed to engage in out of school.

Purchase

How To Read More is available at Laterna Bookstore, 13 Oko Awo Street, Opposite Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos (08033014462, [email protected], [email protected], www.laternabooks.com) and other local bookstores. It is also on sale on major online bookstores, such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.