David sat in front of his laptop, staring at a job listing for a Software Engineer at a Lagos-based fintech startup. He had all the skills they were asking for: Python, React, cloud computing, but still, something held him back.
What if I apply and they find out I’m not as good as I claim?
Despite having completed multiple projects and even freelanced for international clients, David still felt like a fraud. Maybe I just got lucky?
This feeling has a name: Imposter Syndrome, the inner fear that you’re not good enough, that you don’t truly belong, and that someday, someone will find out you’ve been faking it all along.
If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. A recent survey showed that 58% of tech professionals in Nigeria experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers.
But here’s the good news: mentorship can help you silence that voice of doubt and accelerate your career growth.
Why imposter syndrome is so common in tech
Tech is one of the fastest-moving industries in the world. New programming languages, AI advancements, and automation tools emerge almost daily. The pressure to keep up is intense, especially in Nigeria, where access to structured tech education is limited, and many professionals are self-taught.
Common reasons why you may feel like an imposter
- The learning curve is steep – Many Nigerian developers, designers, and data analysts are switching to tech from unrelated fields. It’s easy to feel like everyone else knows more than you do.
- Job competition is fierce – With remote work opportunities and the rise of international hiring, you’re no longer competing just with people in Lagos or Abuja, but with professionals worldwide.
- Tech has no “arrival point” – Unlike some careers where experience directly translates to seniority, tech careers constantly require learning. Even senior engineers sometimes feel outdated when new frameworks emerge.
So, how do you fight the self-doubt? - By having someone in your corner, someone who has been there and made it through.
How mentorship can help you beat imposter syndrome
- A mentor reminds you that you’re not alone
Even the CEO of GitHub, Thomas Dohmke, once struggled with imposter syndrome. Before leading one of the world’s biggest tech platforms, he felt like an outsider transitioning from being a software engineer to an executive.
He doubted whether he was the right person to lead such a massive developer community. But through mentorship from other tech leaders, he learned that leadership isn’t about knowing everything; it’s about building the right teams and continuously learning.
👉 Lesson: Even top executives in tech experience imposter syndrome, but the right guidance can help you overcome it.
- A mentor helps you recognize your strengths
Many tech professionals focus so much on what they don’t know that they forget how much they do know. A mentor helps you see your skills objectively and teaches you how to highlight them during job applications or networking opportunities.
If you’re trying to break into tech and feel like you don’t measure up, ask yourself:
- What projects have I completed?
- What problems have I solved using tech?
- What do my peers often ask me for help with?
Sometimes, we downplay our expertise simply because we don’t have a formal degree in tech. But skills matter more than certificates in the tech industry.
- A mentor connects you to opportunities
One of the best things about mentorship is access to opportunities you wouldn’t have found on your own.
When Zainab, a self-taught data analyst, joined a mentorship program, his mentor introduced him to a recruiter at a major Nigerian startup. That conversation led to a job offer, one he wouldn’t have even known about without his mentor.
A good mentor will:
- Help you refine your CV and LinkedIn profile
- Teach you how to approach job applications strategically
- Introduce you to relevant industry contacts
In tech, who you know can be just as important as what you know.
Finding the right mentor in Nigeria
You might be wondering, Where do I find a mentor?
Here are three ways to start:
- Join a structured mentorship program – Veet’s mentorship program connects aspiring tech professionals with experienced mentors. Sign up today!
- Network at tech meetups and online communities – Attend local events in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt or engage in LinkedIn discussions with professionals in your field.
- Reach out to professionals you admire – A simple LinkedIn message like:
Hi [Mentor’s Name], I admire your work in [Field]. I have been a product designer for [X years] and I’ve worked on X and Y and would love to learn from your experience. Would you be open to a short chat?
Most people are happy to mentor if you approach them the right way!
You deserve to be here, Own it!
If you take one thing away from this post, let it be this: You are not an imposter. You are a work in progress.
Tech is not about knowing everything, it’s about problem-solving, continuous learning, and adapting. A mentor can help you see your growth, recognize your skills, and find the courage to push forward.
So, if you’ve been struggling with imposter syndrome, take action today:
📌 Join Veet’s mentorship program to get matched with experienced professionals.
Click here to sign up!
Your future in tech is waiting. Go for it!
