KAYODE Moshood Akiolu, businessman, lawyer, is the founding Partner at E&A. But the scion of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, who took a leave of absence to go into politics few years ago, currently serves as a lawmaker representing the Lagos Island Constituency II. KMA as he is fondly called by friends began his career at Kayode Sofola and Associates, where he became the firm’s Head of Public Sector Advisory practice for both the Federal and State government. He also had stints at Latham & Walkers LLP serving as International Legal Adviser as well as JP Morgan as Financial Adviser on the structuring of the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund. In this interview with IBRAHIM APEKHADE YUSUF, the Lagos Prince who trained in some of the best Ivy League schools abroad speaks on his management style and philosophy. Excerpts:
No control of time
Politicians hardly have control over their time to the extent that they have to be on their toes all the time plotting one political strategy or the other. This description easily fits Kayode Moshood Akiolu, who is a lawmaker, politician, lawyer, and businessman all roll into one.
“It’s very tough for me to tell how my day begins. I wake up as early as 5’oclock in the morning to observe my prayers as a Muslim and I believe that’s how my day begins. And when my day would end, honestly, I don’t know. This is because there are various activities one contends with on a regular basis with no specific timelines for them. I just ensure that when my day starts in the middle of it, I find time to have like two to three hours nap. I do that regularly if not I would breakdown.”
Certainly, he is that CEO who finds time to unwind regardless of the busy schedules. “Trust me my brother it’s necessary to do so if not you’ll get burnout easily.”
Management style
Looking at his career trajectory from working at Kayode Sofola and Associates, where he rose to the rank of Senior Associate and the firm’s Head of Public Sector Advisory practice for both the Federal and State government, as well as stints at Latham & Walkers LLP (International Legal Adviser) and JP Morgan (Financial Adviser) on the structuring of the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund, before setting up shop as a private practice, the younger Akiolu said he learnt a lot in terms of management of men and resources.
As someone who has a private sector background, he favours a model where everything is structured and organised but with politics he has had to allow for more flexibility in the way he relates with people. Interestingly, he has brought all that to bear in his present calling in the public service.
“When I was fully in private practice I had everything structured for me like my time, schedules and how I relate with people and all. But you see, in politics, unlike in private practice, you can choose who you can relate with like a certain clientele and all. But in politics, you relate with anyone that comes your way. Both the high and mighty, people of various attitudes and you learn to be patient. Politics has taught me to be patient, to learn to manage and accommodate people no matter their shortcomings or faults. This I think I have learnt in politics. Because I used to be very angry with my leader, Honourable Kamal Bashua that why are you taking rubbish from these people and all that. And also just like our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who receives different insults being hauled at him for what he practically knows nothing about and I would just be wondering to myself that what sort of humiliation is this? Because you know it’s painful when somebody accuses you of what you know nothing about. I have seen that with several senior leaders. But when I stepped into politics, then I tried to understand where they’re coming from. Not just understand but it is not an easy task because you’re in a field where a lot of people don’t appreciate what you’re doing but then you got to keep on doing what you’re doing. You just learn to manage because you’re for everybody. I’m still learning to take everything on my strides.”
Staff motivation
As a lawmaker he says he sees his staff as partners. “One way I motivate my staff is that I take in their ideas. I make them know that, look guys, I’m not your boss, and we’re in partnership together. My cleaner, driver, and other staff, politics has made me to learn from them and they learn from me as well. So I think that keeps them going because they feel they’re a stakeholder with me despite being a lawmaker they know they can also have their way with me. This is because before I take any action, I seek their opinion first and they also seek mine too. So, it’s a round work. I operate a joint approach to working with my staff.”
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On how he reprimands his staff and whether or not he has had to fire anyone of them, he said politics has made him large-hearted of sort. “I only express my displeasure towards them. There is this saying in Yoruba that in politics you don’t say, Gbara e kuro, mabo nibi bayi ni.”
You don’t chase people. No. But I do reprimand them. Or I would rather reduce the responsibility being given to you and any responsible person once they reduce your responsibility; it means you’re not performing up to the task.”
