By Kenneth Oboh

Project management in Nigeria is evolving, and fast.

But this isn’t just a headline or a trend. It’s a lived reality for professionals like Adekitan Oluwatosin Adetoye, who’s spent years navigating the twists and turns of managing complex projects in challenging environments.

With a solid background in mechanical engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and an MBA from the National Open University of Nigeria, Adekitan has built a career in the FMCG food and beverage industry. 

His latest role as Project Manager at Pladis Global, the name behind McVitie’s, Godiva, and Ülker, gave him front-row access to the changing dynamics of remote project execution in Nigeria.

And if there’s one thing he knows for sure, it’s this: working remotely as a project manager in Nigeria comes with more than just tight deadlines. It’s a balancing act between technology, infrastructure challenges, and building trust in a culture that values face-to-face presence.

Navigating Infrastructure Hurdles

For anyone who’s tried managing a team remotely in Nigeria, the struggles are familiar. Unstable internet. Unpredictable power supply. And a business culture where being seen is synonymous with being trusted.
As Adekitan puts it, “Sometimes, managing remotely feels like steering a ship in rough waters without a compass. You’re constantly battling disruptions and working to reassure stakeholders who’d rather have you in the room.”

While global teams seamlessly collaborate from different time zones, in Nigeria, a dropped connection or sudden blackout can throw entire projects off course. But here’s the catch: this reality hasn’t stopped those determined to push forward.

How Covid 19 Changed The Game

Before 2020, remote project management in Nigeria felt like wishful thinking. Business here runs on relationships. Trust is built over handshakes, physical meetings, and face-to-face conversations.
Then came the pandemic.

Lockdowns and restrictions forced companies to adapt, and fast. What followed wasn’t smooth sailing. Projects hit roadblocks. Communication lines frayed. Leaders hesitated. But soon enough, teams learned to find their rhythm in a digital world.

Platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Asana became lifelines. Virtual check-ins replaced boardroom meetings. And despite early chaos, productivity found its footing. In some cases, teams became even more efficient.

It was proof that remote project management wasn’t only possible, it could thrive.
But trust… that’s a different beast.

Infrastructure issues can be frustrating, but trust, or the lack of it,  is the bigger challenge.
For decades, Nigerian business culture has equated presence with reliability. If you’re not physically in the room, can you really be in control? Many stakeholders aren’t convinced.

So, how do you build trust from behind a screen?

Adekitan believes it starts with communication. Silence breeds doubt. Frequent updates, structured virtual meetings, and clear reporting help stakeholders feel connected and informed. A simple daily check-in, even if brief, can replace weeks of uncertainty.

Transparency is key. Be proactive, not reactive. When problems arise, tackle them head-on. That’s when people stop questioning your absence and start trusting your leadership.

Hybrid models can also bridge the gap. Daily virtual collaboration keeps projects moving fast, while well-timed physical meetings cement trust and relationships. Sometimes, just showing up at the right moment makes all the difference. But beyond the how of working together, there’s an important reminder:

Tech Is a Tool, Not the Answer

From Slack to Trello, technology can make work easier. But without strong leadership, no app or software can compensate. A good project manager knows when to let tech do its job and when to step in with a personal touch. Now…

What’s The Future for Remote Project Management in Nigeria?
The pandemic cracked open the door. Now, it’s up to businesses to walk through.
For remote project management to truly take root, Nigeria needs more than ambition. It needs stronger digital infrastructure. 

Teams need training, not just on tools, but on digital collaboration etiquette. And, perhaps most importantly, there needs to be a cultural shift from measuring leadership by physical presence to measuring it by results.

As Adekitan puts it, “Remote project management isn’t about where you work from; it’s about how you show up, in communication, in consistency, and in leadership.”

Nigeria’s future is digital. The companies willing to adapt, with the right blend of technology, communication, and trust-building, will not just survive this shift. They’ll lead it.
The road is clearing. The engines are running. It’s time to move forward.