From “Oga-Driven Development” to Product-Led Trust

A World Product Day Reflection

This year’s World Product Day gave me a chance to pause and reflect, not just on the evolution of product management globally, but on how much I’ve grown in my own journey.

I had the pleasure of attending the #WorldProductDayLagos event organized by Innovate Africa Foundation, and every session brought new insights. But one in particular stayed with me, the conversation between Chimgozirim Nwokoma of Techpoint Africa and Adebiyi Oluwole, Head of Product at Moniepoint Group.

They discussed a topic that hits home for many Product Managers, especially those working in high-growth, founder-led environments:

“Oga-Driven Development.”

It’s a term that refers to product development driven entirely by leadership’s vision where founders or CEOs make most of the product decisions, and PMs are expected to simply execute.

If you’ve ever worked in such a setting, you’ll know it can be challenging.

You’re not just managing a backlog, you’re navigating authority, ego, instinct, and urgency. You’re trying to stay loyal to your users and the long-term strategy, while still respecting top-level directives.

And yes, I’ve been there.

There was a time when I struggled to confidently advocate for user-led direction.

I knew what the data said. I knew what users were telling us.

But in those moments, it wasn’t easy to push back or propose alternatives.

The Turning Point

Over time and with a lot of intentional effort (a little stubbornness too)that dynamic began to shift.

Today, I’m fortunate to work in an environment where mutual trust defines the relationship between product and leadership.

I can now confidently shape product strategy based on:

• Real user insight

• Market realities

• Long-term product value

The CEO trusts me. Not just to deliver, but to decide.

That trust didn’t come instantly, it was earned.

Here’s how that happened:

✅ Consistently listening and learning – So I wasn’t just presenting opinions, but insights.

✅ Showing up with clarity and context – Always ready to defend the “why” behind the “what.”

✅ Aligning product decisions with business goals – So leadership saw that we were all on the same side.

✅ Delivering value repeatedly – Because trust follows results.

✅ Confidence – Speaking up and backing up any claim.

To Other PMs Navigating This

If you’re in a similar situation, maybe early in your PM career, or working in a startup where leadership is highly involved, know this:

Oga-driven development is real.

But you can shift the tide.

Not through confrontation but through consistency.

Consistency builds credibility.

Credibility earns trust.

And trust opens the door for product leadership that’s truly user-led.

So this World Product Day, I’m celebrating every PM doing the invisible work: Balancing priorities. Advocating for users. Leading quietly and building products that matter even in environments where that’s not always easy.

Keep going.

You’re doing more than you think.