“If I could do it from Biochemistry and without insider connections, you can too.”
Jaymes
The Graduate Who Refused to Give Up
Listen, I came across Jaymes’ story yesterday and it completely changed my perspective. Why? Because this professional just shattered everything we believe about “making it” in Nigeria.
You know how people always say “Nigeria doesn’t work”? “You need connections to succeed”? “The only way is to JAPA”?
Well, Jaymes from UNILAG just proved all of us wrong. Moreover, the interesting part? He didn’t even use the degree he studied for.
I’ll analyze the full story from Medium . By the time I’m done, you’ll understand that the problem isn’t Nigeria. Instead, the problem is how we approach and deal with career issues.
From First Class Honors to Unemployment
- Jaymes graduated from UNILAG with 4.48 CGPA in Biochemistry. First class honors. Brilliant student.
However, you know what happened? He couldn’t find an Intern placement. Why? Because according to the system, “connections were more important than skill.”
Can you imagine the frustration? You study hard, earn first class honors, but because you lack industry connections, nobody offers you internship opportunities. Classic Nigerian story, right?
Now, most people in this situation would just complain. They’d play victim. “Nigeria is broken.” “The system doesn’t work.” “I need to relocate abroad.”
But Jaymes? He thought differently. Instead of complaining that the system was broken, he asked himself one simple question:
“If the traditional path isn’t working, what can I do differently?”
That question changed everything. Furthermore, the soft skill he used to answer it? Pure, strategic ADAPTABILITY.
From Biochemistry to $10M in Seven Years
This is the part that will surprise you.
Over the last seven years, Jaymes has worked with over 20 companies across three continents. Africa. North America. Europe. All from Lagos. He never relocated.
Moreover, he has generated over $10 million in qualified leads. $10 MILLION. From Nigeria. Using skills that UNILAG never taught him.
Wait, let me break it down for you:
- He didn’t use his Biochemistry degree
- He didn’t have insider connections
- He didn’t travel abroad
- He didn’t wait for a government job
So what did he do? He adapted. Quickly.
Instead of forcing a Biochemistry career that wasn’t working, he pivoted to digital marketing and go-to-market strategy, taught himself and built his portfolio. He positioned himself online. Then, he started working remotely with international companies.
The beautiful part? He accomplished all this from his bedroom in Lagos suburbs.
The Adaptability Framework That Actually Works
At CareerPaddy, we’ve analyzed Jaymes’ story carefully. We’ve identified the exact adaptability framework that made him succeed. Additionally, you can use this same framework wherever you are.
- Stop Forcing the Degree Path
- Learn What the Global Market Actually Needs
- Position Yourself Online
- Target International Remote Roles
Why Most Nigerian Graduates Struggle
Let me tell you the truth that might sting a little.
The reason many Nigerian graduates struggle isn’t because “Nigeria doesn’t work.” It’s because we don’t adapt to how work actually functions now.
We’re still doing things the 1995 way in 2025:
- Print CV, drop it for a company
- Apply for 100 jobs online, pray for one reply
- Wait for connections to help us
- Complain that the system is broken when it doesn’t work
Meanwhile, people like Jaymes have changed strategies. They’ve adapted to the new reality:
- Position yourself online where recruiters are looking
- Build portfolios that demonstrate you can do the work
- Target international remote opportunities
- Use soft skills to stand out from the crowd
The people who adapt quickly are the ones succeeding now. Therefore, the ones who remain rigid, who still wait for traditional paths to work, they’ll keep waiting.
Your Adaptability Challenge This Week
Okay, let’s bring this closer to you. After hearing Jaymes’ story, what will you do differently this week?
I have a challenge for you, something that you might have been hearing constantly:
Monday: Update your LinkedIn profile. Make it sharp. Add your skills, showcase your work, write a better summary.
Tuesday-Wednesday: Identify one high-demand skill in your industry that you lack. Start learning it for free online. Don’t wait for your company to send you for training.
Thursday-Friday: Start positioning yourself online. Write one post about what you know. Comment on industry conversations. Let people see that you know what you’re talking about.
Weekend: Apply for five international remote roles. Even if you feel you’re not ready, just try. You’ll surprise yourself.
Sounds too simple? But that’s how Jaymes started. Small steps. Consistent action. Look where he is today.
The CareerPaddy Takeaway
Jaymes’ story resonates because it shows that all those excuses we give ourselves—most of them are false.
“I don’t have connections”—Jaymes lacked connections too. He adapted.
“The Nigerian system is broken”—Jaymes faced the same system. He pivoted.
“I need to relocate first”—Jaymes never traveled. He earns dollars from Nigeria.
“My degree isn’t relevant”—Jaymes’ Biochemistry degree was useless for his career. He still succeeded.
The only difference between Jaymes and someone still struggling is ADAPTABILITY. His ability to see that the traditional path wasn’t working and pivot quickly to what does work.
You can do the same. The question is: Are you ready to stop complaining and start adapting?
Your degree might not help you. Your connections might not exist. The system might be broken. However, if you’re smart, if you can adapt, if you’re willing to learn new things and position yourself well, you’ll succeed. Right here in Nigeria or anywhere
Jaymes has shown us the way. The rest is up to you.
Ready to develop the adaptability skills that will transform your career like Jaymes? Visit CareerPaddy.com for our complete Adaptability Framework. Additionally, get practical tools for repositioning yourself and targeting international opportunities from Nigeria.
Your global career without relocation starts now! 🚀
Tell us: What’s stopping you from adapting like Jaymes?
