Femi Okenla, the owner of Ibis Ikeja Hotel in Lagos, has ignited a fresh debate about Nigeria's workforce after revealing that he deliberately hires expatriates rather than Nigerians for senior management positions. Okenla made the remarks on The Builders podcast, where he also detailed how a $2 million forex loss and bank delays nearly collapsed his business.
Okenla's Preference for Expatriates
“I tend to employ expatriates to head our operations, especially critical operations,” Okenla said. “For me, the working ethos of expatriates is much better. Whether Egyptian, any other country but Nigeria.” When the interviewer pointed out that Nigerians abroad are often regarded as hardworking, Okenla admitted he did not understand the contrast but explained his reluctance with a specific example: “If you employ a Nigerian general manager, don't be surprised they'll create a cartel.”
Alleged Kickback Scheme
Okenla recounted an incident where he sat on an interview panel for a financial controller position. The candidate, who had worked at a major Lagos hotel under a Nigerian general manager, revealed that the manager had been paying him between two and three million naira monthly in unexplained cash, which the candidate suspected was a kickback. “For that kind of money to go out without anyone noticing, there must have been some type of collusion,” Okenla said, adding that the story reinforced his preference for expatriate leadership.
Shift in Hiring Practice
Okenla noted that just four months ago, he hired a Nigerian general manager for the first time, marking a departure from his usual practice. His comments add to a growing national debate about Nigeria's workforce, though his angle centres on trust rather than skill. Earlier in 2026, Moniepoint CEO Tosin Eniolorunda raised concerns about a widening talent gap, revealing that the company was struggling to fill approximately 500 vacancies due to a shortage of candidates meeting global standards. That statement drew significant backlash and a response from Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Broader Implications
Okenla's position takes the conversation in a different direction, suggesting that for some employers, the issue is not what Nigerians can do, but whether they can be trusted to do it without compromising the business. The debate continues to highlight challenges in Nigeria's labour market, including perceptions of work ethic and integrity among local hires.
