Nahujahatibu

20/01/2026

Is 2026 really the new 2016?

They say "2026 is the new 2016." But looking back at my 2016 archives, I realized I’m not the same person who posted those grainy photos with the Snapchat flower crowns.

Ten years ago, the world felt like a different place. Trump had just been elected, and the US was in chaos. In Tanzania, the late Magufuli would surprise ministers at their desks and fire people on the spot. Uber had just launched in Dar, and I was enjoying the rides in better cars than a usual taxi. You could write your name on a Coke bottle, and Club Bilicanas was shut down before I could even properly enjoy the nightlife I’d grown up reading about.

While every celebrity was going crazy over Darassa’s Muziki at the end of the year, I could not stop playing Adele’s 25 album or singing Rihanna’s Work on repeat. We were all obsessed with Snapchat filters that we knew looked fake as hell, but at least AI was not a thing then, so when you saw a video on Vine, you knew it was real.

For me, 2016 was the year I decided to be "Shameless."

I had moved to Dar in 2015, and I was dreaming at a volume that probably annoyed people. I was pushing Areacode Entertainment, organizing model shoots, managing artists, spending nights in studios, and promoting a Valentine’s single. I was chasing down famous clients like Wema Sepetu at that time, then left my media house job to join a top agency, and my fiancé and I bought our first car. I wanted to make a name for myself so badly that I forgot to breathe. I took every opportunity I was handed, but mostly, I created my own out of thin air.

Then, everything changed. I saw my first baby’s sonogram.

When I found out I was becoming a mother, I panicked. I thought choosing my child meant giving up on those "Big Dar Dreams." I had to slow down, and by the end of the year, I decided to quit the 9-5 life for good.

But looking back from 2026, I realize that "break" was actually my breakthrough. If I hadn’t slowed down to embrace motherhood, I wouldn’t have had the clarity to build Areacode Africa into the marketing firm it is today.

If I could go back to that girl in 2016, the one with the overthinking brain and the restless heart, I’d hug her and say: "It’s fine, Nahuja. This baby is going to change your whole life, but he isn't taking your dreams away - he’s giving them a purpose."

2016 taught me that if you want it badly enough, you will get it. However, the last ten years have taught me that if you want it to last, you have to build it with intention.

We might be nostalgic for the filters and lo-fi vibes of a decade ago, but I wouldn't trade the clarity I have now for anything.

What is one thing you miss from 2016 that you wish we brought into 2026? (Besides the cheaper fuel prices! 😂)

25/09/2024

In this 8th episode, I continue with the MWF edition of the "What I Know" Podcast. During my time in the USA, I also got a chance to sit down with Sarah Kuponiyi, a public health practitioner, Author, and, social entrepreneur from Nigeria. Sarah shares her journey from experiencing period poverty firsthand to founding Alora Reusable Pads, a social enterprise creating eco-friendly menstrual products.

Discover how Sarah's work is not just about providing pads, but about breaking down barriers to education, promoting gender equality, and fostering sustainable solutions to period poverty. Learn about her innovative concept of "Pad Banks" and how it could revolutionize menstrual health management in Nigeria.

Watch the episode here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD1_ltciJNc

For more information about Sarah's work, check out https://alorapads.com/ and you can connect professionally on LinkedIn through https://lnkd.in/dVsJWYzv

Don't forget to like the video, subscribe to my channel, and share your takeaways from the conversation in the comments below.

23/09/2024

What were you doing in your first year of college? While most students were adjusting to campus life, Fridah Otsyulah was busy launching her honey business while starting medical school!

In this seventh episode, we continue with the MWF edition, I had a sit down with Dr. Fridah Otsyulah from Kenya, a passionate medical doctor and the founder of Nasaka Honey. Discover how this soft-spoken powerhouse used her student loan to invest in beehives, turning her side hustle into a profitable venture within months.

Click the link to watch the episode -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3XvSbAxImE

I hope you will enjoy this conversation as much as I did and learn something new today.

For more information about Dr. Otsyulah, you can check out her IG page at

Do not forget to like the video and subscribe to my channel if you have not already. I would love to hear your takeaways from the conversation in the comments session below.

22/08/2024

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18/08/2024

In this sixth episode, we continue with the MWF edition and I could not wait to share my sit down with Irene Iraba, the only fellow from Tanzania with whom I was lucky enough to share an Institution during the Mandela Washington Fellowship in the USA. Despite being in her 20s, Irene's journey has been incredibly inspiring. Being one of the co-founders of Healthy Seaweed Co. Limited, a company dedicated to supplying high-quality, wild-crafted seaweed products to the world. Irene's company is empowering hundreds of Seaweed farmers in the Tanzania Coastal Region and educating people on the benefits of using seaweed that contains 92 minerals daily.

