I graduated from the University (if I reveal this, my colleagues who are avid Nairalanders would identify me
) some 4-5 years ago with a second class upper, then proceeded to the Nigerian Law School (still made 2:1) and served in Rivers State. I did my NYSC in a reputable law firm (name withheld) in Port Harcourt. It was quite an experience both good and bad. I left the firm after service year out of frustration due to the poor leadership and mismanagement of funds by the head of office (the guy has since been fired). Mind you, my salary as a corper was 10k (the average NYSC legal associate in Lagos earned at least 5 -7 times this amount). I had depression at this point in my life.After my unpleasant experience at the Port Harcourt firm and months of depression coupled with deep thinking and reflection, I decided to relocate to Lagos in January 2020 hoping to find a change in perspective. Mind you, I’m not from a poor background, my parents are both highly educated and middle-class workers residing in the South. Part of my resolve in relocating to Lagos was that I wouldn’t practice law again, I’ll probably go into technology, banking, or corporate communications (I speak eloquently).
After my relocation, I teamed up with a friend to work at a technology startup somewhere on the Island but this newfound path didn’t go as planned (I call this divine providence) and I was back to sitting at home. I did a few speaking jobs (volunteering) and some petty legal jobs for my friends and family to get by. At this same time, I was aggressively applying for both legal and non-legal jobs. This decision came on the background of my Dad’s advice that I should dust my CV/Certificates, search for a job and revive my already dwindling legal career. My Dad’s attempt to connect me to a senior partner at a hotshot law firm in Victoria Island failed and I basically had to do it my way.
Fast-forward to mid-February 2020 I had three interviews in three law firms within a space of two weeks. These firms ranged from mid-sized to small-sized. I attended all the interviews, the first interview was in a small law firm managed by a Senior Advocate. The SAN immediately liked my personality and offered to instantly hire me on a monthly pay of 100k (below industry standard). The other two law firms had slightly better remuneration, great structure and were bigger in size and outlook but their recruitment process was lengthy and I had to start immediately with the SAN on my Dad’s advice. I grudgingly stayed with the small firm hoping that I’ll get an offer from either of the two mid-sized firms and then port. Unfortunately, COVID happened and one of the firms discontinued my recruitment process while the other firm out rightly rejected me. I was deeply heartbroken. In order to keep my spirit and dreams alive, my Dad kept drumming into my ears that a smaller firm meant more work and a better learning experience. He kept reiterating the need to “know” the law and stop chasing money (what all senior lawyers say
). So, I was basically stuck with this 100k job, trust me at first the environment was deadening and monotonous (reading law reports and writing legal opinions every day isn’t fun at all 
). I felt like ditching my Old man’s advice and resigning during this period but due to COVID, I had to borrow commonsense and stay back. Little did I know that staying back was the best decision I would ever make to date, all thanks to God, my Dad and COVID.While 100k may sound fair to most people, kindly note that some of my colleagues (with the same academic grades as mine) in top firms earned a monthly average of 250k or more. This awareness made me very discontent and unhappy but I still hung on to my job (a bird in hand is worth more than two in the bush) besides, who quits his or her job in the midst of a COVID induced global economic crises.
Then in October 2020, everything changed! My boss got this very big personal legal project, it was really big and my boss asked me to come on board the project team. I was then paid the sum of N2.5Million for my participation and input in the project. Later on, another personal project came through, although little. I did not even do much this time and my boss gifted me 500 Pounds from the project. All of this financial largess is outside my boss’ magnanimity in other areas like superb mentoring, paying for my professional certifications, and giving me advice (my boss can advise for Africa
), etc. Mind you, no matter how much I’m gifted or paid from the personal projects handled by my boss, my salary is still fully paid and as at when due. All these legal projects are reflected in my CV and have greatly boosted my career prospect. These projects have also helped me to build an impressive Linkedin profile and I’m currently very active in that space.Recently, I got involved in another personal legal project with my boss and was paid N2 Million from the project fees. Sometimes, I look back at the events of my life and ask myself how I got to this pivotal point. If I hadn’t listened to my Dad’s advice and sought God’s face, I don’t think I would enjoy this type of privilege. I remember asking God for a multinational job but here I was, stuck with a 100k job completely unaware that God put a multinational remuneration in a small office with barely 8 employees. I’ve only worked for a year and 3 months but I’ve achieved what some people haven’t achieved in 3-5 years (career-wise and financially). Please don’t reject certain little offers that come your way, pray to God and seek advice where possible. Some blessings come in disguises and you may never know. This is my little grace-filled career story; I hope it inspires someone today. I want to thank God Almighty for his grace in my career and my lovely parents for their advice and tremendous support.
PS: I have abridged my story to hide certain facts and information for my personal safety and that of my office and boss. My story may sound too good to be true but believe me, it is absolutely true.
source http://www.nairaland.com/6566463/n10000-salary-millionaire-pay-grace
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