On June 3, 2025, Zikoko hosted an engaging X (formerly Twitter) Space as part of the #ShifttheStory campaign. The discussion, titled “From NYSC to CEO – Creating Your Own Career Path,” featured four remarkable women who shared insights from their journeys. The speakers were Adora Nwodo, an accomplished software engineering manager with multiple awards; Binta Badmus, the founder and creative director of BintaBadmus Lady; Nneka Esther, a self-taught polyglot and notable personality from the HER docuseries; and Matilda I. Adegbola, who served as the moderator.
The speakers elaborated on their experiences before and after participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, detailing the steps they took to forge their successful careers. For those who missed the session, we’ve distilled their key tips and empowering quotes to guide you on your own career path.
While the routes to success may vary, the methods often converge.
1. Start Taking Action
The common thread among the speakers was their busy schedules, both during and after NYSC. Each woman focused on different projects and career goals while demonstrating consistency in their efforts. Adora knew she wanted a career in software engineering from the beginning, while Binta was determined to launch her fashion brand. Nneka engaged in various activities, hoping to identify her passion. Their experiences underscore the importance of pursuing multiple interests and being persistent on one’s path.
“I was doing a lot of things at the time. I was learning how to make hair, learning tailoring, etc.” – Nneka Esther.
“I want young women to know that it’s okay not to be sure about what you’re doing. All you need to do is be consistent with it.” – Binta Badmus
“The thing with me is that I always have a big picture or a plan. I try to see if what I’m doing at the time will take me one step closer to my goal. If the answer is yes, I just do it.” – Adora Nwodo
2. Enhance Your Skills
In the eyes of the speakers, being valuable means being resourceful. Throughout their careers, each speaker actively sought education and training to enhance their skills—whether through formal degrees, online courses, or internships. Their determination to be valuable and resourceful was key to their success.
“I was also taking a course on the fundamentals of digital marketing, which was about monetizing and selling the skills you already have online.” – Nneka Esther
“I’m always trying to build skills. Since I was in university, aside from my civil engineering degree, I would take online courses. Data analytics and big data courses are essential. It’s important that we keep working on ourselves as we grow.” – Binta Badmus
“It’s important to provide value to people. When people see that they can get something meaningful from you, it encourages them to support you.” – Adora Nwodo
3. Trust Your Instincts
Exercising one’s strong will can lead to successful outcomes, but it’s crucial to channel that determination wisely. The speakers recounted instances when they had to disregard societal expectations in favor of their career aspirations, even at personal cost. Through grit and unwavering resolve, they navigated their paths successfully.
“I was doing a lot of things at the time, so I think it would have been difficult for anybody to complain.” – Nneka Esther
“The first set of people who won’t get your vision is your immediate family. They all thought I could do better than starting a fashion business, especially because I was a first-class student.” – Binta Badmus
“I went against what my parents wanted me to do. So that fear of failure and determination of who I wanted to be pushed me.” – Adora Nwodo
4. Spend Wisely
The discussion also emphasized the importance of financial literacy. Each speaker shared how they managed their finances during the early stages of their careers. Binta launched her fashion brand with a modest ₦15,000 allowance from university, while Nneka capitalized on online opportunities to generate income. The overarching message was to maximize your resources effectively.
“I took a lot of online courses on how to make money online. One of the teachers in a masterclass I joined suggested I create a language study guide, and that was it.” – Nneka Esther
“I started with my allowance from university, which was ₦15k. I also borrowed money from my sisters and made sure I paid them back. Then I leveraged grants a lot. I applied for and won the Tony Elumelu Foundation grant.” – Binta Badmus
“Most of what I’ve done is related to being employed. So I was using my salaries to fund my ideas.” – Adora Nwodo
5. Seek Guidance
Building a network of mentors is invaluable. The speakers shared their experiences of reaching out to individuals who had successfully navigated the paths they aspired to follow. Such mentorship relationships have proven crucial in accelerating their professional growth.
“I had someone whom I looked up to, and I think that really helped me. That was my first experience with mentorship, and he supported me with reading my university applications and helped with mock interviews.” – Adora Nwodo
“I try to look for people who have done similar things. These people are where you want to be or have been there already, so when they help us, we’re getting tips on how to get to our destinations faster and wiser.” – Binta Badmus
“Sharing your story and progress is important because it helps build connections. It’ll also provide opportunities to work with the kind of people you like. Follow people who are doing something; follow those who know the road.” – Nneka Esther
We invite you to engage with us by tuning into the recording of the session. Share your favorite insights as well!
Join us for our upcoming X/Twitter Space on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. on Zikoko_Mag as we discuss “Bag Secured: Level Up in Your 20s.” Details of our speakers are available below.
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