Obinna Nwodo speaks on purpose, driving force for YSCP community

Obinna Nwodo is a leading Procurement & Supply Chain Professional and the Co-Founder of the Young Supply Chain Professionals (YSCP) community. As the driving force behind YSCP, he’s building the next generation of industry leaders while maintaining a global perspective on industry best practices. Nwodo is a highly recognized voice on strategic procurement and inventory optimization in Nigeria. In an interview with Adedara Omidina, he discusses the value, purpose and achievements of the influential community.

Tell us about yourself. Who is Obinna Nwodo?

My name is Obinna Nwodo. I am a Supply Chain Professional, Author, Consultant, Strategist, Husband and so on. I do a lot of things that typically add value to humanity in general. However, most of my work is around enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency through procurement and inventory optimisation. That’s where I plug in Risk Management. I have also done that for over a decade.

So who exactly are the young supply chain professionals?

The Young Supply Chain Professionals is a community that I found in 2020 with my mate Pelumi. It was founded in April 2020. I realized that a lot of Young professionals in Supply Chain had what I would call an identity crisis. So I decided to start something to make them feel worthy. So we set out to build the cynosure for supply chain excellence in Nigeria and also spread our tentacles to Africa. And we understand that technology and data analytics was going to be key. So the framework was to stay techie and data driven with Accountability, Innovation, Team spirit, Collaborativeness and Empathy.

Awesome stuff. The community has more than 1000 members across Africa. Can you highlight the major factors that have led to this achievement and growth?

Firstly, YSCP effectively addresses a significant knowledge and skills gap prevalent among young professionals entering the strategic supply chain and procurement sector. By providing targeted mentorship, training, and access to industry best practices, the community offers tangible value for career advancement. Also, the strong sense of community and networking that we encourage is a major draw. In Africa, the platform facilitates connections, knowledge exchange, and peer support, creating a vital ecosystem for young professionals to learn from each other and build their professional networks. The proactive engagement with industry leaders and organizations in both private and public sectors also provides members with invaluable exposure to real-world challenges and opportunities. This bridge between academia, early career professionals, and established industry players enhances the community’s relevance and attractiveness. So people on the outside see these things and they join the community. It’s free to join so why not.

Upskilling and talent development are byproducts of consistent Learning & Development strategies. This is something that YSCP has done well and contributed to the upskilling of 700 Supply Chain Officers thus far. Can you give us some insights to this?

Well, YSCP’s success in upskilling 700 Procurement & Supply Chain Officers comes from a strategic commitment to consistent Learning & Development which we also commenced in 2020, recognizing it as integral, and not peripheral. Our approach prioritizes industry-relevant curriculum, meticulously crafted to address the ever changing demands of the global supply chain landscape. We foster a dynamic learning ecosystem through diverse modules and topics, encompassing virtual workshops led by seasoned professionals, fireside chats which I led, interactive masterclasses focusing on practical skill application, and mentorship programs pairing experienced leaders with emerging talent. A strong emphasis on peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing within our active community amplifies the impact of formal training. Lastly, we partner with some organizations and institutions to provide access to cutting-edge resources and training, ensuring our members acquire globally recognized competencies. This holistic and consistently delivered L&D framework directly translates to tangible upskilling outcomes and enhanced professional capabilities within the supply chain workforce which we are gradually seeing now.

Let us shift a little bit to the mentorship programme. Tell us about the challenges, successes and so on.

Luckily, I had only a few challenges. I started it when I was already a popular figure so the people I reached out to for assistance were willing to do it for free even. We commenced the mentorship programme 6 months after we launched. So far, around 450 people have benefitted from it and it gives me great joy. This shows that we are nearing supply chain maturity and we need to keep moving. We are building something iconic. Ofcourse, Nigeria will always bring unique wahala but if we are proactive then we can strategically pull through especially with the type of resource optimization, planning levers that we had to deploy. So focusing on the mentees, we’ve actually observed accelerated career progression, with many securing new jobs and promotions or more specialized roles within a shorter time frame compared to their peers who weren’t in the programme. I think the guidance received has fostered greater clarity in their career goals and enhanced confidence in navigating the complexities of the supply chain industry. Mentees consistently report improved decision-making abilities, enhanced problem-solving skills through exposure to real-world scenarios, and a stronger professional network, providing invaluable support and opportunities. We are truly building the next generation of leaders. I mean, I want this to outlive me and I want to be able to build structure so that I can even be confident that the younger professionals can start to step into leadership roles in the community and beyond.

We have observed YSCP’s drive to support Procurement Officers to consider Cloud based ERP solutions which can achieve a 15% growth rate if successful. I would like to share more insights to this and how this can drive the economy.

We at YSCP are very enthusiastic about the transformative potential of Cloud-based ERP solutions for Procurement Officers and the wider Nigerian economy. We firmly believe that this technological shift can unlock significant efficiencies and drive sustainable growth. This is a cheaper and hassle free option. I have been in a lot of top ERP implementations in Nigeria and England and cost is always a problem. The Second common problem is storage. So we are simply advocating for cheap productivity suites or ERP that will be stored on the cloud. No problems at all. Every business needs to move away from spreadsheets. It is honestly not effective in any way. We cannot be using ancient tactics to solve modern issues. The sensitization is strong and we are seeing good traction so I am glad.

What does the future of Supply Chain hold and what role will YSCP play?

The future of supply chain in Nigeria is set for a dynamic transformation, driven by a growing recognition of its pivotal role in National Economic Development. I anticipate a surge in digitalization, with widespread adoption of e-commerce, mobile technology, and data-driven solutions to enhance efficiency and transparency, particularly for SMEs in our large cities. While significant infrastructural challenges persist, ongoing development and infrastructural projects will gradually alleviate some bottlenecks, improve connectivity, and also reduce logistics costs. A stronger emphasis on local sourcing and production, coupled with a gradual increase in sustainability considerations, will reshape sourcing strategies, I believe. YSCP will remain instrumental in empowering the next generation of industry leaders. We will focus on equipping professionals with the necessary skills in digital technologies, data analytics, and sustainable practices while fostering a culture of professionalism and ethical conduct. We will actively promote the adoption of innovative solutions tailored to the Nigerian context while facilitating collaboration between private and public sectors. This is of course following our influence not only on the younger professionals but also on the more experienced professionals.

Any final words to anyone who wants to become a supply chain expert?

For anyone aspiring to become a supply chain expert, my final words are these: embrace the complexity, cultivate relentless curiosity, and never stop learning. The supply chain is a dynamic and ever-evolving ecosystem, a critical artery of global commerce. Success in this field demands not only a deep understanding of core procurement, inventory, or logistics principles but also a keen adaptability to emerging technologies, geopolitical shifts, and sustainability imperatives. Develop a strategic mindset, learn to see the interconnectedness of all elements in a system, and utilize your analytical skills to transform data into actionable insights. Build strong relationships and champion collaboration, and always strive for ethical and resilient solutions. The future of the supply chain industry is ripe with opportunity for those who are dedicated, knowledgeable, and driven to make a tangible impact on the world. Your expertise will be crucial in navigating challenges and shaping a more efficient and sustainable future for all.

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