90 days in Lagos

In 2014, I entered a bank for the very first time, feeling old and ashamed at the age of 19. My dad had always been the one to pay my school fees, and I envied my peers every time they mentioned going to the bank to handle things themselves. To me, a bank was a sacred place, reserved for people with privileges, those who were intelligent and civilized.

I was admitted to a national university and offered a scholarship, which required me to open an account for the monthly allowance. Receiving RWF 25,000 felt like a huge amount to me, almost like a million. I couldn't even imagine receiving that sum every month. That day, I went in, sat down to fill out the account opening forms, and submitted everything as required. I wasn't composed; I was smiling, looking around, admiring the place, and the fact that I was finally sitting in a bank, being attended to. It made me feel like the only and most important person in the world that day. When I left, I could sense that everyone was looking at me and treating me with the respect I deserved.

A few days later, the allowance arrived and I can't even describe how excited I was. However, there was a new challenge ahead - requesting a chequebook. The funny thing was, I didn't even know what a chequebook was, but I was going to have one, and I was going to use it to access my own money. I chuckled at the thought. There was a lady at the bank, a teller, who always attended to me at the counter. I can't quite recall her name, but she was beautiful, and she used to call me 'Mukazi'. I often wondered how someone could work at a bank, knowing where to input details and give out money. Where did she even click to provide me with a receipt? How did things function there? To me, bankers were like nerds (though I can't speak for the present times, haha).

Over time, I got used to the process. I learned how to fill out cheques, deposit slips, and how to use mobile banking, among other things.

Even though my degree was in Business Information Technology, I had zero knowledge about banking. In fact, after I graduated, I ventured into a completely different field - art. I became a freelancer, focusing on poetry, film-making, and translation. I loved it; it became my passion. Despite transitioning away from active participation, I still attend art events and immerse myself in that world.

As fate would have it, a year later, I got a job offer from Access Bank. Interestingly, I hadn't even heard of this bank before I joined. People had mentioned that it was a good bank, and I must say, I do find it pretty cool. Ceteris paribus, of course! Now, I know the reality of working in a bank. Regardless of my past studies and experiences, my career had taken a new direction, and for now, I am on this path. After all, the future isn't something we can predict!

There was a moment when I felt utterly drained while working at the bank, probably around 2022. I even contemplated just standing up and leaving, never to return. But a voice inside reminded me that my future was in my hands. However, I often wonder who placed it there, lol. During that time, I spent most of my days searching for a new job. Not because I despised the bank, but because I was an outsourced staff, dissatisfied with my salary, and craving a change of environment, perhaps. Yet, the truth is, I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to pursue professionally. I realized that in life, it's not always about chasing what you want, but sometimes about wanting what you have and building upon it.

In the midst of my attempts to find a new path, I eventually received a job offer from an American tech company. With this offer, I was looking at a potential career shift, starting from scratch. This new direction would bring me back to a field related to my college studies. Indeed, I love IT, even though my practical knowledge is limited to typing the words I'm writing now and a few other tasks; IT used to be my passion until high school and university shifted me towards a blend of Business and IT. Eventually, life led me to the business side. I did manage to take some introductory courses in Database and Data Analytics. Perhaps one day, I'll become a professional hybrid or maybe these experiences will just become memories. Only time will tell.

On the same day that I was called to sign a contract with the tech company, Access Bank presented me with another intriguing opportunity for professional growth. I have to admit, I don't particularly enjoy having multiple options to choose from. The bank's offer was indeed tempting, but it also carried risks. I despised making choices. However, I had to weigh the pros and cons; the bank's proposition held potential, even though it was a gamble. At last, I decided to take the risk.

The gamble, in this case, involved moving to Nigeria, which was the bank's offer. The risk was substantial. As an outsourced staff, I was being given the chance to become a full-fledged staff of Access Bank, no longer sharing my salary with someone else. But in order to make this transition, I had to resign from my current position and embrace a period of unemployment. The stakes were high; failure could result in termination, sending me back to my home country to search for a new job. Undoubtedly, it was a precarious move, but I took the plunge.

I've been in Nigeria for three months, striving to give direction to my career as I said. What a journey it has been!

I have a genuine affection for Nigeria. I had been introduced to the country through books prior to my physical arrival. Stepping foot in Nigeria felt like revisiting a familiar place. I found myself in Lagos State, a vibrant and bustling hub. The city was alive with people and businesses, adorned with tall buildings and beautiful houses. It's a city of commerce, and I felt a strong connection to it. Discovering this new side of the world was invigorating. Observing how people interacted, communicated, and socialized in this environment was intriguing. The excitement I felt on my very first day endured for three months and remained unwavering.

Of course, there were challenges along the way. I encountered moments of homesickness, but life moved forward regardless. Attending classes and facing exams after a five-year gap was a shock to my system. I began to question my mental capacity, given the intensity of the coursework. The food, spiciness, and excess oil posed their own difficulties.

Speaking of studies, this was an entirely new experience for me. Classes were scheduled from Monday to Saturday, spanning from 9 am to 6 pm. Some courses required exams immediately after class, while others were held on Mondays. Sleep was a luxury; often, I managed only 2-3 hours of rest. There were instances when I found myself reading until morning. The intensity of the curriculum was daunting, but I was mentally prepared for it. The practical experience was a different story altogether. Facing like 300 pages of reading and preparing for an exam the next day was a recurring challenge. The fear of failure loomed large. Each time before an exam, thoughts of packing my bags and leaving before completing the program would cross my mind. I would question if that was truly the path I had chosen, risking my job to come to Lagos. However, I persevered, and my efforts paid off. My brain didn't falter, even though there were moments where it came close. The pressure was immense, especially when faced with the possibility of failing an exam and having only one opportunity to retake it, or face dismissal. The pressure was unforgettable, yet strangely, I found enjoyment in it. It forged a resilience within me that I desperately needed, not only in my career but in my everyday life. I witnessed peers being sent home just days or weeks before completing the program. There are moments from that period that I won't miss, but they contributed to my growth. I emerged from that challenging period with my job secured, and I'm optimistic that the future will be even brighter.

During my stay, I formed friendships with several individuals. We were a diverse mix of eight nationalities, including Rwanda, Nigeria, Zambia, Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, and the DRC. Our interactions were enjoyable, with each person occasionally speaking their native language, fostering an environment of cross-cultural exchange. Interestingly, I felt a peculiar connection with Sierra Leone. I knew all eight Sierra Leonean trainees, and their names; and it seemed like an invisible bond tied me to that country.

Amidst all this, I invested the little money I had into buying books, satisfying my longing for Nigerian literature. Even though I was broke, I was content to be spending my stipend on this intellectual pursuit.

The structured routine we lived by, allowed only Sundays for any sort of freedom. On this day, we were permitted to visit a shopping mall, with everyone piling into a bus for a supervised shopping trip. These moments of liberty were cherished, as they were the only breaks from our otherwise regimented routine.

Despite the challenges, I savored this three-month experience. While homesickness occasionally struck, I was enthralled by the journey I was undertaking. Now, my career path stands before me, and I'm eagerly anticipating where it will lead me.