Ask any young Nigerian professional one honest question: “Is hard work enough?”
You’ll likely get a pause before the answer.
Across industries — banking, oil and gas, media, government contracts, even entertainment — one word quietly dominates career conversations: connection.
Who do you know?
Who can recommend you?
Who can open the door?
Merit still matters. Qualifications still matter. Skill still matters. But many believe access accelerates everything.
Job postings sometimes feel symbolic when internal candidates are already favored. Contracts move faster when referrals exist. Internships appear reserved before public announcements.
Is this uniquely Nigerian? Not entirely. Networking exists globally.
But here’s the deeper frustration: when connections consistently outweigh competence, motivation declines.
Young graduates are studying harder than ever. Certifications are increasing. Online courses are booming. Yet many feel stalled without insider access.
At the same time, defenders argue that relationships build trust. Employers prefer known quantities. Businesses reduce risk through referrals.
Fair point.
But what happens when talent without access is ignored?
Nigeria is full of skilled individuals without powerful networks. Innovation may be slowing simply because opportunity distribution is uneven.
The real question isn’t whether connections exist. It’s whether systems are transparent enough to balance them.
If merit feels secondary, ambition eventually weakens.
And a country driven by young ambition cannot afford that.
So here’s the uncomfortable conversation: in today’s Nigeria, is excellence enough — or is access the real currency?
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