How One Nigerian Went From ₦36k Corps Salary to Tech CEO

Photo: Vitaly Gariev

Imagine working 24/7 shifts as a corps member just to make ends meet, earning a measly ₦36,000 monthly. Now picture yourself years later as the Managing Director and CEO of one of Nigeria's leading tech companies. Sounds like a Nollywood script, right? Well, this is the real-life story of Jane Egerton-Idehen, and her journey holds game-changing lessons for every young Nigerian dreaming big.

The Hustle Begins: From NYSC to Satellite Shifts

Like many of us who've been through the NYSC experience, Jane started at the bottom. But here's where her story takes an interesting turn - instead of just counting down the days to her POP, she saw an opportunity in those grueling satellite shifts that many would have avoided.

While other corps members were probably complaining about the workload (and we can't blame them), Jane was busy building something more valuable than money - experience and skills. She understood what many of us learn too late: that your first job isn't just about the salary, it's about positioning yourself for the future.

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Here's the thing that separates winners from wishers in the Nigerian tech space - Jane focused on skills and challenging opportunities first. I know, I know, it's easy to say "skills over salary" when you're not the one trying to pay Lagos rent with ₦36k. But think about it this way: would you rather earn ₦200k doing the same basic tasks for years, or invest in learning high-value skills that could 10x your income?

The tech industry in Nigeria is hungry for skilled professionals. Companies like Paystack, Flutterwave, and Andela didn't become unicorns by hiring people who were just chasing quick money - they needed individuals who could solve complex problems and adapt to rapid changes.

Practical Steps to Follow Jane's Blueprint

Let's break down the actionable steps you can take right now, regardless of where you're starting from:

• Embrace the Uncomfortable: Take on projects that scare you a little. If you're only comfortable with basic coding, volunteer for that machine learning project. If you've only done frontend, try your hand at backend development.
• Network Strategically: Attend tech meetups in Lagos, Abuja, or wherever you are. Follow industry leaders on LinkedIn and Twitter. Don't just lurk - engage meaningfully with their content.
• Build While You Learn: Create projects that showcase your growing skills. GitHub is your best friend here. Nigerian employers and international companies hiring remotely love to see real work, not just certificates.
• Stay Consistent: Dedicate at least 2 hours daily to learning new skills or working on projects. Whether it's 5 AM before work or 10 PM after dinner, consistency beats intensity.

The Nigerian Tech Advantage

Here's something many people don't realize - Nigeria's tech ecosystem is booming like never before. We're talking about a sector that has attracted billions in foreign investment, created thousands of jobs, and positioned Nigeria as Africa's tech hub. But this growth means competition is fierce, and only those with genuine skills will thrive.

The beauty of tech careers is that they're largely meritocratic. Your background, school, or family connections matter less than your ability to solve problems and deliver results. Jane's journey from corps member to CEO proves this point perfectly.

The Long Game Mentality

One crucial lesson from Jane's story is patience. She didn't become CEO overnight - it took years of consistent growth, learning, and taking on increasingly challenging roles. In our instant-gratification culture, this can be hard to accept, but sustainable success takes time.

Too many young Nigerians want to skip the process. They see successful tech entrepreneurs and think there's a shortcut. But ask any successful person in tech - from the founders of Interswitch to the team at Jumia - they'll tell you about the years of grinding, learning, and gradual progression.

Your Next Move

If Jane's story resonates with you, here's what you should do this week:

• Audit your current skills honestly - where are the gaps?
• Research high-demand tech skills in Nigeria (data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing are hot right now)
• Find one online course or bootcamp and commit to completing it
• Join Nigerian tech communities online and offline
• Start building something - a website, an app, or even just contributing to open-source projects

Remember, every CEO was once a beginner. Every expert was once a disaster. The difference between those who make it and those who don't isn't talent or luck - it's persistence and the willingness to keep learning and growing even when the salary seems small and the challenges seem big.

Jane Egerton-Idehen's journey from ₦36k to CEO isn't just inspiring - it's a roadmap. The question now is: are you ready to follow it?