…Researched and contributed by Jack Sylva.
In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Works and Housing, spoke about his former boss, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he described as “very nocturnal.”
Fashola had served as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff from 2003-2007 while he was the governor of Lagos State before succeeding him as governor.
Fashola warned those who will work with Tinubu in the presidency to brace themselves, saying that Tinubu micromanages even more than President Muhammadu Buhari.
He explained that during his time as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, controlling Tinubu’s schedule was challenging because he had day and night schedules.
Tinubu is a night owl and prefers to work at night
Fashola explained that Tinubu is very detailed and micromanages his work.
He claimed that Tinubu is even more detailed than President Buhari.
Fashola gave an analogy, stating that if the two were football coaches, President Buhari would prepare his team and then watch them play for 90 minutes, trusting them to do their best.
On the other hand, Tinubu would be the kind of coach who would play the game with his team.
Fashola clarified that this is the primary difference between the two leaders, with one delegating completely while the other delegates and stays with his team.
Commentary:
Babatunde Fashola’s recent interview on Channels Television provides insights into Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s work style.
Fashola’s description of Tinubu as “very nocturnal” and highly detailed suggests that he is a hardworking individual who is dedicated to his work.
However, this work style could be challenging for those who work with him, especially those who are not used to working late at night.
Fashola’s analogy of the two leaders as football coaches provides an excellent way of understanding their leadership styles.
President Buhari delegates his responsibilities completely, trusting his team to do their best. On the other hand, Tinubu micromanages his work and stays with his team throughout the process, ensuring that every detail is taken care of.
While both styles have their advantages and disadvantages, it is essential to understand the leadership style of the person you work with to ensure that you can work effectively with them.