During my conversation with Irene, we covered various topics, including her life after completing her degree in 2021, her career in sales and marketing, and the lessons she has learned from the Mandela Washington Fellowship. I hope that Irene's story inspires those who have recently finished university or are still finding their footing in their careers. If you are considering applying for the Mandela Washington Fellowship 2025, I hope Irene's experience inspires you to pursue this opportunity. Her story shows how the fellowship can truly transform your self-perception, offer invaluable learning experiences, Expand your network, and empower you to dream bigger than ever before.

For more information about Irene Iraba, you can check out her LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-iraba-a3b4131b9/

and learn more about seaweed and what the company does through https://healthyseaweedcafe.co.tz/

Watch the episode here --> https://youtu.be/auNsK520L9Q

Do not forget to like the video and subscribe to my channel if you have not already.

I would love to hear your takeaways from the conversation in the comments!

17/08/2024

During the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit in Washington DC, I did an ignite talk representing my country ( Tanzania ) and Jackson State University. The YouTube video is now available, and I would love to share why I decided to do this spoken word piece.

Being a working, entrepreneur mom raising two beautiful sons, one of whom has Autism Spectrum Disorder, was my inspiration for this. The entrepreneurship journey has its ups and downs and, at times, the weight of responsibilities makes me question why I bother at all. Despite my knowledge and experience, traditional employment often seems like a safer choice. While stories of success make it sound easy and more rewarding, the truth is there is no clear path or guideline to follow. We love the excitement of taking risks and the anticipation of seeing our hard work pay off, but in the meantime, there are bills to pay, roles to fulfill, and, in my case, therapy sessions to attend. I may seem to be in full-on hustling mode, but honestly, I am tired most of the time. Through this piece I presented, I hope you understand my perspective and can relate to what I am expressing. Being open is important, as I know I am not alone in this challenging landscape of African entrepreneurship.

Nahuja Hatibu is a 2024 Mandela Washington Fellow who completed a Leadership in Business at Jackson State University. Ignite Talk content was prepared by Fel...

11/08/2024

While traveling to the USA and being exposed to different cultures and business leadership practices was invaluable, I must say that meeting other young leaders from across Africa has been the highlight of my experience. We learned from each other, and I was fortunate to spend six weeks with an incredible, inspiring 24 individuals who continue to motivate me.

Now that we are back home, I have had the chance to reflect. With the new application opening in just a few days, I thought this would be the perfect time to share some of my fellow participants' stories. I hope that others can learn from them as I did and that any young leaders considering applying for next year's cohort will be inspired by these stories and motivated to put their best foot forward. I can assure you, that it is an extraordinary experience.

For the first episode of this Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) edition, ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQXs9DnuyVI&t=895s ) we have Babafemi. Join me for an insightful conversation with this AgriTech innovator from Nigeria. We'll discuss his journey in agricultural Fintech, the impact of technology on smallholder farmers, and the future of agribusiness in Africa. You will learn about our experiences in the Mandela Washington Fellowship and gain valuable insights if you are an aspiring applicant.

For more information about Babafemi, you can check out his LinkedIn page at https://lnkd.in/dFJzgG8D or learn more about what he is doing back home at https://www.crop2cash.com.ng/

Join me for an insightful conversation with Babafemi, a fellow Mandela Washington Fellow and AgriTech innovator from Nigeria. We discuss his journey in agric...

03/07/2024

This morning hit differently ( yes am still sleepy ). Thousands of miles from my business, I feel the weight of two worlds on my shoulders. The time difference means my days start before dawn and end long after dusk. I catch myself envying the 9-to-5ers who can truly disconnect from this fellowship. For us entrepreneurs, our businesses are like children - always on our minds, always needing attention.

Week two is in full swing, and I'm running on fumes. My body aches for rest, but my mind races with worries - am I dropping the ball back home? Am I making the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity here? The program is relentless, in the best and hardest ways. Every morning, I drag myself out of bed, questioning if I have anything left to give. Yet somehow, we show up - ready to absorb, challenge, connect, and grow.

Do not get me wrong - I'm incredibly grateful to be here. However, this entrepreneurship journey, of constantly pushing boundaries and seeking growth, tugs at your very core. The exhaustion is real, but so is the fire that drives us forward.

To my fellow entrepreneurs, we may bend, but we do not break. We are writing our own stories, one sleepless night at a time. Keep pushing, keep dreaming, and keep building. The world needs what only you can create.

02/07/2024

On Saturday, the 29th, we, the Mandela Washington Fellows at Jackson State University, had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area. We spent 5 hours helping to build a home for an amazing Black woman. This weekend has been a powerful reminder of how much impact we can have in our communities.
It was a humbling and inspiring experience to give back and truly make a difference in the lives of people in Mississippi who have been so welcoming since we arrived. I learned so much about the importance of community service and how even small efforts can make a big impact. I can't wait to take these skills and ideas back home. Everyone can do something to make their communities better, and I am up for the challenge.

Jackson State University
Habitat for Humanity