The hustle is real. Always has been. From Lagos to Kano, Aba to Abeokuta, the Nigerian spirit has always been one of grind and grit. We’re taught early on to go to school, study hard, get a good job, and send money home.
Maybe you’re even the first in your family to “make it.” But deep down, somewhere between back-to-back Zoom calls and Sunday evening anxiety, you’re asking yourself:
“Is this what I really want to be doing with my life?”
You’re not alone.
Many young Nigerians, and indeed Africans, are waking up in the the middle of their lives…and asking, “Is this all there is?”
For a growing number of people, finding purpose in your career in Nigeria is no longer a lofty ideal or luxury. It’s becoming a quiet necessity, one tied not just to success, but survival of the soul.
So, why now? Why purpose?
The short answer? We’re tired of just surviving.
According to a 2023 Statista report, Nigeria has over 84 million people employed, with the majority being self-employed or working in informal sectors. That’s a lot of energy going into work that doesn’t always feel fulfilling or sustainable.
But something is shifting. We’re no longer okay with just working. We want work that:
Aligns with who we are,
Grows our skills and our soul,
And impacts more than just our bank account.
Dr. Michael Steger, a psychologist and expert on meaningful work, puts it simply:
“When people find purpose in their work, everything improves from performance to mental health.”
And mental health is no small issue in Nigeria today. A 2022 WHO report estimated that one in four Nigerians will face a mental health challenge in their lifetime, which is often linked to stress, burnout, and social pressure.
We are all chasing anything that looks like success:
- A 6-figure salary.
- A second master’s.
- Land in the village.
But at night, when your phone is on DND, the real question creeps in: “Do I even like what I’m doing?”
What ‘purpose’ really means (and what it doesn’t)
Let’s be clear; “purpose” isn’t always quitting your job to start a candle brand or a non-profit.
It’s not necessarily flashy. It’s not about becoming an influencer. Or any grand ideas.
Purpose means alignment.
It’s when your work, your values, your strengths, and your sense of service start to sit on the same bench.
It’s when your day-to-day life begins to reflect what truly matters to you and not just what pays.
In Nigeria, our ancestors didn’t use the word “purpose,” but they lived it.
A Yoruba hunter knew his path. An Igbo blacksmith passed down his tools and wisdom. A Hausa mat weaver knew her work meant something to her people.
Purpose means alignment.
It’s when your work, your values, your strengths, and your sense of service start to sit on the same bench.
It’s when your day-to-day life begins to reflect what truly matters to you—not just what pays.
In Nigeria, our ancestors didn’t use the word “purpose,” but they lived it.
A Yoruba hunter knew his path. An Igbo blacksmith passed down his tools and wisdom. A Hausa mat weaver knew her work meant something to her people.
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Real Nigerians, real purpose
Forget the big speeches from highly successful people about purpose. We spoke to average people already living purposefully.
Adaeze, 33, Ilorin
Former pharmacist turned wellness coach. She blends her grandmother’s knowledge of herbs with modern healing techniques.
“Purpose for me was reconnecting with where I come from. Now I help other women reconnect too.”
Tolu, 31, Abuja
HR professional by day, boys’ mentor by weekend.
“I realised I couldn’t wait for ‘someday’ to matter. So I started with Saturdays.”
Ada, 26 – Lagos
“I worked at different tech startups but I was miserable. Now I use my coding skills to build apps for NGOs. Purpose just means to align with your inner yearnings.”
None of them went viral like Tunde Onakoya of Chess In Slums. But all of them are building something sacred. Something aligned.
How to start finding purpose in your career in Nigeria
This isn’t a 4-step formula. But here are some places to start:
1. Pause & Reflect
What lights you up?
When do I feel most alive?
What do people thank you for, even when you think it’s no big deal?
What kind of work leaves you feeling energised, not drained?
If money wasn’t the issue, what would I be doing?
2. Revisit Your Roots
Talk to your parents, your grandma, your community. What values did they live by? What were they proud of?
What did you love doing as a child, before “seriousness” took over?
3. Be okay with slow progress
Purpose isn’t always lightning. Sometimes it’s a candle. Let it burn slow.
Consistency is louder than clout.
4. Start where you are
Look, we get it. Nigeria isn’t soft. But purpose doesn’t require you to quit your job today and go live in the village. Sometimes it starts small. Quiet. Real.
Don’t quit your job (unless you’re ready). Instead, bring more of you into your current space.
Start that blog. Mentor one person. Teach what you know.
A Note to the overwhelmed
Purpose isn’t a performance. It’s not something you have to post on LinkedIn or prove to family and friends.
It’s that quiet knowing: “I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
And even if you’re not there yet, the fact that you’re asking the question?
That’s the first step.
What we’re really saying
Finding purpose in your career in Nigeria is about alignment, not perfection.
You don’t have to choose between money and meaning. You can build both.
Your calling might already be in your hands. You just need to see it differently.
Call to action
Take 10 minutes this week. No distractions. Ask yourself:
“What kind of work would I be proud to tell my children about one day?”
Write down whatever comes up. That’s your seed. Water it.
