The glimmer of hope that had flickered in Ayo's chest grew stronger over the next few days. It wasn't a sudden epiphany, but a quiet realization that he didn't have to have everything figured out right away. For the first time in months, he allowed himself to breathe, to take things one step at a time.
One of those steps led him to a local entrepreneurship workshop hosted by a nonprofit organization in Lagos. The event was held in a co-working space in Victoria Island, a sleek, modern building that stood in stark contrast to the chaotic streets outside. Ayo had seen the flyer online and decided to attend on a whim, hoping it might help him explore opportunities closer to home.
The room was filled with young Nigerians, their energy palpable as they networked and exchanged ideas. Ayo felt out of place at first, his doubts creeping in, but he reminded himself why he was there. He found a seat near the back and listened as the speakers shared their stories of building businesses in Nigeria despite the challenges.
One speaker, a woman named Adaora, stood out to him. She was the founder of a successful tech startup that provided affordable solar energy solutions to rural communities. Her passion was infectious, and her story resonated deeply with Ayo.
"Many of us dream of leaving Nigeria," Adaora said, her voice steady and confident. "But what if we stayed and built the Nigeria we want to see? What if we became the change we're waiting for?"
Her words struck a chord in Ayo. For so long, he had seen Nigeria as a place to escape from, but Adaora's perspective made him wonder if it could also be a place to build toward.
After the event, Ayo approached Adaora, his heart pounding. "Hi, I'm Ayo," he said, extending his hand. "Your speech was really inspiring. I was wondering… how did you know this was what you wanted to do?"
Adaora smiled warmly. "I didn't, at first. I just knew I wanted to make a difference. The rest came with time, trial, and error. The key is to start somewhere, even if it's small."
Ayo nodded, her words echoing in his mind. Start somewhere.
That evening, Ayo sat at his desk, a blank notebook open in front of him. He stared at the empty pages, unsure of where to begin. Then, slowly, he started writing. He wrote about his skills, his passions, and the problems he saw around him. He wrote about the vibrant culture of Lagos, the resilience of its people, and the untapped potential he had begun to notice.
By the time he finished, the pages were filled with ideas—some half-baked, others more concrete. One idea stood out to him: a platform that connected local artisans with a global market, showcasing the beauty and craftsmanship of Nigerian culture. It was ambitious, but it felt right.
Ayo closed the notebook and leaned back in his chair, a sense of purpose settling over him. It wasn't a fully formed plan, but it was a start.
The next day, Ayo shared his idea with Damilola over lunch. She listened intently, her eyes lighting up as he spoke.
"Ayo, this is amazing," she said when he finished. "It's creative, it's meaningful, and it's something only you could do."
Ayo smiled, her encouragement fueling his confidence. "I don't know if it'll work, but I want to try."
"That's all that matters," Damilola replied. "And you don't have to do it alone. I'll help you however I can."
Her support meant more to him than she could ever know.
As the days turned into weeks, Ayo began to take small steps toward his goal. He reached out to local artisans, attended networking events, and even started sketching designs for the platform. It wasn't easy—there were moments of doubt, setbacks, and sleepless nights—but for the first time in a long time, Ayo felt alive.
He still thought about Jand, but the dream no longer consumed him. Instead, it became a reminder of how far he had come and how much he had grown.
One evening, as he stood on his balcony watching the sun set over Lagos, Ayo felt a sense of peace. The city was still chaotic, still overwhelming, but it was also full of possibility. And for the first time, he felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.