Thriving at work: The power of soft skills in Nigeria’s corporate world
Technical know-how may get you a seat at the table, but adaptability, teamwork, and communication determine how far you’ll go.
The yardsticks of success are changing in Nigeria’s bustling corporate corridors.
Degrees, certifications, and technical know-how may still secure a chance to prove yourself, but what sustains growth, builds influence, and creates real career longevity are the invisible traits we call soft skills.
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Take Chika, a graduate trainee in Lagos. She had the right qualifications and could crunch numbers with ease. But in her first months at work, she struggled, not because she wasn’t competent, but because her blunt emails often came across as rude, she didn’t understand her boss’s work style, and she found it hard to connect with her team.
It was only when she invested in her communication and interpersonal skills that her career took a positive turn.
This is not unique to Chika. Across Nigerian offices, many brilliant employees are held back because they lack the ability to manage relationships, read the room, or even write an email that balances clarity with courtesy. Being likeable, adaptable, and emotionally intelligent often matters as much as delivering excellent work.
Consider Tunde, a mid-level officer in Abuja. Technically, he was one of the best in his unit. But he had a habit of replying to his manager’s emails with one-line answers, even when more context was expected.
His boss interpreted this as arrogance. The truth? Tunde simply didn’t realise that upward communication requires not just brevity, but diplomacy, reassurance, and a demonstration that you understand the bigger picture. Once he learned to frame responses with both detail and respect, his relationship with his boss transformed.
How about Funmi, a young executive on Lagos Island, who thought excelling at her tasks was enough.
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But in Nigeria’s workplace culture, relationships often create opportunities that competence alone cannot. By engaging with colleagues during lunch breaks, attending office functions, and showing genuine interest in others’ work, Funmi became more visible, and doors began to open.
Conflict management is another area where soft skills prove invaluable. Emeka, a project officer in Port Harcourt, once confronted a colleague in front of the team over a missed deadline. While his points were valid, his delivery bruised egos and escalated tensions.
A senior colleague later advised him on handling disagreements privately and offering constructive feedback instead of public criticism. That simple shift earned Emeka greater respect and preserved team cohesion.
Read also:Employers look out for soft skills because they set one apart- LSETF official
The bottom line is this: soft skills are the glue that holds careers together. The ability to draft thoughtful emails, interpret your boss’s unspoken expectations, navigate office politics without manipulation, and build authentic networks often determines who thrives and who remains stuck.
Soft skills are also leadership skills. As professionals climb the ladder, the job becomes less about individual output and more about people management, influence, and trust. Leaders who inspire, communicate clearly, and handle conflict with tact leave stronger legacies than those who only deliver tasks.
“It’s not always the smartest in the room who thrives, but the one who connects, adapts, and inspires.”
At the end of the day, competence may get your foot in the door, but soft skills keep it open. For professionals who want to grow, the challenge is clear: don’t just work on what you know, work on how you show up.
Mary Babatunde is the country HR manager at CS-SUNN and founder of the Corporate-Preneur Initiative
