The Missing Link in Modern Mentorship: Practical Skills Over Prayers Alone
Many years ago, just after I finished secondary school and gained admission into the university, I attended JAMB lessons. There, we were advised to learn how to use a computer before the exam so we could navigate it with ease.
I decided to try a mock exam at a cybercafé in my area, and that day, I realized I actually loved pressing the computer. Excited, I went home and told my mum that after JAMB lessons, I wanted to learn how to operate one.
At first, she wasn’t interested. She had already enrolled me in a tailor’s shop. I stayed there for a while, but I barely learned anything because most of the time I was sent on errands or doing house chores. Even during lessons, the woman mostly taught in her native language (Yoruba), which I didn’t understand well. What I picked up wasn’t tailoring but washing clothes and enduring the insults she hurled at students who hadn’t completed their payments. Eventually, I stopped going.
So, when I mentioned computers, my mum brushed it off as another unserious idea. I didn’t bring it up again until one day, while helping her run errands, we stopped at a POS shop. As the man was attending to my mum, I noticed a girl working on a laptop. I was so focused on her that the man asked if I wanted to learn. I laughed it off, but deep down, I did.
The man explained to my mum how useful computer knowledge would be since I was heading to university. Somehow, he convinced her, and after discussing with my dad, they agreed. Training was only ₦10,000 for three months. I started immediately, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. I learned a lot within that short time, and my boss even advised me to go further. Unfortunately, my mum didn’t see the value and refused additional training.
Fast forward to 2017, I finally gained admission and resumed at the university. It was my first time living alone, away from supervision. During my clearance, I joined a fellowship and met a brother who was the president at the time. He was deeply spiritual he prayed fervently, preached powerfully, and led us in midnight prayers. Naturally, I was drawn to him and made him my mentor.
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Since he also worked as a computer operator, I shared my interest and skills with him, hoping to learn more. But while he guided me strongly in prayer, Bible study, and spiritual matters, he never once encouraged me to build on my computer skills.
At home, things weren’t easy either. My family wasn’t rich, and my parents were old-fashioned. They rarely gave pocket money, believing that providing foodstuffs was enough. So, I looked for ways to support myself. I mentioned this to my mentor, and he started giving me editing jobs. But no matter the work, he only paid me ₦500. I kept telling him I could do more and begged him to show me other opportunities, but he always brushed it off with another spiritual message.
Years later, I still had the passion, so I started writing seminar papers for my course mates using my uncle’s laptop, even though his shop was far. I thought about renting my own shop but lacked the funds and confidence. Then I discovered that students could partner with existing shop owners, working under a profit-sharing agreement.
That was when it hit me that I had wasted years I could have used to grow my craft. By now, I might have been one of those teaching online classes or running my own business, but I didn’t have anyone to guide me.
Dear mentors and spiritual leaders, it’s wonderful to guide people in the ways of the Lord, but mentorship should not stop at spirituality.
Look at their lives, identify their talents, and help them grow in practical areas too. It’s not enough to teach people how to pray, fast, and study the Word; they also need guidance on how to thrive in the real world.
A true mentor supports both spiritual and practical growth.
Because at the end of the day, it will be a beautiful thing if students and young people who once looked up to their mentors can look back years later grateful, fulfilled, and happy that they made the decision to sit under such a person.
That is the true legacy of mentorship.
