Dalhatu Abdulaziz is not just a staff at AFEX, He is part of the family. He joined the company when it was still a dream in the founder’s garage, and together with others, he helped make it a reality. Abdulaziz had no idea about commodities exchange work when he joined AFEX as a new job seeker, having left his teaching job in Zaria.

New to the industry and adulting at the time, he has grown to become one of the oldest AFEX Xperts. Here, he talks us through being one of the pioneer field officers and now a strong believer of the BaWasa movement while recounting some of the experiences he has gone through since joining AFEX. He tells us about the challenges and joys of working in this field, and how he finds meaning in his work by bringing food and happiness to people in need.

We want to hear your story. How did you become a part of AFEX? What was it like in your early days as one of the pioneering Xperts?

I was there at the inception in 2014. Prior to AFEX, I and some others were employed by a company named Collateral Management International (CMI). We were trained for different roles, such as managers, admin, and operation officers, to work at the warehouse.

I joined AFEX through CMI. When their contract with AFEX elapsed, though they were operating in Nigeria, those that wanted to continue with AFEX were left to leave. It was a question of: “Do you want to stay with us, or would you like to port to AFEX?”

In the beginning, we were barely 25 workers with 4 warehouses across Zaria, Makarfi, Saminaka in Kaduna state, and Dawanau in Kano state. In my early days at AFEX, I was an Operations Officer in charge of quality assurance. I was tasked with receiving, stacking, and ensuring the grains were in good condition before dispatch.

Wow, it’s interesting that you witnessed the whole of AFEX; what moment stands out the most for you?

A memorable event I would never forget was in 2015/2016, in one of our warehouses in Zaria, I was at the farm when I received a phone call from a security officer asking me to come to the warehouse immediately.

I was a bit taken aback because I could hear the panic in his voice; when I asked him to tell me what was going on the phone, he insisted I come to the warehouse because it was an emergency. While he was speaking, I could hear muffled conversations in the background, but I made out, “Where are the keys to the stores?”. I became scared myself; on rushing down there, I saw about 25 trucks and 50 laborers loading those trucks while our security officers were handcuffed with guns pointed at them.

I tried to talk with them, but they claimed they were SARS officers with court orders. I kept shouting that I was the assistant manager, but they wouldn’t hear me. They kept saying they would only speak with the manager. I had to rush to report the incident to the nearest police station. That was the most terrible day; we lost over 20 trucks with maize worth millions of naira. I felt hopeless and helpless.

You’ve gone through some scary times with AFEX, but you’ve also had some great ones. In all of this, what is the most cherished memory you have with your fellow Xperts?

That would be the getaway/retreat we had at The Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State. We had fun, which was a way to know my colleagues beyond the working environment. It shows that Xperts has the perfect balance of fun and work.

Now, let’s switch gears and focus on AFEX’s growth. What makes you passionate about being a part of AFEX and how do you feel about the progress so far?

Judging from the incident at the Warehouse, I thought I’d be laid off; however, I was given another chance. So, I’d say it is how we are treated without discrimination. Also, there has been no default on salaries Laughs. My health insurance and that of my family being covered is a big deal for me. I enjoy what I do because AFEX enables me to help farmers eliminate the constraints that prevent them from growing and selling their products. We are in a race to fight poverty, and food hunger and ensure all-year production of commodities in Africa.

What’s the biggest change you have experienced at AFEX so far?

I was transformed from being a classroom instructor to an agricultural machine. In essence, I am now trained to understand every rudiment of the warehouse and how it functions. These are some of the positions I have held within the company:

• 2014 - Operation Officer.
• 2016 - Warehouse Admin.
• 2021- Operation Supervisor Zaria Processing Plant.

Has the expansion into other countries caused a change in how things are done in your team?

Not really, my job description required me to change location.

I used to work very close to home. Since coming to work here, I have noticed a significant growth in my knowledge about the use of computers.

In the beginning, it was Sorghum and Maize storage, but we’ve advanced to other commodities like Soybean, Cocoa, Cashew, Ginger, Sesame, Wheat, and Paddy rice. Now we are also closing the gap in financial inclusion for farmers. Our #Trade on the go, ComX, are some of the transformations and achievements I have witnessed in AFEX.

How has working at AFEX changed you as a person or a professional? What is the one thing that you have learned here that you will never forget?

The most important/best lesson I’ve learned is that there’s strength in working as a team. We succeed faster and better when we play our part in a team. As long as each person delivers their absolute best, then nothing is possible.

What is your vision for AFEX’s future? How do you want to contribute to its growth and impact?

I see AFEX being Africa’s commodities exchange reference point, and insha’Allah, we will succeed with how we are going by. BaWasa!

My gratitude goes to my mentor, Mr. Ayodeji Balogun, the Xpandable Xpert. I’m really grateful for carrying me along to be part of the commodity trader diary.