Of course, he likes the idea of delegating responsibility, because he feels very strongly that everyone has something to bring to the table.
“Yes, of course, I can’t do everything myself. I’m coming from a private sector background where you meet your targets. That’s what I have introduced into my work schedule too as a lawmaker. And so far, so good it’s working for me. I’m a team player too.”
Other passions
Call him a bookworm you won’t be wrong and he says rather excitedly that years of legal practice is responsible for that.
“I do read a lot and that I can say I imbibed that from my legal background. Another of my hobby is playing football. But since I joined politics, I have never had time for that again. And I used to be an Arsenal supporter but of recent I won’t say I lost trust in them but I have been laidback.”
While pressing him on the book he has read lately, he gladly says one book he is reading now has been a good read. “Presently, I’m reading the book ‘Power Politics And Death’ written by Olusegun Adeniyi. It’s a very interesting book indeed. I’m still reading it. I read a lot of political and historical books because when you dig into history you find out that there are several mistakes made by past leaders and you don’t want to fall into that trap.”
Greatest influence
Naturally, he says his greatest influence has been his dad. “Well, first of all, I’ll always give my love to my father. I grew up in a disciplined environment. My father was a man that ensured that you must dot your ‘i’s’ and cross your t’s, show courtesy, respect and be upright in whatever you do and you must be able to defend any action you want to take if not don’t go into it.”
That disciplinarian side is fully ingrained in him now and thankfully, he says has since passed it down to his own immediate family.
Life lessons
Politics has taught him some home truths. “So far so good, from my little experience as a young man of 40 years, life has taught me that in politics, don’t expect somebody that you have done all the best for to pay you back in a positive way because he might decide to pay you in a negative way. Just take it like that. It’s a painful experience but it’s one truth of life in politics so far. That is one thing I have learnt. Getting into politics made me accept that sad reality.”
He also adds for effects that as a politician, his mantra remains service delivery for the greater good of the people. Little wonder he has left no stone unturned in his quest to fulfill his mandate and provide succor for his constituents.
In just about three years, he has been able to achieve some modest success but he considers many of his exploits as mere tokenism.
His imprimatur of support is visible in most areas including in the area of infrastructure boost, wealth creation, women and youths empowerment to mention just a few.
Plug for relaxation mood
He gets into the relaxation mood when he sits with his pals. “What makes me happy if I want to unwind is been around people that genuinely love me and we sit together and tell each other the truth over a bottle of drink and all.”
Choice holiday destination
He says matter-of-factly that his choice holiday destination within the country is the northern part. “I’ll prefer to go to the north because my father spent a major part of his police career in the north. The whole of the north used to be an extremely peaceful place and which is why my prayer is for peace to return to the entire nation. Then, you learn to enjoy the other parts of Nigeria than where you’re from. But if I was to go abroad I will prefer somewhere in the Caribbean like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and all. I haven’t been in any of these places before but I have been to Morocco, which looks similar to the sunny environment you have in the Caribbean.”
Sense of style
For him, simplicity does it and he is shorn of any form of vanity. “Anything that looks good on me is what I wear. My style is simplicity. I’m a man of very simple taste. I don’t do designers stuff just the simple things that looks good on me.”
Best meal
As a boy weaned on sea foods, he is proud of his heritage. “I’m from the coastal; region, so sea food is my number favourite anytime, any day! I just love sea food because I believe that’s what God gave me first by putting me down in a coastal area. Also, I love eating Thai food; it’s very nice like a Succhi, and the rest of it. That’s for foreign but as for local, give me anything, I’m okay with it.”
Exercise regime
Knowing that his political calling takes quite a chunk of his time more than anything else, the Lagos Prince has learnt not to be cut off guard, as such he has the presence of mind to make his health and wellbeing a top priority.
“When I wake up in the morning after my prayers, I do jug for at least 20 minutes. Before I joined active politics, I was a gym freak. I was always in the gym but now politics has reduced my gym time. So all I do is that I make sure I jog every other day and it has been working well for me,” he said with some gusto.
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