Imagine considering the luxury of choosing a career? Nigerian kids could never. Not when principalities and powers are out to frustrate and stress you, here are 6 ways Nigeria chooses a career for you.

1. Your parents choose  

Nigeria or your strict parents will choose a career for you. Your mother already decided since your naming ceremony that she wants to be called mama doctor, how dare you tell her that you want to be a photographer? When God gave man the power to choose, he did not include Nigerian kids, please.

2. Your grades choose for you 

When you get into SS1, most Nigerian secondary schools do this thing where they put kids in arts, science and commercial class based on their junior secondary school performances in those subjects. What’s your principal’s business with your dream of being the next Ben Carson? You failed basic science twice which means you should become a lawyer instead, get with the program.

3.  Your Jamb score chooses 

If you successfully scammed your parents and your principal into letting you study what you want, you’d still have to deal with Jamb. These guys will mess you up, give you fake scores and even tell you you didn’t sit for the exams. Jamb is basically that one video game level that makes you give up on the game. 

4. Your university chooses

If you eventually pass your Jamb exams, there’d be “post utme” exams waiting to stress your life. You’ll apply for a particular course but maybe you didn’t meet the cut, now you’re stuck doing CRS education for four years, just to end up having a career as a social media manager.

5. Sapa chooses

You might have even studied a course you liked, graduated with honours and done your NYSC, and in true Nigerian fashion, your parents might stop sending you money.  When you and Sapa become best friends, you’d end up choosing a career in a field far from what you studied.  That’s why we have plenty of zoologists working as bankers. The game is the game. 

6.  Nepotism chooses

Sometimes, that uncle or auntie that promises you a job after school comes through, except it’s hardly ever in a field you want. Choosing a career in Nigeria is a game of tinko tinko with a sprinkle of chess, and there are no winners. 


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