Taofeek Jimoh is a plank trader in Isolo. Having being in the business for 41 years, he observes that education is a stepping stone for a business man. Jimoh shares his thoughts with JOY NGWOLO.
How did you venture into the plank business?
This is the only trade I was exposed to since I was young. I began when I finished primary school in 1978 when I started following my father to his shop because he was a plank trader. I chose to continue with this business because back then it was easier to run. In those days, there were a lot of plank markets and we had easier access to planks. We could go to Ebute metta or Ijebu Ode to get planks but nowadays we have to travel as far as Akure, Edo and Delta state before we can get wood.
What do you think is responsible for the scarcity of planks especially in the south-west?
I think it is because Nigerians do not have plans for our future. When people cut woods, they don’t make replacements. The market is currently dry because there is scarcity of wood. We have to travel far distances to get the products. And the weather also affects us because during the rainy season, vehicles find it difficult to enter the bush to get woods. So that is why woods are so expensive now. Government officials also pose a challenge for us, for instance if we are to transport woods from Ondo state, we have to pay revenue in about five states. For each state that we enter, we have to pay for revenue until the goods get to Lagos. Although it applies to other trades, we pay more money than them. Policemen also stop our vehicles on the road, demanding for money.
Will you say these factors are responsible for the hike in cost of planks?
Yes, the price of plank increases every year because it is not something that can be manufactured. When trees are planted, it is not harvested instantly. It takes 30 years or more for the plank to be ready for cutting. Nowadays, the trees do not get ripe before we cut 
them down because there isn’t much wood in the bushes unlike before when woods could spend up to 50 years to mature before we cut it down. But now, woods do not get mature before it is cut down. Sometimes you cannot guarantee the quality of the wood that is being sold in the market and that is an issue for us. It is not the traders’ fault, it is because of the scarcity of wood. But it is wrong when a customer demands for a particular type of wood and the plank trader gives him another one.
What other challenges do you face running this business?
If the vehicle conveying goods breaks down or gets involved in an accident, it usually amounts to loss. Sometimes you buy wood and you don’t get to sell it immediately. It may get dry in your store and you will have to sell it at a lower price. What keeps me going is that I remind myself that there is no business without its challenges. When I look back at my achievements, I am assured that the future is bright. There are some young plank traders that have built their own houses through this business but you may not know.
How relevant is the plank trade to the economy?
There is nobody that does not use planks. Even when people die, it is planks that are used to construct their coffins. In building of houses, in making of furniture, construction of stalls and so on, we need wood.
What advice would you give to a young person who wants to venture into plank trade?
You need education because it gives you an edge in this business. When doing business with some companies, they judge your level of competence by how you speak and write. If they don’t like the way you use language, you might lose that deal because they believe that you are ignorant. If you have little education even as little as secondary school certificate, it can make some
difference. You cannot say that you did not go to primary school and you want to sell plank. Our forefathers did it and got away with it but nowadays you have to be educated to succeed in this business. A lot of our young plank traders are graduates and it gives them an advantage. Initially, we used to carry cash about but with the advent of the cashless policy, one can now make transactions without using cash. If you are not educated, you cannot do internet transfers. Also, you need cash. Initially when I started this business with N500 you could load 9 or 11 trucks from the bush or the market to your destination. But now, if you want to buy plank that will fill up those same number of trucks, you will have at least N400,000 or N500,000. Because of the changes in the economy, a plank that could sell for N1.80 in 1992 now goes for N1,300. With education, one will know how to borrow money. Some banks come to present loans to us but because our people are illiterate, we have a mentality that loans are meant for only rich people. Before you borrow money for this kind of business, you have to consider the risks involved. During the dry season, it is easier to harvest wood but during the dry season, it is not so profitable. Because if wood is not available, you will not be able to make sales, and if you are unable to make sales, you will find it difficult to repay loans.
What major achievement have you made since you started this business?
It has helped me to train my children up to the higher institution level and more.
