In the first part of this article1, we covered tactical approaches to salary negotiation that five tech professionals used to maximise their earning potential. But successful money management in tech careers requires more than good negotiation skills. It also requires strategic thinking about timing, career arcs, and value creation over years, not months.
In this second part, we explore how five other professionals approach the bigger picture: building careers that consistently pay well over time, making smart transitions, and balancing survival needs with long-term financial safety.
The reality check of expectations
Ucha Azuh, Product Marketing Manager at PressOne Africa, learned early that financial growth does not always meet expectations in Nigeria’s economy. “Back in university, I thought earning ₦100k would be enough. I started on ₦50k and later moved up to ₦150k, which felt like a big leap at the time. But once I got there, I realised it was still too small.”
Even with significant salary increases, economic realities shift the goalpost. “Back when I earned ₦150k, I was happier, but now I have to think of alternative ways to make money, exploring passive income streams and finding places to invest my money. It’s a constant hustle.”
This led to strategic career pivots. Ucha left digital media primarily because the compensation wasn’t sufficient, inspired by seeing others advance in tech careers. When she received a tech offer, the company even allowed her to set her own salary.
Click to signupLiving in Lagos amplifies these pressures. “You need money to have any form of relief. If you don’t have someone bankrolling you, you have to constantly make moves to earn more at every opportunity you get.”
The marathon perspective
Benjamin Dada, Founder of Condia, offers a contrarian view in a culture that often prioritises quick wins.
“A career is a marathon. The excitement of being young, combined with the pressures around you, can make you forget that,” he explains. “In a marathon, you can start fast and burn out, or you can build momentum steadily and press harder later.”
Benjamin learned this through experience, admitting he left a role too soon while chasing more money and impact. “On the surface, it worked, but in the long run, consistent growth would have served me better.”
His advice centres on decoupling self-worth from organisational pay scales. “Stop tying your value to what an organisation pays you. When I was an intern, I earned next to nothing, but the work I did there became my strongest story in a Google interview.”
Companies pay based on their capacity, not always on your worth. This means focusing on building compelling stories of impact and outcomes rather than just collecting paychecks.
“Give yourself grace and stay grounded enough to play the marathon game,” he says.
The value-first approach
Aderonke Akinbola, Technical Program Manager at Google, takes a skills-first approach to career growth. While she acknowledges wanting to earn more, her focus remains on building capabilities that naturally lead to better compensation.
“My main focus has always been on growing my skills. For instance, I’m planning to pursue an MBA soon to gain the management expertise that so many companies look for,” she explains.
Her philosophy is straightforward: “I believe money follows value, so if you invest in building your skills, the earning potential will naturally follow.”
This approach requires patience and strategic thinking about which skills to develop. Aderonke invests in expensive upskilling opportunities because she views them as direct investments in future earning potential.
Similarly, Obasola Akintola, Senior Brand Designer at Cowrywise, maintains an aggressive learning budget. “When it comes to courses, I’ll always pay for knowledge, no matter the cost, especially if it’s worth it.”
He prioritises structured courses from industry leaders over free alternatives, viewing career development as non-negotiable.
From survival mode to strategic thinking
Gift Arku, Marketing Associate at Smile ID, had to balance immediate financial needs with long-term career strategy after facing significant personal challenges. She found herself making decisions from a place of necessity rather than choice.
“I had to take what was available, even when it wasn’t the best fit. That kind of pressure influences your career in ways you don’t always realise in the moment,” she reflects.
Despite working with people who treated her poorly and taking less-than-ideal opportunities, Gift maintained focus on building credibility through resources, blogging, and networking. The experience taught her that while money matters for survival, having a sense of direction sustains long-term career satisfaction.
“Tech was once the obvious path to better earnings, and I was determined to get into the room where people were making millions and more. But while money mattered, I also knew it wouldn’t be the thing that sustained me long-term. I’m purpose-driven.”
Today, she feels aligned between her work and her goals. She’s discovered that fulfilment often matters more than maximising short-term earnings.
The framework for long-term success
- Play the long game, even under pressure: Benjamin’s marathon mindset and Gift’s survival-to-strategy evolution show that maintaining focus on skill building and purpose creates better outcomes over time, even when immediate pressures push toward short-term optimisation.
- Expect your financial needs to evolve: Ucha’s experience shows that reaching one financial goal often reveals new challenges. Building multiple income streams and planning for lifestyle inflation becomes crucial as careers advance.
- Invest in yourself: Both Aderonke and Obasola prioritise skill development over immediate salary maximisation, understanding that capabilities compound while job titles can disappear.
Money will always be part of career equations. The question is not whether to care about compensation; it’s whether you’ll approach these decisions strategically or leave them to chance.
