Careers

Starting a business sounds glamorous - the independence, the potential for big wins, the chance to build something from nothing. But when I launched my first venture in Lagos five years ago, a small online store selling affordable gadgets imported from China, reality hit hard. I had saved up some money from my banking job, quit to go full-time, and dreamed of scaling to multiple outlets across Nigeria. Within six months, I was scrambling to pay suppliers while dodging calls from angry customers. Looking back, here are the harsh truths I wish someone had hammered into me before I jumped in.

Freelancing sounds like the ultimate dream for many Nigerian professionals - work from anywhere, set your own hours, and earn dollars while sipping garri in your Lagos apartment. I fell for it hook, line, and sinker back in 2019. Fresh out of a soul-crushing 9-5 in banking, I quit to become a full-time graphic designer on Upwork. Six months in, I was celebrating my first $1,000 payout. Two years later, I'm still freelancing, but the shine has worn off, revealing a grind that's equal parts exhilarating and exhausting. Here's the unfiltered truth about making it work as a Nigerian.

I've lost count of the times I've seen talented professionals in Nigeria stall their careers because they couldn't quickly access the right information. Picture this: you're a software developer in Lagos eyeing a remote gig with a US firm. You need to brush up on React hooks, understand salary benchmarks for Nigerians abroad, and scout visa options - all before tomorrow's interview. Without a system, you're drowning in tabs, forgotten bookmarks, and half-remembered Google searches. With one? You're prepared, confident, and one step ahead.

I've watched friends and colleagues in Nigeria grapple with this question for years: should I pursue a Master's degree? Some jet off to the UK or Canada on scholarships, others grind through local programs amid ASUU strikes, and a few skip it entirely to build skills on the job or online. It's a decision that can shape your entire career trajectory, especially in a job market where unemployment hovers around 33% for young people and connections often trump credentials.

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Before diving in, a quick disclaimer : my basic needs are met, and on a good day, having a job makes finding the next one easier. The market is unstable, and I am fully aware of that.

AI has changed how we work, think, and even hire. It’s brilliant at handling data, automating tasks, and saving time. But even at its best, AI can’t do what makes us human.

I've always been someone who sets big goals in my career - landing that promotion, switching to a dream role, or building a side hustle that takes off. But more often than not, those ambitious targets left me feeling stuck and doubting myself. It wasn't until I started focusing on tiny, everyday achievements that things shifted. Confidence didn't come from overnight success; it built up through these small daily wins, like stacking bricks to form a sturdy wall. In the high-stakes world of work, where rejections and deadlines can chip away at your self-assurance, embracing this approach has been a game-changer for me and many others I've mentored.

I've lost track of the number of times I've stared at a blank screen, deadline looming, knowing I need to update my resume or prepare for that promotion interview, but instead I scroll through endless feeds or reorganize my desk. Procrastination isn't just a bad habit - it's a universal hurdle that can stall careers before they even gain momentum. In the fast-paced world of work, where opportunities come and go quickly, understanding the psychology behind why we put things off can be the key to pushing forward.

I've spent a good chunk of my career bouncing between the familiar and the unknown. Early on, I stuck to one role in marketing for years, tweaking campaigns and perfecting reports that felt second nature. It was comfortable, almost cozy. But then came the nudge to pivot into content strategy, a field that demanded new skills and exposed me to uncertainties I hadn't anticipated. That shift wasn't easy, but it opened doors I didn't know existed. It's made me think a lot about the comfort zone - that psychological bubble where things feel predictable and safe. In our careers, it's both a steadfast ally and a subtle saboteur.

I've spent years climbing the career ladder in tech startups here in Lagos, and one of the hardest lessons I've learned is how to say no without that nagging guilt creeping in. Early on, I was the yes-man - taking on every project, every extra meeting, every last-minute favor from colleagues. It felt like the path to success, right? Show you're a team player, prove your dedication. But it left me burned out, resentful, and honestly, less effective at the work that mattered. Saying no isn't about being difficult; it's about protecting your time and energy in a world that demands too much.

I've spent years jumping between jobs that looked good on paper but left me feeling empty. In my early thirties, after another round of burnout at a tech startup, I realized I needed something to anchor my career choices. That's when I stumbled upon the idea of a personal mission statement. Not the fluffy corporate version, but something raw and personal that actually guided my decisions. It changed how I approached work, and I suspect it could do the same for you if done right.

I've always been fascinated by how people structure their days, especially in high-stakes careers where every hour counts. In my years as a career coach working with professionals in Lagos' bustling tech scene and beyond, I've seen ambitious folks pour endless energy into evening networking events, late-night planning sessions, or unwinding with Netflix marathons. They chase the perfect evening routine like it's the key to success. But here's the thing I've come to believe after countless conversations and my own trial-and-error: your morning routine sets the trajectory for your entire career far more than whatever you do after the sun goes down.

