*Mentorship Not Slavery: Dissecting the "My Boy" Syndrome in African Societies*

In every society, growth and development are built on mentorship. Being someone’s “boy” or protégé should ideally mean being groomed, guided, and supported towards independence—financially, professionally, and in life’s pursuits. A true mentor does not keep you perpetually dependent; rather, he opens doors, gives opportunities, and ensures that the person under his wing eventually stands on his own feet with confidence.

Importantly, real mentorship means that your mentor sees you as part of the next generation—someone who will carry forward and improve upon the legacy he or she has built.

Unfortunately, in many African societies—and particularly in Nigeria—this noble idea of mentorship has been twisted into what is popularly called the “my boy” syndrome. Instead of mentorship, what we often see is exploitation. Many of those who are privileged, wealthy, or politically advantaged think that having a “boy” means having a permanent errand runner, a personal servant, or a loyal follower with no hope of ever growing beyond that role. The sad reality is that, rather than seeing their protégés as potential successors in politics, business, or any other field, such “ogas” (bosses) see them as eternal subordinates whose loyalty is meant to feed their ego and secure their dominance.

This culture of “boy-ism” is destructive. It wastes the energy of young people and kills ambition. Too many youths have spent the prime of their lives serving so-called mentors who never intended to help them rise. If a man you call your oga does not see himself in you—if he cannot imagine you succeeding him, continuing his legacy, or even surpassing him—then he is not your mentor; he is your master. And masters do not raise equals; they raise servants.

True mentorship is measured by the opportunities given. If someone cannot entrust you with responsibility, connect you to growth opportunities, or guide you into a position of independence, then he does not value you beyond servitude. Even blood relationships do not change this truth. If a wealthy uncle, elder brother, or influential relative cannot help you advance, but only keeps you tied to errands and praises, then you must understand that you are not being mentored—you are being enslaved.

Young people must wake up to this reality. Your time, energy, and loyalty are too precious to waste on someone who cannot see a future for you beyond carrying his bag or singing his praises. Mentorship should empower, not enslave. Therefore, choose wisely the people you follow. Align with those who want you to grow, who invest in your potential, and who see you as the continuity of their vision and the next generation of their legacy. Stay away from those who only see you as a tool to serve them forever.

In the end, a true OGA(in African term) is not the one who keeps you as “my boy,” but the one who helps you stand tall as your own man or woman.

Let's grow beyond this maniac of the "my boy" syndrome, it has killed the economical development of Africa and pluge us into dictatorship kind of leadership where the future of the young ones are only determined by the old (the OGAs). The leaders of tomorrow began today with a good mentorship from an intentional mentor..

#Alexdphenom _