🎓 “So I Finished School… Now What?” — The Psychology Behind Nigeria’s Career Disillusionment & the Japa Fever

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You know that feeling after your final exam — that mix of relief, joy, and quiet panic? Yeah. That’s the moment the real test begins.

For many Nigerian graduates, the post-uni phase feels like falling into a black hole of “What next?” You’ve spent four (or maybe five — depending on ASUU’s mood swings) years chasing a degree. You imagined it as a golden ticket. Instead, you step out and realize the job market is a reality show where your degree is just… vibes.

Welcome to career disillusionment, the unspoken epidemic of our generation.

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🎭 The Great Expectation Scam

From childhood, we were fed the classic script: “Go to school, read your books, get a good job.”
But Gen Z Nigeria is living in a remix version: “Go to school, pray your degree trends on LinkedIn, and maybe learn UI/UX while waiting for NEPA.”

It’s not just unemployment. It’s emotional whiplash — a deep mismatch between what we were promised and what reality serves.
Many graduates find themselves asking, “Did I just waste four years?” And honestly, the question is valid.

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🧠 The Psychology of “Japa”

When your home environment keeps screaming “No opportunity for you here!”, your brain starts whispering, “Maybe Canada cares.”
That’s escape psychology 101 — a coping mechanism driven by learned helplessness. You try, you fail, you try again, and the system still blocks you. So, you reframe success as leaving.

It’s not just about money; it’s about dignity.
Gen Z doesn’t want to just survive — we want meaning, freedom, and WiFi that works.

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💸 The Hustle Identity Crisis

Now, let’s talk about how this disillusionment fuels the “multi-hustle syndrome.”
Everyone’s a freelancer, crypto bro, skincare plug, YouTuber, or tech sis. Not necessarily because they love it — but because survival now wears the face of innovation.

The problem? The constant pressure to “blow” by 25.
It’s exhausting. The same system that underprepared us for life is now demanding “soft life” results immediately.

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🪞 So What’s the Way Forward?

Let’s be real — we can’t all Japa. And even those who do realize that peace isn’t just a location; it’s a state of alignment.
Here’s what helps:

1. Redefine success. Stop measuring your life by outdated templates.

2. Skill up with purpose. Learn something because it interests you — not because everyone’s doing it.

3. Build community. Surround yourself with people who get the struggle, not those who glamorize fake wins.

4. Therapy, not Twitter rants. Processing failure is a mental workout. Don’t bottle it.

5. Stay adaptable. The world’s changing fast; unlearning is your new superpower.

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🧩 Final Thought

This generation isn’t lazy. We’re just tired of broken promises dressed as pathways.
Career disillusionment isn’t failure — it’s the awakening that forces you to build a life that actually fits.

So yeah, your degree might not be your destiny — but your clarity? That’s your real flex. 💡