Key players in Nigeria's industrial sector have issued a strong call for the expansion and professionalization of the consulting industry to stimulate economic growth in the South-South geopolitical zone. They expressed concern over a significant shortage of qualified consultants in the region, which they say is hindering business development and problem-solving.
Addressing a Critical Shortage at Benin Convention
This urgent appeal was made during the second edition of the Benin Consultants Convention (BCC), held in Benin City, Edo State, on 4 December 2025. The event, themed ‘Adapt and Advance,’ brought together experts to chart a path forward for the sector.
Mr. Ogaga Omo-Ovie, the Chief Learning Officer and Executive Consultant at Process and Paradigms Consulting, highlighted the pressing need. He stated that numerous organizations across the region are grappling with specialized issues that demand the expertise of trained professionals. Omo-Ovie positioned consultants as essential problem diagnosticians and solution providers, urging businesses to leverage their services to enhance productivity and ensure sustainable expansion.
He emphasized that solving organizational problems directly creates economic value. States within the South-South, like Edo, are full of challenges that could be efficiently resolved with professional consulting input, thereby boosting the local economy.
Defining the Role and Strategy of Consultants
Omo-Ovie clarified the distinction between consulting and mere training. He described consulting as an umbrella discipline that encompasses training. "Consulting involves diagnosing a problem and, at the same time, offering solutions," he explained. Training, he noted, is an intervention meant to solve a problem, but it often fails when implemented without a proper diagnosis. A consultant's core role is to identify the root cause and then design a targeted training plan to address it.
He pointed to a wide range of establishments in Benin City—including schools, hotels, mega malls, and shops—that face staffing, revenue, and operational hurdles. "It takes consultants to solve these problems," he asserted. The convention's primary goal, he said, is to open up Edo State and the wider South-South to the consulting business, raise awareness, and ignite passion for the industry to counter the current short supply.
Practical Advice for Businesses and Aspiring Consultants
In her presentation, Susan Charles, the Chief Executive Officer of Birch Hill Consulting, delved into practical strategies for overcoming organizational challenges. She stressed the critical importance of root cause analysis, noting that many business owners mistakenly address symptoms rather than the underlying issue. Charles advised owners to meticulously trace experienced symptoms back to their source to implement effective, step-by-step solutions.
During a hands-on session, Gbenga Totoyi, a Partner at Alan & Grant Company Limited, offered guidance for those entering the consulting field. He urged participants to have absolute clarity about their goals. Totoyi championed the cultivation of a strong reading habit, stating that books are a gateway to new ideas and shape one's thinking. He also recommended studying competitors to maintain focus and embracing travel as a valuable tool for learning and innovation.
The consensus from the convention is clear: for the South-South economy to reach its full potential, a robust, professional consulting industry is not just an option but a necessity. The stakeholders' mission is now to turn this awareness into tangible growth and development across the region.
