Zainab Aderounmu 
Have you heard the maxim, ‘Your network is your net worth’? I’m sure you have because it’s very popular and possibly because it’s also true. The Yoruba would also say, ‘Eniyan laso mi’, which means people are my clothing. This emphasises the importance of forging and nurturing valuable relationships. You really never know what door a new person you meet can open for you.
One of the fastest ways to nurture a relationship is by offering value without expecting anything in return. Think of it like depositing in a bank – someday, you may need to make a withdrawal.
But where do you draw the line between giving value and earning from the value you offer? Especially when the said value is your means of livelihood?
Young people often find themselves in situations where they’re expected to offer a level of labour completely for free, to build relevant skills, experiences and relationships. That is completely valid.
What is invalid is gaslighting young people into offering their already made skills, expertise and labour, completely for free or at a meagre amount, ‘just because they are young’, which in society’s parlance means ‘they shouldn’t need money’.
“Don’t put money first. You don’t know what the relationship might bear,” or ‘we’ll put you on our platform’, we often hear. Let’s be honest: exposure doesn’t pay rent. And clout doesn’t cover bills.
This is the age where adulting hits; bills pile, self-development costs money, self-care isn’t free, and if you add black tax to the mix, the expectation of unpaid labour becomes not only unrealistic, but also harmful.
By asking young people to “keep paying their dues” without compensation, they risk missing out on potential income that could be invested in further education or becoming reliant on others for financial support, which delays independence and self-sufficiency.
They stay financially unstable, unable to meet basic needs and become conditioned to undervalue themselves. On a deeper level, it widens the youth-pay gap.
Take Adenike, my friend, for example. She regrets volunteering to teach at a local school a year after her NYSC. She described the experience as hellish. Aside from having to work after school hours on many days, she was also made to do more than she bargained for. Cleaning, on some occasions, and market runs, on others. Meanwhile, she never once got paid or appreciated for her work.
Money is a symbolic representation of power, and society puts up many walls to make it difficult to discuss it openly. Speaking up often earns you labels like greedy or materialistic. Silence makes it worse.
Relationships should be built on authenticity and value exchange, but society has a responsibility to teach young people how to value themselves appropriately.
Dear young person, avoid sliding in anybody’s DM for ‘urgent 2k’. It reduces your steeze, especially in this age filled with countless opportunities. Learn what you need to learn, volunteer and serve; they’ll help you grow. Strategically build relationships, offer value and show that you’re valuable to have on board. As actor, Tobi Bakre once said, ‘Be service-oriented’.
But know when to uphold your dignity, and avoid sacrificing your talents on the altar of a “platform”. Before venturing into any opportunity, ask yourself: Will I learn something new here? Will it connect me with the right people? Does this align with my long-term goals? Can I afford to do this unpaid? Do I love doing this? It might be a global platform with countless other opportunities attached. Weigh the situation and decide what works for you.
Ultimately, never forget, you are the platform.
Zainab ADEROUNMU A. W. is a First Class graduate of English Language and the Overall Best Graduating Student from the Lagos State University, Lagos Nigeria. She’s a professional Master of Ceremonies, known as The Hijabi Compere , a public speaking coach and Communications Professional. She is currently a Youth advisor to the European Union where she doubles as the Spokesperson and Head of Communications & PR for the Youth Sounding Board.