In a society where who you know often seems more powerful than what you know, trying to build a career without influential backing can feel like bringing a spoon to a gunfight. While others name-drop uncles, mentors, senators, and CEOs, you’re there with nothing but your CV and silent prayers.

Let’s be honest “connection” is a currency in Nigeria. Perhaps you have a friend who says “My uncle is in oil and gas.” “I know someone at the embassy.” “My aunty’s husband’s brother is in HR.”

But you, your most powerful connection is your 4th cousin who works with NEPA as a part-time staff. So you start thinking “Maybe I’m cursed.” “Maybe this system isn’t for me.” “Maybe I’ll never get ahead because I don’t have leg.”

It’s frustrating. It’s lonely. And sometimes, it feels like your dreams are locked behind doors you don’t have keys to.
I have been there. I know what it means to be passed over for a promotion on a project where I almost lost my life. I know what it means to be victimized and debited almost my full month’s salary for a false claim because there was no Uncle or Auntyt to stand for me to stop the bullying.
Godfathers and Godmothers can help but not having one doesn’t mean you can’t rise. I’ve also seen those with Godfather, family money, political access and Ivy League networks live far below their potential.

Here is what I have found, in this same Nigeria, who you know can open doors but what you build can break walls. If you don’t have a godfather, you need a strategy, visibility, value and guts to rise.

This article is for every brilliant, underrated, underconnected young Nigerian trying to break into spaces that feel locked to “who you know.” I will show you exactly how to build a powerful, profitable, and respected career even if nobody is speaking for you behind closed doors. If you are tired of being overlooked and underestimated, this is your map to flipping the script.
Let’s dig in.

The Nigerian “Connection Culture” hurts young talents. The Godfather Syndrome is alive and well. From internships to appointments, contracts to endorsements, many doors open because of political affiliations, church hierarchies, family legacy and social class.

This creates silent gatekeeping that tells young, hardworking people “You’re not from the right circle.” Or “Just know someone.” Or “Wait your turn.”

This culture rewards access over ability, punishes first-generation professionals and normalizes entitlement.

But guess what? Even those with connections need competence to stay in the room.
Connections may get you in but competence keeps you there. And if you have no connections, Excellence can force the door open.
You may not have someone to call but if you show up prepared, visible, and valuable, they will start calling you.
Before we get practical, let’s fix your foundation. It is the myths and our mindset. We cannot deny the reality that the job market is biased, that nepotism is real and that “Who you know” can fast-track your progress.

There are 5 myths and 5 mindset shifts every young person needs to make to break into this biased, nepotic and highly promising marketplace.
Let us start with the myths: I can them the 5 Myths About Career Growth Without Connections. Here they are:
1. “If nobody helps me, I won’t go far.” Wrong. The internet has made access a strategy.
2. “All the good jobs are already taken by ‘people who know people.’” Wrong again. Many companies are looking for competence over connection.
3. “I’ll start when I get a mentor.” Start now. Mentors are more likely to show up when they see motion.
4. “I’m too late. People already ahead of me got in early.”
Time is relative. Speed is customizable.
5. “Nobody’s watching.” Trust me, someone always is. Consistency attracts curiosity.
With the myths out of the way, let us look at the 5 mindshifts you must make.

1. Stop Begging. Start Building. Don’t DM people saying “Please help me, I’m just a young graduate.” Start saying: “Here’s what I have built. I will love your feedback.”
2. It is Not Rejection. It is Redirection. Every job that ghosted you may have made space for you to build better.
3. Visibility Beats Familiarity. If people don’t know you, they can’t recommend you. You need to be seen to be what you want to get from the market.
4. Stop Saying “I have no connections.” Start saying: “I’m building social capital one interaction at a time.”
5. You Are the Asset. No surname, no uncle, no Ivy league alumni group? No problem. Bring your skill, your clarity, your consistency. That’s your capital.

About Dr. Abiola Salami
Dr. Abiola Salami is the Convener of Dr Abiola Salami International Leadership Bootcamp ; The Peak PerformerTM Festival The New Year Kickoff Summit and EMERGE. He is the Principal Performance Strategist at CHAMP – a full scale professional services firm trusted by high performing business leaders for providing Executive Coaching, Workforce Development & Advisory Services to improve performance. You can reach his team on [email protected] and connect with him @abiolachamp on all social media platforms.