There’s a loud war raging on Nigerian Twitter (abi X), group chats, and office corners — it’s a huge beef between Nepo babies and Lapo babies. And in typical Nigerian fashion, the discourse is anything but boring. Social media, the ever-present town square of our digital age, has become the battleground for this debate.
If you’ve ever scrolled through a tweet like:
“Let’s be honest, some of you are only where you are because of your daddy’s long leg!”
Or a snarky clapback like:
“Sorry you had to struggle. That’s not my fault.”
Then, congratulations! You’ve witnessed the battle. But let’s go deeper, shall we?
Who’s a Nepo Baby?
Nepo Baby (short for nepotism baby): That’s basically someone whose family name or connections are like a VIP pass to life’s party. You know, someone who got a head start in life or career because of their family’s name, wealth, influence or connections. These are children of prominent politicians landing yummy deals and government positions, or offspring of business moguls taking over empires without having to lift a finger. Think: daddy owns the company, so landing that sweet gig isn’t a bit of a struggle. Doors just kinda…open. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
Enter Lapo Baby
Lapo Baby (a newer coinage): These are the legends who are grinding from scratch. They’re clocking in, learning the ropes, making mistakes, and then getting back up to win. Every single win is earned, not given. These are the ones who rose from struggle, built from scratch, and probably have the “I came from nothing” story on standby. The term was coined from LAPO – a microfinance that helps the average Nigerian access financial loans. This individual’s story is one of overcoming obstacles, navigating bureaucracy, and earning every single achievement through sweat and toil.
Team Nepo OR Team Lapo?
Now that you know the difference between the two, who are you? Team Nepo or Team Lapo?
Anyhoo, whether you’re cruising in with a VIP pass or building your own ladder from the ground up, one thing’s for sure: you gotta stay sharp. Like, super sharp. Your skills are your superpower, and if they’re rusty, it doesn’t matter who your daddy is or how much you’ve hustled. This is where we need to pause the online dragging and face the real gist: lasting success in Nigeria — and beyond — require way more than just your backstory.
Are You a Nepo Baby? Here’s Why You Still Need to Level Up
- Access may open doors, but skill keeps you in the room: Yeah, the door opened, but can you actually do the job? People watch. If you’re just there because of who you know, everyone will eventually know you’re just there because of who you know. The “It’s because of their uncle” energy will always hang around you. Prove it wrong with competence. One day, people stop caring about who gave you a shot and start focusing on what you bring to the table. Skills make you legit, not just linked.
- Staying Globally Relevant is the Goal: Industries are moving at light speed. What’s hot today is old news tomorrow. If you don’t keep learning, you’ll be left in the dust, no matter how big your family name is. Remember that the world is a global village, and work these days could mean you’re no longer competing with just Nigeria or even Africa, you’re competing globally. People are counting on you to rep the Naija flag well.
- Real Respect is Earned: You want people to respect your ideas and your leadership, not just your last name. That “street cred” comes from knowing your stuff, delivering solid results, and proving you’re good at what you do. It’s about earning your place through competence, not just through connections. Ultimately, your skills are what truly speak for you. They build your reputation, show your capability, and ensure that your contributions are valued because of their substance, not just your status.
- Flex Your Own Muscles: Having a strong network is definitely cool, but imagine building your own empire, or absolutely crushing it in your field just because you’re amazing at what you do. That’s a totally different, much deeper kind of win. It’s about showing what you can accomplish, not just who you know. When you flex your own skills, you’re not just riding on what someone else has built; you’re creating your own legacy. This allows you to stand out as an individual, opening doors to opportunities that are purely based on your talent and hard work, giving you a powerful sense of personal achievement.
And If You’re a Lapo Crew Member, Here’s Why You Must Stay Skilled Up (Duh!)
- Skills are your Secret Weapons: In a world where connections often get people through the door, skills are what help you stay in the room and shine. While others may be leaning on who they know, your mastery, your confidence, and your results can speak louder than any surname or soft life story. Your story is valid, but skills make it valuable. Nobody’s giving medals for who suffered the most. They reward results. That’s the real unfair advantage: being so good they can’t ignore you. Sharpening your skills gives you leverage that can’t be faked. It puts you in control — not your background, not your network, YOU.
- Fast Lane to the Top: Hard work will always matter, but today, smart work changes the game. Learning new skills doesn’t just make you better, it makes you faster. It helps you skip unnecessary detours, spot better opportunities, and rise through the ranks with intention, not just effort. Skills don’t just help you play the game, they help you win it.
- Closing the Gap: Don’t have powerful connections or a big-name mentor? It’s not the end of the road. Building top-tier skills can bridge that gap and even turn the tide in your favor. When you’re truly good at what you do, your work starts to speak for you, louder than any referral ever could. That’s the kind of power that shifts tables. Instead of chasing opportunities, they start finding you. You become the person people want on their team, not because of who you know, but because of what you bring to the table.
- Future-Proofing Your Career: The job market is constantly changing — with new tech, shifting trends, and roles that didn’t even exist five years ago. To stay relevant, you can’t afford to stay stagnant. Continuous learning keeps you ahead of the curve and ready for whatever the future throws your way. When you build a habit of upskilling, you become adaptable — the kind of person companies fight to keep, not let go. It’s like career insurance: the more you grow, the harder it is to replace you. In a world of uncertainty, staying sharp is how you stay secure.
So…What’s the Way Forward?
Soft life gang or a bona fide kpako? The only real edge is growth. Your last name may get you in. Your struggle may toughen your skin.
Banana Island bred or Bariga bred, you must learn, unlearn, and relearn to stay relevant because what makes you stand out is your growth, your voice, and your value. So, whether you’re a Nepo baby with pressure to prove yourself, or a Lapo baby trying to break the cycle — own your value, gain clarity in your career direction, and show up confidently in the rooms you enter.
Visit goverticul.io to learn the real-world skills companies and clients care about, because you deserve a shot at greatness — not just because you’re well-connected or overworked.
No be who born you, na wetin you do with your journey!
Adedolapo Lawal