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In a country where corporate offices are synonymous with long commutes, rigid schedules, and a suffocating “Oga at the top” culture, one young tech founder is challenging the rules.
Meet Osungbade Akeem Wizeman, the Gen Z CEO of leading Lagos-based marketing and advertising agency Oxgital, whose now-viral TikTok post is sparking conversations far beyond the walls of his company. His video, in which he outlined the unconventional policies he “allows” as a CEO, has been making waves online and even featured on national outlets like Punch and Legit.ng.
In the clip, Akeem listed what many older CEOs might call “red flags”: a 10 a.m. resumption time, office naps, casual hoodies, short meetings, and the absence of the traditional “sir/ma” hierarchy. But what triggered some critics also resonated with thousands of young Nigerians tired of workplace rigidity.
“It’s not about being lazy,” A commenter insists. “It’s about creating a human culture where creativity thrives. Hustle culture glorifies exhaustion. Human culture values results.”
This philosophy is what Akeem believes drives Oxgital’s success. As a digital agency, Oxgital works with brands across Nigeria and internationally to shape online presence, run marketing and advertising campaigns, and build websites. Akeem argues that the best work comes not from fear, but from trust.
Observers point out that while the West has experimented with nap pods at Google or hybrid schedules at Silicon Valley startups, it is unusual to see such practices openly embraced in Nigeria’s corporate scene. “This isn’t Silicon Valley, this is Lagos,” says one tech analyst, noting how bold it is for a local founder to normalize such policies.
But the reactions have been divided. While Punch highlighted how these “new-age” rules could inspire other startups, comment sections on Nairaland were full of debates on whether Gen Z leaders are “too soft.”
For Akeem, however, the proof is in his company’s performance. “We’re building a business that values both ambition and humanity. If my staff feel respected, they give their best. That’s the culture I want Oxgital to stand for,” he explains.
Whether loved or criticized, one thing is clear: Osungbade Akeem Wizeman has started a conversation that Nigeria’s work culture can no longer ignore.