I've set a lot of goals in my career, from landing that first promotion to building a side hustle that actually pays off. Like most people, I started with the SMART framework - specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. It's everywhere in career advice: books, workshops, even your boss's annual review template. And it makes sense on paper. Who wouldn't want goals that are crystal clear and trackable? But over time, I realized SMART isn't always the magic bullet it's cracked up to be, especially in the messy, unpredictable world of work.

I've spent over a decade navigating the ups and downs of corporate jobs in Lagos, and one thing stands out: boundaries aren't just nice-to-haves - they're survival tools. But here's the catch - most people I know set boundaries that crumble the first time their boss shoots a late-night email or a colleague dumps extra work on their desk. It's frustrating because we all want that balance, yet it slips away like sand through our fingers. What if the problem isn't the boundaries themselves, but how we build and maintain them? In my experience, effective boundaries come from understanding the subtle dynamics of workplace power and personal energy, not just declaring 'no more after 6 PM.'

I've spent years in various roles across tech and consulting, and one thing that's surprised me is how often the best ideas sink or swim based on how they're told, not just what they are. In meetings, pitches, or even casual chats with colleagues, the person who weaves a compelling narrative usually wins the day. It's not about being dramatic or fictional - it's about making complex information stick in someone's mind. Storytelling turns dry facts into something memorable, and in a career, that can make all the difference.

I've been there more times than I can count. You're at the peak of a career milestone - maybe landing that promotion you've hustled for, or closing a deal that everyone said was impossible. The room erupts in applause, emails flood in with congratulations, and yet, inside, a voice whispers that you've just gotten lucky. That you don't deserve it. That any second now, everyone will realize you're a fraud. Imposter syndrome doesn't care about your resume; it thrives when you're winning the most.

Early in my career, I made a decision that cost me dearly - not just in terms of money, but in opportunities and peace of mind. It was the kind of mistake that sneaks up on you because it feels right at the time, wrapped in the excitement of a big offer and the promise of stability. Looking back, it's a story I've shared with a few mentees over coffee, hoping they might spot the red flags I missed. This isn't about beating myself up; it's about unpacking what went wrong and how it shaped everything that followed.

I've always believed that the best professionals aren't just experts in their field - they're investigators at heart. A few years back, I was working on a marketing project for a small business in Lagos, trying to figure out why our social media campaigns weren't converting as well as we'd hoped. It wasn't rocket science, but it felt like detective work: digging through customer feedback, analyzing competitor strategies, and sifting through online trends. What started as a hunch turned into a solid data-driven pivot that boosted our engagement by 40%. That experience stuck with me because it showed how research skills - the ability to ask questions, gather information, and make sense of it all - aren't just for academics or scientists. They show up in every corner of our working lives.

I've spent over a decade in software engineering, jumping from startups to big tech, and one lesson keeps coming back: progress beats perfection. Every day, I choose 'good enough' not because I'm lazy, but because it keeps me moving forward in a career that rewards action over endless refinement. It's a mindset that's helped me ship features, land promotions, and avoid burnout, and I suspect it could do the same for you if you're stuck in the perfectionism trap.

I've sent thousands of work emails over the years, and I can count on one hand the number that got ignored despite being important. Most of the time, when an email goes unanswered, it's not because the recipient is rude or busy beyond reason - it's because the email itself didn't grab their attention or make it easy to respond. In a world where inboxes overflow with messages, your email needs to stand out and respect the reader's time. Let's break down how to craft one that actually prompts a reply, drawing from what I've learned through trial and error in fast-paced teams.

I've been working remotely for the better part of a decade now, starting back when it was still a novelty rather than the norm. What began as an experiment during a family move turned into a full-time reality, especially after the pandemic forced companies worldwide to adapt. In those early days, I worried that being out of sight might mean out of mind for career advancement. But over time, I've seen remote work reshape how we grow professionally in ways that are both challenging and liberating. It's not just about where you work from; it's about how the boundaries of your career expand or contract in unexpected directions.

I've always been fascinated by the idea of financial freedom, especially growing up in a place like Lagos where economic ups and downs can make single-income living feel like walking a tightrope. A few years back, I was grinding away at my day job in marketing for a telecom firm, pulling in a steady but uninspiring salary. The rising cost of living - fuel prices, school fees, you name it - had me constantly anxious. That's when I started exploring multiple income streams. Not out of some get-rich-quick dream, but survival. Yet, I quickly learned that chasing extra cash can lead straight to exhaustion if you're not careful.