UgoFor most people, staying at home and doing nothing after the National youth service is a painful experience
They are disheartened because they had big dreams going into the university. But reality hits differently. This is Nigeria after all.
There are no jobs, no money and a lot of problems to solve. What is more crippling is that there often seems to be no end in sight.
If you feel this kind of sense of despair, chances are you are spiraling down into depression. Post NYSC depression.
That is why I am writing this article- To show you how others have pulled themselves out of this depressive state and to let you know that you can do the same.
About Post NYSC depression
‘Post NYSC depression’ is a term young Nigerians use to describe the state of despair many people feel when they inevitably face the harsh realities of the Nigerian labour market.
It is not a medical term per se. No doctor is going to diagnose you with PND but they might just diagnose you with depression.
PND is real and very significant.
What makes it even more dangerous is that it gets no serious attention and often goes unnoticed.
But notice it or not, PND is not without consequences.
For one it can lead to poor decisions born out of desperation, pressure and bad judgment. This is the parent of other ills such as;
- Crime
- Self harm
- Poor career choices
- Poor choices in marriage
- Health challenges.
Why do people get depressed after NYSC?
Unemployment in Nigeria has been on the steady rise over the past 2 decades with little or no relief. Poverty has also followed a similar trend.
What this means is that after getting a university education, getting a good job is very difficult for the average graduate.
But that is not the only reason for Post NYSC depression. Another reason is that many people do not expect the kind of challenges they eventually face. They tend to underestimate what it takes to actually succeed in Nigeria and then they hit a wall.
What aggravates this is that after NYSC, young graduates have new responsibilities to face on their own. There are now bills to pay, new goals to achieve and new hurdles to face.
And it all feels sudden to most people.
How other graduates are thriving after NYSC
Is it possible to thrive in Nigeria after NYSC?
The short answer is yes.
It would take some grit but there are young people who continue to prove that this is possible
I would go over some of such examples
1. A young Nigerian graduate started his business with his first NYSC allowance
If you have saved some many from your youth service then this might inspire you. A young man, Sunday Oloyede, started a fabric printing business with his allawee
For many young people, the NYSC allowance is barely enough to live comfortably but for some others it is just enough to help them get started.
When asked what motivated him to start his business, he said “The overwhelming rate of unemployment in the country motivated me to start up a business of my own. Also, my love and passion for fashion contributed to it”
2. Young Lady was contacted by various firms after carrying a placard requesting for a job
A young lady who was tired of being unemployed decided to take a risk. She stepped out with a placard asking for a job.
She was surprised with the result. Companies overwhelmed her with emails.
Her story is inspiring.
3. A Nigerian man who graduated with a third class gets a good job after being mentored during his NYSC
Graduating with a third class can seem like a death sentence but it shouldn’t.
The story of a young third class graduate who got a good job after being mentored shows the power of mentorship.
If you feel like a failure because of poor grades, you shouldn’t. With proper mentorship and a positive attitude, anything is possible
4. A double degree holder finds success in farming
Eke William Chibuzor, a business graduate, finally found success in farming despite being discouraged by family and friends initially.
What makes this story inspiring is that Eke had been trained in a different field from where he found his success.
You mustn’t work in the field you studied in school to find success.
5. Nigerian graduate who rides Okada to survive becomes a car owner
This story shows the value of taking a pragmatic approach to life. A graduate who failed to get a good job after several attempts started riding okada to make ends meet.
One day his story went viral after an interview with gistlover. He now owns a car, thanks to the support he received.
There is hope.
How to overcome POST NYSC depression
After going over these stories one thing is clear. It is possible to thrive in Nigeria without being from a rich background or strong family connections.
All it takes is often just grit, hardwork, a positive mindset and a stroke of luck.
However, there are steps you can take to overcome the feeling of despair and sadness you might face due to joblessness.
1. Get Busy
You don’t have to wait for a good job offer or a large amount of capital to invest before you start working towards your dreams.
If you don’t have enough working experience, get some through internships and volunteering opportunities.
Apply for post-graduate scholarships if you intend to further your education or get an apprenticeship if your goal is to start a business.
Just get busy.
2. Don’t be ashamed to start small
Dream big but start small. This might sound cliche but it is so true.
One thing that hinders many graduates in Nigeria from pursuing their dreams is the stigma associated with menial jobs such as farming, plumbing or other low paying jobs like part teaching.
Young graduates often feel that these jobs are embarrassing but there are several people who have taken advantage of such opportunities to save up money to pursue bigger goals.
3. Connect with friends
Sustaining relationships built during your service year and university days can help you beat depression.
Friends provide encouragement, support and valuable information that can empower anyone to handle their challenges better.
4. Read books
Books are an effective way to learn from other people’s experiences. It is like getting mentorship from people you may have never met before.
You can get inspired, gain a new vision, make good plans and good decisions simply by reading great books.
However, all books are not made equal. Frankly some books are just a waste of your time.
Before reading any book, try to discover the author’s achievements and qualifications. For example I wouldn’t read a book about wealth written by someone who made his wealth selling books about wealth.
5. Stay healthy
Eat properly and keep fit. A lot of jobs require employees to be physically fit. You need to stay healthy.
There is so much information on the internet today about healthy habits but it all boils down to getting good sleep, doing moderate exercise and eating right.
Clinical depression is actually an illness that needs medical attention. If you find yourself exhibiting any of the symptoms associated with depression you need to consult a medical doctor.
6. Don’t write yourself off
One big mistake many young people have made after NYSC is jumping to wrong conclusions.
Generalizations like “there are no good jobs in Nigeria”, “the economy is bad” etc should be avoided.
You should make some effort to pursue your dream job or start that business. Don’t throw in the towel too early. You might just regret it.
7. Get a mentor
Mentorship can make a whole lot of difference in a young person’s life. Mentors can provide guidance, advice , encouragement and even resources that can help mentees achieve their goals.
Get mentored by someone who is successful in the area you wish to succeed at. It can make all the difference in the world for you.
8. Learn how to plan effectively
Planning is an important part of achieving success. That is why developing the skills needed to plan creatively is so crucial.
You do this by becoming more knowledgeable about the career you want to pursue. Get busy reading books about your field.
9. Decide on where to live
This is something a lot of young graduates in Nigeria don’t think about and it is sad. You mustn’t live in your state of origin after serving your fatherland.
Find a place that gives you economic advantage in terms of affordability, job or business opportunity and live there. I also advise you to consider the security situation of wherever you want to live.
10. Take risks
After coming up with a plan, it is time to take action. Apply for that job even when there is no opening.
Offer to work for free if you can. It is a nice way to gain some experience.
11. Build good habits
Habits play a strong role in shaping our future. Bad habits can ruin your health and put you in a downward spiral to failure.
Just remember that what you do each day would sum up to who you would become at the end of the day. So, start your days with a positive to do list and stay active day in, day out.
12. Learn new skills
Skill acquisition has helped countless young people in Nigeria to escape poverty. Acquiring new skills can improve your employability and even enable you to set up a thriving business in Nigeria.
However, the skill you learn should align with your natural passion and interests. It shouldn’t only be about making money.
Conclusion
Post NYSC depression can be overcome by taking positive steps towards achieving your goals. This article has revealed many ways you can do this.
I hope you have found this insightful. Feel free to leave a comment and share with friends
Ugo
Timeyin Mammah
