You were born without any leverage, connection, access, or safety net?
Are you the first person trying to carve a niche on a path different from your predecessors?
You don't have an uncle that has a house in Ikoyi, a father who is a Principal Partner of a top-tier law firm that handles election petition cases yearly for politician or a mother who is the Iyaloja of Bodija Market or a sister who is one of the Directors of NNPC?
You don't have an aunt who is the HR of Samsung or SEPLAT, and who never has anyone's time because of her busy schedule of traveling first class flight across different countries?
Oh, you don't have an uncle who can loan you 500m or a father that could loan you 250,000 euros to scale your business?
You grew up in a village where every man's dreams die before they see the light of the day, where you used dilapidated buildings as schools, ate rat as protein, fasting as food and regarded alibi as governance?
Or are you someone who left home to feed home? As you are struggling day by day to build yourself, you are also sending a huge percentage of your earnings home to take care of your parents?
It will be very disastrous for you to compare your journey with someone who has a leverage at his/her disposal. Baba mii, life is already leading you 50-0. It is just your reality!!!.
Coming from a poor background is a reality for millions of Nigerians, but your starting point does not dictate your future. Growing up with limited financial resources is tough, but focusing on personal responsibility, continuous learning, acquiring high-value skills and God's grace is a proven way to shift your trajectory. Whilst doing everything possible to rewrite your story, never compare yourself with anyone who has a leverage/support that's unknown to you. You must always avoid people who Mock Your Small Beginnings:
You start a small business, they laugh.
You post your hustle, they roll their eyes.
You try to grow, they say “you too dey do.”.Listen, if they can’t clap for you now, they don’t deserve a seat at your table later.
Rahma cares ✍️
Don’t compete with people who are privileged.
Their race was rigged from the starting line. While you were hustling with no godfather, no connections, and no inherited cushion, they were handed the baton with a smile and a sponsorship deal.
Competition is only fair when the field is level. Stop measuring your sweat against their silver spoon. Protect your peace. Build your own table.
The game recognises real.