Achieving my dream of becoming a lawyer in Nigeria was a momentous occasion, realized in 2021. As I stood in front of the Supreme Court waiting to be enrolled on the day of my Call to Bar, I was engulfed by a whirlwind of emotions. The joy of reaching this significant milestone was palpable, yet my mind was flooded with reflections on the journey that had brought me to that point.

Getting into law school was no easy feat. Financially, it was a strain, and I had to get out of my comfort zone to make ends meet. I found myself multitasking between various skilled jobs, even working temporarily on building sites; carrying blocks and mixing sand and cement just to earn extra money for law school. Every drop of sweat and every sacrifice felt like a step towards a distant goal. Giving up or failing was not an option.

On the day of my Call to Bar, I was alone, yet I felt a deep sense of achievement. I congratulated myself for making it through the trials and triumphs. However, as I celebrated the milestone, another question loomed large: What would my next steps be?

I have always had a strong interest in corporate law, business, and technology. Ideally, my next step after Call to Bar would have been to secure a position at a reputable firm and start earning a good salary.

As part of the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, I was posted to a Ministry of Justice to work with the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Criminal matters were fascinating to observe and work on, yet I knew deep down that this wasn't my passion. Despite this, I decided to make the most of the opportunity, gaining as much knowledge and experience as I could. The NYSC period for me was a chance to build myself up, acquiring relevant skills and preparing for the journey that lay ahead after my year of service. It was a time of growth and self-improvement, laying the groundwork for the future I envisioned in corporate law and technology.

They say your location can significantly shape or influence your professional journey. I came to understand this all too well after completing my service year. To my dismay, I discovered that no law firm in the area I resided aligned with my passion for corporate law, business, and technology. This is why I empathize with young lawyers who aspire to relocate to places like Lagos or Abuja for work. While these cities offer more opportunities, they also come with their own set of challenges, downsides, and advantages.

The lack of law firms catering to my niche wasn’t the only issue. Poor remuneration was a significant problem. Many law firms or senior lawyers who hire young lawyers in Nigeria often tell them not to focus on making money in the early years of their career, emphasizing that they are there to learn. I always found this notion appalling, but it is the harsh reality. These firms and lawyers are well-versed in employment laws and are aware that young lawyers have needs, especially in a time when Nigeria’s economy is tightening and the cost of living is high.

The situation painted a bleak picture for me, and I even almost started to wonder if all the stress I passed through to be admitted to the Nigerian Bar Association was really worth it. I eventually decided to work with a small law firm. My boss was incredibly smart and intelligent and is still one of the most proactive lawyers I have known. His passion for perfection had a way of unconsciously rubbing off on everyone who worked with him. Of course, there was a catch; any errors in your work would earn you a tongue-lashing that could make you think about your life for days. (I was always very good and dedicated with my work, and I managed to escape all that) He was a great boss still, and thankfully paid a whopping 15,000 to 30,000 naira every month, along with a daily appearance fee of 1,500 to 3,000 whenever you went to court.

I recall one day in court, a young lawyer senior to me at the Bar lamented how almost all the senior lawyers in our area, including his boss, neglected the financial welfare of the young lawyers working for them. He told me I should count myself lucky. His definition of luck was that despite my boss’s harsh words, which they all knew about, he was one of the few (or perhaps the only one) actually paying his young lawyers to go to court and providing them with monthly stipends.

I laughed it off because I knew this was temporary. I hadn’t made all those sacrifices just to settle for less. I often reminded myself that I entered the legal profession with nothing but a strong passion and a drive to achieve great things and leave a lasting legacy. To that effect, I knew I had to do more. A man has needs, after all.

These early experiences shaped my resolve and clarified my goals. But this was just the beginning. In the next part of this thread, I will share how I handled the challenges ahead and continued to pursue my passion in the legal profession.