By MUSA JIBRIL
It took just nine years for IPI Solutions––a tech start-up set up from scratch by a 26-year-old––to become a world-class corporation that bestrides the IT world in Nigeria, with its tentacles spread into at least 16 African countries including Ethiopia, Senegal and Rwanda. Within a decade, it evolved to become a trusted IT platform solution provider and the marketplace to buy Microsoft products.
IPI Solutions was listed by CIO Reviews as one of “100 Most Promising Microsoft Solution Providers 2016.” It also made the list of 2017 “10 Fastest Growing Microsoft Solution Providers” by Silicon Review. Adamu Garba, the 35-year-old CEO of IPI, explained to Inspire the difficult journey he undertook to arrive with a world-class IT company.
Briefly describe IPI Solutions
IPI Solutions Nigeria Limited is a trusted IT cloud platform solution provider, source to buy Microsoft products and system integrator in Nigeria and Africa. We are Microsoft 1-Tier CSP Partner and a Gold Partner with strategic competencies and specialization in delivering unique IT solutions across industry verticals. We provide expertise to bridge the gap from a technical platform to business process along with on-site support, remote monitoring and an always-available help desk.
You studied electrical engineering. How did you end up an IT expert?
As a student, I was worried that most of the things we were being taught had no practical applications outside the school. I realised that when I asked questions related to the field, the answers I got from practitioners were usually different from what we learnt in school, and even the lecturers seemed not to have a practical experience of what they were teaching. I opted for engineering because I needed something more hands-on, yet I ended up with a lot of calculations with no real-life application. So, I felt I was wasting my time. The period I was rusticated in school offered me an opportunity to redirect my step. I joined NIIT Kano in 2005 to study Microsoft Systems and Technology under its MSCE programme. Before then, I had never touched or used a computer. Considering its real life applications, I fell in love with computers and became more inquisitive until I developed a career in it, the result of which is what I am today.
What were the challenges you encountered while setting up your business?
As it is usually said that nothing good comes easy, it wasn’t all that smooth at the beginning. Basically, my venture into business at an early age put my ability and experience to question, as I had to compete with senior and older colleagues. Most of my clients considered it a high risk allowing a young man of 26 years old to handle their critical IT infrastructure worth millions of naira. A lot of checks and tests were done. Some would delay my payment until the job was satisfactorily delivered. It was so difficult at times I had to trek to work. For lack of transport fare, I would trek from Surulere to Samuel Manuwa Street, around 1004 Estate in Victoria Island. Then, I’d trek back home. Though, those challenges strengthened my resolve to build my business.
How did you begin life?
I was born to an Islamic scholar father. My mum also was an Islamic scholar and a petty trader. At the time in 1982, there was this strong trend about children having to go to almajiri (Arabic) school. Like most Islamic scholars of those days did, my father, a respected cleric, wanted all his male children to attend only Arabic schools back then, whereas my mother wanted me to go to a conventional school. They had a clash, after which they reached an agreement that “he will go to Almajiri School; when he is eight years old, and after his circumcision, he will begin conventional school.” I was in Almajiri School from the age of four to eight years. So I experienced everything almajiris experience. We would go into the bush, pick rafters, aluminium and other oddities, which we sold for money. We’d go into the market to hawk and do other things. Then, a public primary school was opened in my community. One morning, my mother took me there insisting, “You must go to school.” We didn’t have classes. Classes were held under the trees. We were nonetheless happy to be given the opportunity to attend conventional school. After initially resisting my mother’s move again, my father agreed that I combined both schools. That was the turning point for me. But for that opportunity to go to school, I would have remained an almajiri back home.
How easy was learning considering that you started formal education at the age of eight?
I did my primary school in two different primary schools. While I was in Primary Three, I had to move to another primary school when we relocated. From there I went for my secondary education. I later proceeded to Kano University of Technology through a pre-degree programme where I studied electrical engineering. There, I was encouraged to contest for the position of Students’ Union President as a result of my leadership skill and interest in the people. While I was away to attend a laboratory practice at Bayero University, Kano, a riot broke out. Though I wasn’t involved, the school got me rusticated. The management maintained its decision to rusticate me on the premise that most of the members that took part in the riot were my supporters.
When and how did you shunt your path into IT?
Back at home, I decided to go to NIIT to study computer. I went for a nine-month course. At 24, I travelled to Lagos, having convinced my father I would finish my university education at UNILAG. In Lagos, I got a job in Apapa where I earned a salary of N10, 000 a month. There, I began to practice what I learnt and it really was working out and I was enjoying what I was doing. I got another job. Then another job in an oil company and I had to move to Warri. But after nine months, I resigned and returned to Lagos to continue with my previous work, because I love Microsoft so much, I loved the technology. What I was doing in the oil company was not Microsoft, but an all-encompassing IT, which I felt, was distracting me from what I know so much about. Back in Lagos, I joined another company that was doing Microsoft. In six months, I resigned. By then, I was 26 and a Microsoft certified solution expert. I decided to set up my own business. Today, I have an organization that provides ICT solutions to scores of international organizations within and outside Africa.
How easy was setting up your company?
I had always had it at the back of my mind that I would only work for two years, and thereafter, resign and set up my own company. Nonetheless, it was difficult when I resigned because I had only N52, 000 in my account. At some point, I was trekking from Surulere to 1004 Estate to do my work. In the evening, I’d trek back home. I had to break my SIM card so I could not be reached for nine months. And for that period of time, none of my family members knew what I was doing in Lagos. I had a firm belief that if I pushed harder, things would work out. So, I needed to shut my ear to every noise. Today, it is a reality. IPI has 48 employees, all of us young people––I am the oldest employee of the company. I teach them everything they need to know hands-on.
Have you ever considered taking your business out of Nigeria to a country with better business-friendly climate?
I don’t want to have any other country other than Nigeria. Some of my key friends left this country long ago, and since I started my business, I vowed that I would never go to any other country in the world and that right here in Nigeria, I would get global recognition for my business. As we speak, I have never travelled to Cotonou, the closest foreign city to Nigeria. When we are given awards, I send someone from the company to go get it. Right here where we are in Lagos, by our work, we got 13 international recognition.