A TikTok creator has sparked a conversation about several aspects of everyday life in Nigeria that she believes people have accepted as normal, even though they should arguably raise concerns.
In a video, she highlighted the pressure many Nigerians face to hold multiple jobs while working extremely long hours, yet still struggle to meet basic living expenses. She also questioned the expectation that young people should immediately become financially self-sufficient once they graduate from school.
She identified lengthy daily commutes as another issue, pointing out that some workers spend between two and four hours travelling to and from work. She also spoke about how some people hesitate to take holidays because they fear that their absence could create problems at work or elsewhere.
The creator further discussed the growing tendency among young people to feel guilty whenever they desire a more comfortable or fulfilling life rather than simply focusing on survival.
She also criticised the widespread perception that having the right connections is often necessary to gain access to jobs, opportunities, or other forms of advancement. In addition, she questioned the habit of asking people about their salaries before finding out whether they are actually satisfied with the work they do.
Another concern she raised was the advice frequently given to university graduates to immediately acquire additional vocational or technical skills because their degrees alone may not be enough to secure employment.
She noted that obtaining a university degree can still leave young people needing several other qualifications before becoming competitive in the job market, including practical skills, professional experience, additional certificates, and personal connections.
According to the TikTok user, these circumstances have become so widespread that many Nigerians have stopped questioning them. She argued that familiarity with such challenges should not automatically make them acceptable, concluding that “it’s not normal.”