BOOK REVIEW: All Hands on Deck

AUTHOR: Arunma Oteh

REVIEWER: Chioma N. Momah

Some books are more than just narratives, they are lessons, reflections, and calls to action. ‘All Hands on Deck’ by Arunma Oteh is all these and more. When I learnt about her book, I knew it was literature that would be well worth reading. While I expected it to include an account of her tenure as the head of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), I was not quite sure what else I would find. Once I started reading, I encountered a comprehensive exploration of leadership, a deep dive into the financial sector—especially the capital market—and a glimpse into the personal experiences that shaped her journey.

Early in the book, she highlights the importance of leveraging one’s network for career growth. After gaining a wealth of experience in organisations like AfDB, it was through this well-nurtured network that she was able to position herself for an opportunity to serve her homeland as the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Despite inheriting a dismal state of affairs when she assumed the role, Oteh acknowledges that the regulatory framework was sound.

This underscores the importance of proper policies and a robust regulatory foundation in every institution. Her tenure, however, went beyond maintaining the status quo. She embarked on reforms that significantly strengthened SEC’s operations and introduced innovations that continue to impact the organisation today.

One of the book’s standout moments for me is how she simplifies critical economic and financial concepts, making them accessible to both professionals and laypersons alike. Oteh takes the time to explain terms such as the time value of money, compounding, sukuk, securitisation, and various other financial instruments that are vital for understanding the capital market. This aspect of the book felt like a mini-MBA, equipping readers with the knowledge they need to navigate the financial sector.

What makes this book a must-read is its practical relevance to anyone interested in finance, leadership, or national progress. Oteh’s conviction that developing local capital markets across Africa is key to solving economic challenges without incurring crippling foreign debt is particularly compelling. She emphasises the importance of strategic partnerships, such as the one she spearheaded with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which involved training programmes to build capacity in the sector.

One of my favourite chapters explores her leadership philosophy. Here, Oteh reflects on how her upbringing—as a child raised in a disciplined household where she fell in love with finance—her formative years in Kano attending St. Louis Secondary School, a highly multicultural environment, and later her years at the prestigious Federal Government College, Owerri, served as the foundation of her value system. These experiences shaped her into the resilient, dogged, diligent, and empathetic leader she is today—a leader who could withstand a series of tough encounters in public service, which she narrates in this book.

Her emphasis on forgiveness as a cornerstone of effective leadership stood out, reminding readers of the importance of empathy and humanity, even in high-pressure roles.

I also enjoyed her candid reflections on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). While many criticise the programme for various reasons, Oteh highlights its impact on her personal and professional development. Her one-month NYSC orientation, along with her one-year service, instilled a sense of unity, discipline, experience, and service that she carried into her career.

Ultimately, this book is not just a memoir, it is a masterclass in financial sector leadership and a roadmap for anyone looking to drive change and gain an understanding of how the capital market can create wealth for nations, organisations, and individuals. Oteh’s ability to combine technical knowledge with personal anecdotes makes it both informative and deeply relatable. From her philosophy on leadership to her belief in the transformative power of local capital markets, her insights are invaluable.

As she celebrates 60 years on earth, this book stands as a testament to a life dedicated to service, excellence, and impact. Oteh remains a true amazon and icon, and her story will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of leaders.