‘To Drink Water for This Country Na by Connection’: The real talk behind the slang

A popular Nigerian slang, "To drink water for this country na by connection," reflects a familiar frustration that access to even basic necessities can depend on who one knows. The saying is often delivered with laughter, but beneath the humour lies a serious conversation about the role of connections in business and professional life. The piece argues that the conversation should focus not on rejecting connection but on redefining its purpose, so that it serves as a bridge to opportunity rather than a shortcut around merit. Relationships, it notes, have always been an important part of business and professional life.

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