Sometimes I wonder how the youth in western countries survive. This is not to talk about basic needs, their government already work on that for them. Imagine you’re scrolling through a feed where someone from your class group just bought a Tesla and another launched a “luxury” peanut butter brand. The caption: “Manifested it. Grind till blessed.” Or „ God did“  I know we say comparison is the theft of joy but we’re also only human and on God, that would be my 13th reason why. You laugh, then sigh. Because here’s the question that keeps poking you between your ribs and conscience: Can you really chase your dreams without selling your soul in instalments? Or in modern-day Africa, is that a naïve moral flex in a world that’s loud, hungry and allergic to patience?

The economic deck feels stacked. Millions of young people enter Africa’s workforce every year, far more than the formal jobs available. So you either hustle, create or post a convincing version of having “arrived to the dream.” According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), youth unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa sits at around 8.9% and a huge chunk of young people work in insecure, informal jobs. So yes, sometimes it’s not that someone wants to “soft life” their way to glory, the system is just not hiring fast enough.

So what do you do? You could cling to the 9–5 like it’s your grandma’s old Bible, hope the system rewards loyalty and pray that your degree will open doors. Or you could become an entrepreneur overnight, sell online courses, model “authentic” content and wear wealth like a costume.

I think the truth is messier. Formal employment still matters for stability and protections, but informality and the gig economy are where many young Africans are finding income and sometimes ethical potholes. A Brookings Institution report shows how the gig economy is booming across Africa, offering opportunities but also leaving young workers vulnerable to instability and lack of protections. The literal translation is that person you see living the “soft life” might be one gig away from financial disaster.

And then there’s the big question. Does your degree still count? Honestly? Yes but with an asterisk. Your degree is still currency but not the only currency. In a landscape where nepotism, connections and algorithms often matter as much as merit, the paper alone doesn’t guarantee the corner office anymore. It can help you get through the entrance security check but sometimes, someone’s cousin is already sitting in your seat.

Now let’s talk about the morals part which i think is the spicy one. Are your values limiting you? Maybe. But more often, they’re what keep you from becoming a headline in the “How Not to Be Human” section of the news. If your morals stop you from stepping on people, lying on contracts or amplifying harm for clout then, my dear, they’re not limiting you but rather protecting you. Which at some point is hypocritical to say especially if you’ve never been pushed to the edge. But also if your morals are performative, like humblebragging about fasting from “toxic ambition” while secretly bending the rules when convenient ,that’s not morality. That’s PR. And trust me, this generation can smell fake virtue faster than a boda rider spotting a pothole.

The problem isn’t that people lack values. It’s that the world rewards shamelessness louder. When someone scams their way to a luxury car, people call them “smart.” When someone quietly works a 9–5, pays their bills and refuses to steal, people call them “not serious.” We live in a time where you cannot shame the shameless. They’ve built entire influencer careers out of audacity.

So where does that leave us?

Do we keep our morals and move like snails in a race with cheetahs? Or do we throw them out and join the stampede of “shameless winners”?

Clearly there’s no neat ending here. I’m not here to say “Stay true and everything will work out,” because sometimes it won’t , not immediately anyway. But I also can’t say “Sell your soul,” because then what’s the point of the bag if it costs you you?

Maybe the real question isn’t just about faith vs. ambition, but about redefining what making it looks like. Is it the house? The money? The clout? Or is it peace of mind and a conscience that still lets you sleep at night?

I don’t know. But I do know this , the next time someone says “you can’t shame the shameless,” I’ll nod and smile. But deep down, I’ll be asking: Is shamelessness really the only way to win?

And if it is… do I still want to play?