Hi everyone, please I really need your advice. This might be a long rant, but I’ll appreciate any honest guidance. I’m a 24-year-old girl, turning 25 by September, and honestly, life hasn’t been easy. I finished my ND at The Polytechnic Ibadan in 2024, and since then I’ve been working non-stop just to survive. I come from a family where financial support is very difficult; raising even ₦10k is hard. From ND1 to ND2, it was mostly strangers who helped me with school fees. I don’t blame my family; I know they’re trying their best. Right now, I feel stuck. I don’t know if I should write JAMB again this year and try to start from 100 level, hoping things will be better, or go back for HND. I’ve written JAMB about four times before I eventually got into poly, so the thought of starting over is scary.
But I really want a change in my life this year because things haven’t been easy since I left secondary school in 2019. I’ve tried different businesses—tote bags, men’s wear—but none worked. In 2023, I started a thrift business, but it wasn’t encouraging. Last year, I saved up to ₦130k to start the business again. I used the money to buy clothes, a ring light, packaging nylon, run ads, and even bought a mannequin, which I later had to sell. I restocked several times, but most of the clothes are still at home. I’m really trying, but I don’t even have an iPhone. I always go to a friend’s place just to take pictures and videos of my products. I can’t properly create content with my phone, and my WhatsApp views are very low, sometimes less than 40.
I’ve also tried running ads before, but they didn’t convert. Right now, I have about ₦35k saved, and I’m confused about what to do next. Should I restock again, maybe unisex sweatshirts, or should I invest in learning a skill? Someone offered to teach me Virtual Assistance for ₦35k, but I’m not sure if that’s the right move. I currently earn ₦70k monthly, and my mom and siblings depend on me. I once learned basic data analytics and even got a certificate, but I couldn’t really practice because I don’t have a laptop. Everything feels overwhelming. I really want to go back to school, but my age worries me. I’ve done so many jobs, yet I feel like I don’t have much to show for it. I honestly don’t want 2026 to just pass me by like the other years. I don’t really have anyone I can ask for help, so I’m putting this out here. Any advice, direction, or encouragement would truly mean a lot to me.
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