Saying Yes When Everything in Me Wanted to Say No

I never thought one decision would change the entire trajectory of my career.

My first big entry into the multinational world started in Senegal. My world expanded overnight. I was surrounded by brilliant people from all walks of life, different ways of thinking, and new perspectives not just on work, but on life.

Joining such a structured, global environment made me feel that my ambition had no limits. I loved it. It gave me a sense of ownership I had never experienced before. That was P&G. And the best part? I was still living close to my family, working in the P&G Senegal office.

But less than one year after joining, everything changed. The Senegal office closed, and I was told I had to move to Nigeria.

At that time, Nigeria was not on my list of dream destinations. It felt messy, noisy, and unstructured to me. I couldn’t understand how people combined so many foods on one plate. My choice was clear: stay in security with family in Dakar, or stretch myself into the unknown.

I said yes.

It was one of the hardest moves I’ve ever made, culture, environment, and work all changed overnight, with no family support. Some of my colleagues said no, and I can’t blame them.

But looking back, that yes opened more doors than I could have ever imagined. It made me rare in a pool where few dared to go. It built resilience. It taught me that hustle can be a positive word, that working hard and wanting more isn’t shameful.

‍

Lessons I carry with me:

• Growth often happens in discomfort but enjoy the ride, and take what’s good from each phase.
• Every decision carries risk; you can’t know the full outcome in the present moment. What matters is giving your best so that whatever outcome comes, it becomes the best one for you.
• Saying yes when others say no can make you stand out in ways you don’t immediately see.

That one decision shaped my path as a leader and a change maker.

‍

‍