If You Can’t Get a Job, Why Not Create One?
When life shuts a door, why not build another one — and paint it your favorite color while you’re at it? This isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a mindset. If you’re struggling to land a job, maybe it’s time to embrace the bold idea of creating one instead.
Ask anyone who knows me from social media, and they’ll probably say I’m all about personal and professional growth. Whether it’s my training sessions on AI, my blog posts on IT and career tips, or my musings about travel and education, the theme is always self-improvement. What many don’t know, though, is that I’m also a certified Business Development Service Provider (BDSP) — or, as we say in my local parlance, a “Likitan Sana’a” (a “business doctor”). Think of me as the entrepreneurial counterpart to the spirited leader of the ‘Yan Buga Buga, Badamasi Aliyu Abdullahi, who champions the “Dogaro Dakai” movement.
And yet, my decision to become a BDSP wasn’t just about personal growth — it was about impact. I wanted to empower others and spark a shift in mindset among our youth — from job seekers to job creators. Too often, young people cling to the hope of government jobs, while the vast opportunities for building impactful businesses remain untapped.
This brings me to a harsh reality I’ve seen firsthand: many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in my community are struggling. Some have stagnated for decades, with their operators ageing in place without evolving. Others, despite offering essential services, have closed shop entirely. The reasons for these failures are strikingly similar — poor differentiation, weak marketing, lack of vision, and substandard customer service. Beneath these symptoms lies a deeper issue: a widespread absence of entrepreneurial thinking.
But the challenge isn’t limited to existing businesses; it starts with our young graduates. The perennial excuse I hear is, “I don’t have the funds to start a business.” Yet when I press for details — what business? how much money? — many falter. This lack of clarity and vision inspired me to launch a workshop I call Da Magani A Gonar Yaro — loosely translated as “Unlocking Possibilities.” The program is designed to encourage participants to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets. Through dynamic breakout sessions, we start with one fundamental question: “What’s an idea you can use to earn a living without spending a dime?”
It’s a question that reveals just how deeply ingrained the mindset of “I can’t” really is. Time and again, I encounter young people who are stuck in the same loop of job applications and rejections, unable to see the opportunities around them. Just today, I reconnected with someone I met three years ago during their national service. After exchanging pleasantries, I asked, “How’s Jos treating you?” They replied, “I’m actually in Abuja now, trying to find a job.” Three years after finishing service, still job-hunting. So I asked, “If you can’t get a job, why not create one?” Predictably, they answered, “I don’t have the funds to start a business.”
It’s this familiar response that prompted me to begin this three-part blog series: If You Can’t Get a Job, Why Not Create One? In this series, I’ll explore practical ways for recent graduates to combine job hunting with entrepreneurship. The first installment will dive into strategies for starting small, dreaming big, and making it happen.
So, stay tuned — it might just be the nudge you need to change your life! And remember, sometimes the best opportunities aren’t found; they’re made.
