Aisha’s thumb scrolls from Gmail to LinkedIn to Instagram, over and over. Her messages to top professionals, crafted with care and hours of thought, have all been “seen” but ignored. This is modern mentorship in Nigeria: brave, vulnerable asks swallowed by a digital void. Ghosting is no longer just a dating problem; it has entered the professional space, leaving Gen Z frustrated, anxious, and questioning their own worth.
The Great Mentorship Mismatch
Aisha’s pain isn’t personal, it’s actually systemic. Globally, only 41% of young people feel confident navigating the workforce, and 74% lack access to mentorship that could boost career confidence. For Gen Z in Nigeria, the problem is amplified by the economic uncertainty, and a professional culture that has yet to catch up with their collaborative, holistic approach to guidance. Traditional mentorships were hierarchical and slow, but Gen Z craves ongoing relationships that influence career, values, and life choices. The mismatch between expectation and reality fuels the confidence crisis.
No One Is Coming to Save You: Mentorship in Nigeria’s Survival Economy
In Nigeria, mentors are often overworked, under-resourced, and focused on their own survival. From healthcare to tech and finance, the professionals young people look up to are either stretched thin or have emigrated in search of better opportunities. This creates a massive “access deficit” where millions of young Nigerians compete for guidance from a shrinking pool of mentors. Even programs designed to bridge the gap like Jobberman, Orange Corners, or ADPList are just drops in a very large ocean.
The One Savior Fallacy
Most young professionals chase the idea of a single mentor who will guide their entire career. This is a fantasy. In Nigeria’s reality, the “savior” is either too busy, has left the country, or offers advice that’s irrelevant to a Gen Z economy focused on digital platforms, side hustles, and freedom from toxic work culture. Chasing this model only leads to frustration, heartbreak, and endless “seen” messages.
Micro-Mentorship: The Coffee Break Approach
Instead of a lifelong mentor, adopt micro-mentorship. These are short, focused interactions, often a single meeting or virtual call where you seek specific guidance. Examples include asking for feedback on a project, advice on a pitch deck, or insights on negotiating a raise. Micro-mentorship respects the mentor’s time and gives immediate, actionable value to the mentee. It turns the old “Will you be my mentor?” ask into a practical, time-bound, specific request that busy professionals can say yes to.
Silent Mentors: Learning from People You’ll Never Meet
Mentorship doesn’t always have to be one-on-one. Silent mentors; creators, writers, YouTubers, newsletter authors, and peers can shape your career and mindset at scale. Nigerian Gen Z already uses platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for real-world guidance on resumes, salary negotiation, and career growth. The trick is vetting advice: check credentials, consider the perspective, test what works for your situation, and discard what doesn’t.
Self-Mentorship: Your First Mentor Must Be You
Before reaching out to anyone, start with self-mentorship. Reflect on your experiences, journal your goals, and create a Mentoring Action Plan (MAP). Ask yourself what skills you want to develop, what knowledge you need, and how you’ll measure success. This preparation signals to potential mentors that you are part of the 5% who are self-directed, focused, and ready to act. Ghosting is often a mentor’s way of filtering out those who haven’t done their homework.
Building Your Personal Learning Ecosystem
The ultimate solution is a Personal Learning Ecosystem (PLE), combining three pillars:
- Self-Mentorship: your internal clarity and MAP.
- Silent Mentors: curated content, online creators, and peer networks.
- Micro-Mentors: targeted experts accessed through focused, respectful “micro-asks.”
This ecosystem is resilient. If one mentor ghosts you, your system keeps moving. You’re learning, growing, and staying on track without waiting for a single savior.
The Art of the Micro-Ask
When reaching out, follow these rules: drive the conversation, respect the mentor’s time, keep requests small, and follow up. For example:
Instead of “Will you be my mentor?” try: “Hi [Name], I applied your framework to my project and got X. I’m torn between options A and B. Could I get your 10-minute reaction?”
This shows preparation, respect, and self-direction; the exact signals mentors are looking for.
From Savior to System
The old search for a single mentor is over. For Nigerian Gen Z, success comes from building your own learning system. Be your first mentor, leverage silent guidance, and use micro-mentorship to access expertise. The power is back in your hands. Your growth no longer depends on a busy executive, it depends on you.
For more stories, visit our website and follow us @Insidesuccessng for more updates and info. Subscribe to ISN for exclusive content, expert-led events, job opportunities, and more.
Leave a Reply