Dear young Nigerian Millenial,
Nigeria is not your friend! No, let me say it again, in a bolder way, NIGERIA IS NOT YOUR FRIEND! Yes, I said it. You see all those lofty opinions you have about your relationship with the country you live in, please put it off.
They say there are things that life teaches you, I say there are things that Nigeria teaches you. Dear young Nigerian millennial to survive this love-hate relationship with your country you must learn some things:
- This is Nigeria, No one owes you nothing:
You see this entitlement mentality that everyone has right now, you must put it off. You are Nigerian, the government doesn’t owe you anything, your family owes you only love, your church/mosques owes you nothing! You must fight for yourself if you want anything. Stop feeling entitled to people’s time, money or influence. That you know someone on a somewhat personal level doesn’t give you automatic access to them anytime you like. Ogbeni go and hustle!
- Grow your influence: NETWORK! NETWORK! NETWORK!
Ogbeni, when they say everything for Nigeria na connections, my dear, they mean am o! No take am for face value. You have to grow your influence. There are celebrities who made their first break on connections. Movies have been made on connections and not money, businesses were established on connections not money.
My guy, go for events (beneficial events, symposiums, seminars). I am not saying to become an event junkie but go for events that are in line with what you want to do. When you go for an event, don’t just pack your bags and leave like a zowor(dimwit) after it’s over, meet people, ask questions. During breakout sessions or small group meetings, introduce yourself and tell people what you do. If it’s a virtual meeting, leave the most comments (solid ones o). Exchange contact information, if it’s mail sef… Guy, NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK
- Learn a skill:
Remember back in the day, when those primary and secondary school friends of ours, went to the mechanic workshop or the tailors workshop after school to learn those skills?? Remember how we laughed at them, teasing them calling them tailors?? Well, some of them have automobile workshops alongside their 9–5’s and some of them, are fashion-preneurs now with multiple clothing lines to their name and we are still what???
Exactly! Now, the time is no different, the modalities have changed but the game remains. You need to acquire skills. Skills outside your scope of study and knowledge. Tech is the future of work, in this Nigeria, tech would take over, go and acquire good soft skills. It doesn’t matter that you are still in school, Oga, aunty, go and learn a skill.
- Become Eagle-eyed
My mother would say in our native dialect, “ayan gi ru ala” meaning let your eyes be on the ground. This basically translates to say, you must be observant, keep your eyes and ears to the ground. Your social media shouldn’t only be for dissing people or watching comedy skits. It should be a place to search for opportunities. Look for remote jobs, regular job openings, find side gigs and platforms to learn. However, understand that who you follow determines your findings. You can’t be following only celebrities(especially celebrities that don’t have what you want) online and expect to get tangible things… err….err.. you must be joking.
- Finally…..brethen…. Watch what you say
We have agreed that Nigeria is not our friend and what do you do to people who aren’t friends?? You don’t tell them stuff. Learn not to always express how you feel. I know we have a history of suppression and oppression and that makes everyone in the millennial generation have the spirit of “shalaye” (constant explanation).
Regardless of who is involved, the president, your pastor, your imam., whomever. Please restrain from always speaking your mind all the time. Sometimes, observe, listen and rethink. This would help you process better.
Well, that’s all I have now. If you have more tips for our Millenials, please share in the comments below. Thank you!!
