When I was told to share my story, I thought “Where do I start?”
I’ll just chorus the saying, when it comes to adulthood, we are all just winging it, nothing is ever as it seems.
As a Nigerian, it’s winging it, pro-max.
Being a Nigerian adult does not only come with highs and lows but also hyper-realistic expectations, deep tears, loud laughs, moments of euphoria, seasons of confusion, and stillness.
I remember in my teenage years, looking at my uncles and aunts thinking I could not wait to be free and independent. Take me back! I reminisce about a simpler time because I wish I was more informed. Of all the self-help books I read, not one prepared me for adulthood.
The independence I so desperately craved, is a façade, especially now that Nigeria can be likened to a thriller movie. You are constantly fighting for your life, watching your back, living each day like it might be your last, today you’re saving money, tomorrow your savings are saving you.
Returning to Nigeria was a rude awakening, the culture shock threw me off, it was like a bad dream, NYSC welcomed me to the struggles of Nigerian Adulthood. That year, I spent my birthday checking my portal to see where I had been posted, I constantly had moments of disbelief that this was my new reality. I was more concerned about how nothing works. I recall waiting for over two hours at a bank just to get an ATM card, the power situation was bad, and the road networks were bad but the worst had to be the network issues every other day. I’ve had to hotspot a vendor’s POS machine just to make a payment.
Fortunately, COVID struck shortly after returning so I had a break from the gbas-gbos but I feel I’m still settling in, there are situations that I still feel out of place. I have an independent mindset, but the experience had me questioning why I didn’t settle down for a foreign passport.
How am I doing today? Well, I’m surviving. I’m thriving right now by God’s grace and strength, also I have my family as my support system. A lot of self-affirmations and tears later but I’m surviving. When I’m overwhelmed, I take some time to cry and keep pushing. It’s funny, how I’ve cried more as an adult than as a teenager. Above all, I prayyyyy!!
Building my career in Nigeria as an independent woman has also been quite the journey. Hmmm, the corporate world in Nigeria is a boot camp, the pressure is real! I’ve learnt to leverage every opportunity I get, learn from everyone around me, and sometimes be selfish because truly – nobody sends your papa – but ultimately make sure I stay informed, hungry to learn and grow so I don’t become redundant.
Despite the black tax, constant unprecedented billing, and 1 credit to 100 debit ratio, I’ve found a way to still have fun and enjoy being an independent black woman. According to a veteran Nollywood actor, money stops nonsense, but the real hack is knowing how to maximise your money to save you from nonsense.
Maximising your income differs per person depending on your risk appetite and your goals, whatever your monetary obligation is, there is a solution for you (United Capital dey for you!!!!).
In addition to having a profitable portfolio, you can never underestimate the value of a strong network. ‘Your network is your net worth’, ultimately plays out as a Nigerian adult; most things you can achieve, come through a connection. Now when all this is in place and there is some level of financial freedom, take some time out to relax and reward yourself, only the living can truly experience life’s pleasures.
Honestly, we are still learning, no one can fully prepare for Nigeria and its surprises, at best we can expect to be surprised so that’s one up. Nigeria is tough today, but Nigerian adults are tougher and will continue to be. So, this year’s independence is to celebrate and salute our strength, resilience, patience, perseverance, and tenacity.
Hope is not lost, there are better days ahead.
