A car engine is a marvel of engineering, a symphony of moving parts working in harmony to generate motion. Each gear, piston, and belt is designed with precision, fitting seamlessly into the system to produce power efficiently. When all the parts are in place, the engine hums with effortless efficiency. But if the wrong component is forced into a space it wasn’t designed for, the engine struggles, loses efficiency, and eventually breaks down. In many ways, this is a metaphor for human potential, when people are placed in the right roles, they thrive; but when they are forced into positions that don’t align with their skills and passions, they struggle, burn out, and fail to reach their full potential. Yet, unlike an engine that ceases to function when mismatched, humans persist, adapting to ill-fitting roles at great personal and societal cost.
Tunde was once a young boy who loved to take things apart and put them back together. He would spend hours in his father’s workshop, fascinated by the way machines worked, dreaming of becoming an engineer. But as he grew older, the reality of Nigeria’s economic landscape set in. Engineering jobs were scarce, and survival took precedence over passion. With a family to support and bills to pay, he found himself behind a desk in a bank, processing transactions he had no interest in. His hands, once eager to build, now shuffled papers, and over time, the dream he once held so dearly faded into a distant memory. Tunde’s story is not unique, it is the story of countless Nigerians who find themselves in careers dictated by necessity rather than passion, forced to fit into roles that do not align with their true potential or interest.
Nigeria is economically immature. Economic immaturity is more than just a lack of stability, It is a structural deficiency in economic planning and labor market dynamics, where the absence of robust industries, skill-aligned job creation, and sustainable growth mechanisms prevents the optimization of human capital, by forcing people to navigate a system that neither recognizes nor nurtures their true abilities. It manifests in structural weaknesses, an over-reliance on oil, fragile institutions, inconsistent policies, inadequate infrastructure, and an economy that struggles to generate adequate quality jobs.
Nigeria’s economic immaturity has forced millions into careers that have little to do with their abilities or aspirations. In its post-independence years, the country exhibited strong industrial potential, with thriving manufacturing hubs in cities like Kaduna and Kano. The 1960s and 1970s saw Nigeria producing its own textiles, steel, and consumer goods, creating structured career paths where individuals could refine their expertise and contribute to national productivity. However, this foundation was steadily dismantled by economic mismanagement, inconsistent policies, and an overdependence on oil revenue. As oil wealth flooded government coffers, industrial development was deprioritized, and the nation shifted from a production-based economy to one heavily reliant on imports.
The privatization wave of the late 1990s and early 2000s, rather than fostering competition and efficiency, often led to the rapid erosion of stable career paths. State-owned enterprises that once provided long-term employment and technical skill development were auctioned off, frequently to private entities more concerned with asset-stripping than revitalization. This transition resulted in mass layoffs, the collapse of organized labor structures, and the disappearance of industries that once absorbed skilled professionals. With fewer avenues to build expertise in technical fields, a generation of Nigerians was pushed into makeshift careers, graduates of engineering programs became bank tellers, trained scientists pivoted to marketing, and skilled factory workers turned to informal trade. Instead of an economy that nurtured specialized talent, Nigeria developed a labor market where adaptability, rather than mastery, became the most valuable survival skill.
The impact of our now survival driven career landscape extends beyond the workplace. People who spend their lives in roles they do not love experience chronic stress, burnout, and a deep sense of fulfilment. This is not just a workforce problem, it is a crisis of self-actualization. A society that continuously misallocates talent cannot truly progress. Brain drain accelerates, as the most skilled and ambitious Nigerians seek opportunities in countries where their talents align with industry needs, further depleting the nation’s capacity for innovation and progress. However, there is a subtler tragedy unfolding, the quiet resignation of those who remain. Those who stay, not because they want to, but because they see no viable alternative. The dreams they once held shrink into practicality, and over time, they forget they ever wanted more.
A well-functioning society, like an efficient engine, depends on each component being in its rightful place. Nigeria must transition from a survival-based economy to one that values purpose-driven careers. This requires more than just policy changes; it demands a cultural shift in how success is measured. We must normalize the pursuit of meaningful work, not just lucrative work. Education should empower students to explore passions rather than funnel them into predetermined career paths dictated by market forces.
It is important for me to say at this point that people will always work for survival and economic realities will continue to impact the workforce. Market conditions, industry demands, and global trends will influence career choices, and not everyone will have the luxury of aligning their work with their deepest aspirations. However, survival or practicality should not be the dominant factor in guiding career and work choices. When opportunism takes precedence over purpose or passionate interest, it leads to a workforce that is reactive rather than innovative, filling gaps instead of breaking new ground. Most importantly, let us always remember that no society can unlock its full promise when its people spend their lives as square pegs in round holes.
Eyesan Toritseju is a graduate of Civil Engineering from Covenant University turned serial entrepreneur and corporate strategist. Passionate about society and the cultural ideologies that shape us, he explores how these forces propel or inhibit progress through his writing. In his column, Cosmopolitan Nigeria, Eyesan examines how young Nigerians navigate the complexities of culture, religion, and identity in a rapidly evolving world.
