A Nigerian man has gone viral after sharing how he made a life-changing decision to skip the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program to focus on acquiring a valuable tech skill instead.
Now, just two years later, he has successfully built a thriving career as a remote marketing specialist, earning a remarkable N2 million monthly.
The young man, identified as @TechnicalBben, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to reflect on his bold choice, revealing that bypassing the mandatory national service was, in hindsight, one of the best decisions of his life.
He explained that at the time, he was financially struggling and couldn’t afford to spend a year participating in the program. Instead, he dedicated himself to learning a high-income skill that ultimately transformed his future.
Despite facing skepticism from those who believed that securing a well-paying job without an NYSC certificate would be impossible, he remained focused on his goal. His determination and hard work paid off, and today, he enjoys financial stability and career success.
Sharing his journey, he wrote:
“I skipped NYSC because I was broke and refused to risk my life for a country that didn’t value mine. I learned tech instead. People said I wouldn’t get a job without the cert; now I make ₦2M monthly as a remote marketing specialist. All within 2 years. Best decision ever.”
Netizens Reactions…
His post quickly gained traction, sparking widespread discussion among Nigerians on social media. Many users shared their thoughts on his decision, with some applauding his foresight, while others debated the long-term implications of skipping NYSC.
@parody51180 said: “I’ve said this multiple times. Learn a high-paying skill and in two years you’ll land yourself a dream job here in the US or any other developed country in the world. I’m glad someone is testifying to this first-hand. I have lots of Nigerian friends, and I can boldly say Nigerians are very talented and hardworking.”
@IfunanyaNkemdi2 said: “I really don’t know the benefits accrued to an NYSC certificate, but I feel one should just do it and get it over with. It’s better to have the certificate and not need it than to need it and not have it. Just my 2 cents, though.”
@Elchukx said: “I have a very similar story… I skipped NYSC for two reasons. First, I consider it an absolute waste of 1 year of one’s life. Secondly, I had to choose between it and a one-year data science accelerator program. It was the easiest choice to make. That training landed me my first tech job.”
His story has inspired many, especially young Nigerians looking to build a career outside the traditional path. While some believe NYSC still holds value, others see his success as proof that self-investment and skill acquisition can lead to financial independence and career growth.
See his post below;
