Here's a story of my rusty career.

1. I have always had passion to become an Environmental Consultant.

So after my first degree program in 2009,
I went ahead to do some major professional courses to solidify my pursuit.

2. I went into freelancing in some top Environmental Consulting firms in Abuja to gain some relevant and advanced experiences.
Most times without pay. All these times, I would do some web design, build mobile apps (sometimes), sell on Ali Baba, Teach at homes and all just to save towards starting my own consulting firm. Thanks to my family for supporting too. I was able to save up to 700,000 NGN.

3. Fast forward in 2016, I decided to register my own company, it cost me almost 60,000 NGN.

4. I paid for my office space 250,000 NGN. As a web designer, I designed my website and all.

5. 54,000 NGN went to professional bodies and association registration.

6. The killer blow was the income tax clearance. This I thought would at least be waived for new entrepreneurs, alas! I was so wrong.
Getting my license from the Nigerian Government was dependent on the provision of my tax certificate.

The FIRS people insisted that I pay a tax of over 100,000 NGN even when I told them that I wasn't really employed by one and that I just registered my business newly, they won't listen.

7. Haven paid the tax for an infant business, I couldn't continue as the cash flow I was hoping to get to pay for my license from the Government (NESREA, Ministry of Environment and AMAC) to enable me start my career didn't come.

8. I pressed on for grants and all. Non will listen or give attention to my applications.

In the end, one can never succeed in Nigeria as a starter because of the unfavourable start up environment and the nonchalant attitude of the government.

Perhaps, if one can get grants or support from families and friends.

Cc: Seun, Lalasticlala

Nigeria is a land that is cursed beyond what we are seeing

It is a pity. The business environment is too harsh for starters.

To some extend, your assertions about Nigeria are right. The environment isn't favourable for startup at all. But don't you think all of these happened as a result of your negligence? If you carried out or make some enquiries about business registration and licensing in Nigeria, you won't have dived into it with that amount of money.