Not Everyone Stays for the Full Scene

Oluseyi Ekanem
1 day ago
2 min read

In the creative tech space — especially here in Nigeria — dreams often begin in solitude: on sleepless nights with a laptop, a sketchpad, or a script. But they are never truly brought to life alone.

As the African proverb says: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

At PAITAN, our goal is to go far. That means finding the right people, building trust, and growing together as a team.

Over the past few years, I’ve been navigating the exhilarating — and at times overwhelming — terrain of Nigeria’s creative tech industry. From building virtual worlds to developing original content with global ambition, I’ve learned that collaboration is not just helpful; it is essential. But the journey to building a solid creative team is rarely straightforward. It comes with its fair share of detours, disappointments, and hard lessons.

I’ve met people who seemed like the perfect fit — aligned in energy, vision, and ambition. We talked about big ideas, bold collaborations, and reshaping the future.

But somewhere along the way, things shifted. The excitement faded. Calls stopped. Momentum disappeared.

It hurt. I questioned everything: Was it me? Was it the timing?

Eventually, I realized the truth: not everyone is meant to walk the entire road with you. Some people come into your journey to spark a new idea or teach a lesson. And that’s okay. The mistake is trying to hold onto those who were only meant to pass through.

I’ve also been fortunate to meet those who stayed — even when recognition was low and resources were limited. They’ve shown up, again and again. They’ve brainstormed with me at midnight. Shared their networks. Offered honest feedback. Encouraged me when things were uncertain.

They are not just collaborators. They are co-builders.. These people may not always have the most impressive resumes. But they bring what matters most: Commitment. Integrity. The courage to grow together — even without guarantees.

As Steve Jobs once said:“ Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.”

In a country as dynamic and creatively rich as Nigeria — where tech and art constantly intersect — collaboration is more than smart. It’s necessary. We can’t afford siloed genius. We need bridges — between filmmakers and coders, animators and historians, VFX artists and screenwriters.

We need to celebrate the people who show up and stay, not dwell on those who leave. Because ultimately, this journey isn’t just about success. .It’s about who you become, and who becomes part of the journey with you.

Final Thoughts

If you’re out here trying to build something new, disruptive, and beautiful — don’t let the pain of disappointment isolate you. Keep showing up. Keep reaching out. Keep collaborating.

Because greatness has never been a solo act.