- Adulthood can sneak up on you like an unexpected guest, showing up when you are getting comfortable in the carefree world of childhood
- It brings along with it a mix of challenges, responsibilities and unexpected lessons you are usually not prepared for
- 17 Nigerians share their thoughts on what they wish they knew before adulthood
As children, many of us dreamt about the freedom and power that comes with being an adult. We imagine a life where we make our own rules, buy whatever we want, eat countless numbers of meats and do anything without needing permission.
It’s a world where curfews don't exist, and ice cream can be breakfast. The fantasy of adulthood is often painted with endless possibilities and control. But as we grow older, reality hits hard. The excitement of freedom is quickly replaced by the weight of responsibilities. Bills, work deadlines, and societal expectations take centre stage, and the carefree life we once imagined fades into a memory.
Many adults find themselves reminiscing about the simpler days of childhood, wondering why they ever rushed to grow up. The harsh truth is that adulthood is more complex and demanding than we ever anticipated.
To get a sense of what Nigerians have experienced on their journey to adulthood, we asked people the question: What is the one thing you wish you knew before you became an adult? The responses were a mix of wisdom, regret, and humour. The lessons they shared reflect the realities of modern adulthood in Nigeria, a country where societal pressures, economic challenges, and cultural expectations play a significant role in shaping lives.
17 Nigerians speak on what they wish they knew before adulthood
"I wish I knew how expensive life is. Everything costs money. Stepping out for 10 minutes equals a debit alert.” - Adenike
"Nobody told me adulthood would come with so much emotional stress." - Ifeoma
"I wish someone explained how important it is to save money early, or at least my parents saved for me, I wish they knew that before they had me." - Joy
"I didn’t realise I’d be responsible for not just myself but also family members. The billing can be overwhelming." - Sadiat
“Adulthood isn’t the big relief I thought it would be.” - Abdulrahman
"Adult friendships are harder to maintain than I thought. Too much work." - Abidemi
"I wish I knew that finding a job isn’t as easy as studying hard in school." - Kazeem
"Being an adult means making tough decisions every day, I wasn’t ready for that." - Gbenga
"The freedom I craved as a child comes with the burden of responsibilities I wasn’t prepared for. I wish I knew adulthood meant juggling multiple responsibilities at once, work, bills, relationships, and family. It feels like there’s never enough time or energy to get everything done" - Femi
"I wish I knew that happiness doesn't automatically come with success." - Emeka
"I didn't expect that I'd have to deal with constant pressure to conform to societal expectations and managing finances is one of the hardest things I’ve had to learn." - Victor
"I wish I knew that failure is a part of the process and it's okay not to have everything figured out." - Peter
"Adulthood can be lonely, even when you're surrounded by people. Nobody ever told me how lonely adulthood could be. Friends drift apart, life gets busier, and making new connections becomes harder when everyone is focused on their own survival.” - Segun
"I wish I knew that bills don’t wait and you always need a backup plan or a side hustle. Dreams won’t pay the bills." - Chinwe
"Nobody prepared me for how much adulting requires you to adapt to constant change." - Bayo
“I wish I knew that life doesn’t always go according to plan. The setbacks, the disappointments, and detours." - Tunde
“I really wish someone told me to enjoy my childhood, live each day like it’s my last, and not be obsessed with adulthood and what freedom might come with it.” - Damaris
8 tips to survive fuel scarcity in Nigeria
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported on tips to survive the impact of fuel scarcity in Nigeria.
Tips like Ride sharing, planning your movement, exploring alternative power sources, and working from home are tricks you can employ to survive the incessant fuel scarcity in Nigeria.