Why I didn’t think this could happen to me is beyond me. Lagos corporate lifestyle has a way of making one feel untouchable. See, it’s not a case of what I feared the most eventually came upon me, I was taken by surprise when it happened: The life-changing, income-stifling, ego-bruising, future-altering event called getting laid off.



Last year, when Banks began laying people off, when close friends and valuable co-workers were let go, I actually thought I was indispensable; afterall, I schooled abroad, I don’t mean, I did masters abroad type-of-thing oh. I mean, I did last three years of secondary school and all of my higher education abroad. After which I moved back to Nigeria in search of greener pastures(even though we IJGBs like to say we returned to make our country great, na lie, na greener pastures all of us dey find, opportunities no dey “the abroad again”).


It couldn’t happen to me! How could a department of numbers people (CPAs and accountants and such) live without its words person (yours truly: writer, editor, speller, and self-proclaimed grammar cop)? They think they’re going to be able to write letters, policies, instructions, and newsletters on their own? They can’t let me go—there’ll be so many mistakes! Typos and “your”s instead of “you’re”s, misplaced commas, incorrect use of “their,” “there” and “they’re.” As far as I was concerned, they needed me more than I needed them.



Turns out I was wrong (not about the typos and grammar mistakes!) — but about being 100% needed. In an instant, I learned that I wasn’t as vital to the company as I thought I was.

When I was shown the door after nearly 7 years of service and loyalty, I was not so much shocked as I was disappointed and perhaps a bit vindicated. I discovered that the company didn’t see me as a member of the family, but as a position that could simply be eliminated.

When I started working there at age 23, right after NYSC, I was made to feel like I was part of a family. I developed friendships and became social with many of my co-workers outside of office hours.

I wish I had known…

I wish I had known that I was dispensable because then I would’ve realized that I had choices on that first day, five or so years ago, when I realized I was no longer happy. But like we all do, I tried to convince myself that maybe becoming chartered or getting more accountant qualifications would one day make me an ED in this bank, in Nigeria, it is not by like that jare.

I didn’t have to stay at a job that was making me miserable simply because I was hoping for a “safe” retirement. It wouldn’t have been a walk in the park—job searching in my late twenties when must job applications I see these days requires that one has ten years experience and be under 30—but now I know I would’ve survived it and have gotten a better job, if only I had jumped ship and confronted that fear I had of leaving a comfort zone.

I wish I had known…
I wish I had known that it’s OK to admit that it’s really not OK.

Staying in a job where you’re unhappy because you think its better than nothing+. I put all my eggs in one basket, and when that basket was ripped away from me, I was left without a job, without an income, and without the future I had pictured in my mind for so many years.

I wish I had known…

I wish I had known how much I would like doing something new.

I quickly learned it wasn’t too late for me to pick up the pieces and move on with grace and an idea for what I wanted in my next role—to be myself, feel appreciated, and be proud of the work I’m doing right now even though it is not paying as much as I would like, I unbelievably feel more fulfilled and I have time to pursue my passion, the kind that doesn’t involve sing along to anything playing on radio in Lagos traffic. If I had known it was going to be this invigorating, I would’ve done it a long time ago.

What I know now…

So even though I’m earning less now, nothing is better for the CV like have multiple experiences with various different companies, it actually makes one more marketable.

Emotional stability, personal satisfaction, and physical health are as important as a paycheck, if not more so. And I now know that if, down the line, I find myself unhappy where I am, I have choices. I’m not stuck or afraid. Most importantly, I am replaceable.

I wish I had known a lot of things, but above all, I wish I’d known that few things are forever. The option to find something better and brighter was always there. It just took getting laid off for me to realize it. But I can’t worry about how long it took me or what might’ve been if I’d quit and not been let go.

What matters is that I’m here now, doing work I like, surrounded by people who inspire me, grateful to be in a better place and most importantly growing.

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/three-things-learnt-laid-off/

Hmm! Nice write up. Many of us remain stuck to what we d cos of the fear o d unknown.
May God help u u o our eyes to opportunities that abound

advice to all


get a good 9 to 5 paying job

gather all the experience you can

then learn something

..sometimes i have shows to play in.. i go to work with my guitar . drop it off with the guards.. after work.. i am off.. making extra cash

check me out below