Philip obin was a technical assistant to the former vice president of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo and now Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River state on digital Economy at web 3.

Obin expresses his opinion and options on his facebook page on monday on how to escape poverty in Nigeria, which he describe as hard but not impossible.

Obin listed and explained further stating the practical,and no-fluff guides:

1. Change Your Mindset and stop blaming the government alone. Yes, Nigeria has problems, but your mindset is your greatest poverty or wealth.

He also added on his post that people need to change their
“Overdependence on parents, relatives, government, or politicians is one of the quickest roads to poverty in Nigeria. Wake up, brace up, and take full responsibility for your life, your destiny is in your hands, not theirs.”
Poverty won’t disappear overnight. Stay focused, think long-term and be consistent.

2. Learn a High-Income Skill
Examples he stated incudes : Digital marketing, tech (coding, UI/UX, data analysis), video editing, graphic design, sales, copywriting.
Learning online, many free/cheap resources exist (YouTube, Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare). Keep improving. Don’t be average.

3. Tap Into the Global Economy
Nigeria is tough, but the internet gives access to foreign clients and opportunities.
Sign up on freelancing platforms like:Upwork,Fiverr,Toptal,Remote OK
Start with small jobs, build reputation, earn in $$ or €€.

4. Start a Small Business
Sell food, clothes, hair, gadgets, POS services, or even airtime/data. Use social media to reach more customers (WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook).
Don’t wait to get a shop — start small from home or online.

5. Learn Financial Discipline
Track your income and expenses. Cut wasteful spending (parties, betting, impulse buying).
Save and reinvest profits, not just enjoy them.

6. Network With People Going Somewhere
Poverty loves isolation. Wealth loves connection.
Join communities: church groups, business clubs, tech hubs.
Learn from mentors, not just your age mates.

7. Use Your Smartphone Wisely, Stop wasting time on gossip, celebrity gist, and trends.Use that phone to make money: sell something, learn something, do remote work, post your hustle.

8. Stay Away From Fast Money Traps
Avoid Ponzi schemes, Yahoo, fake crypto sites, and betting addiction. Real wealth is slow, steady, and skill-based.

9. Trust God, But Work Like It Depends On You
Pray, yes. But don’t use prayer as an excuse for laziness.
“Faith without work is dead.” Combine both.

10. Give Back As You Grow
Help others rise too — teach what you know, support your family, empower your community.Generosity attracts blessings and opportunities.

Finally, Escaping poverty is not luck, it’s a daily decision to hustle smart, and not just hard. The earlier you start, the better, philip said.