My first job didn’t pay very well, I think I earned N35k/month at the start, later moved to N50k/month. But food was subsided at work, I rode to work with my good friend, and lived in the parents BQ, so it was fine.

But I loved my job. It was the most exciting job ever. Constantly being with people who were smarter and more experienced than you was a blessing. I learnt something every day. It was literally being paid for going to school.

So after a year at my job, my boss stopped doing that much research, so he transferred me to work with 3 other people. Another amazing experience. Now I had 3 bosses, all really cool people. One of them decided to teach me economics again.

Anyway one day this boss calls me and says, “I’m about to do something stupid, but I’ve found a job that is perfect for you.” It’s the most selfless thing anyone outside my family has ever done for me.

He gave up his research assistant, without a replacement, because he was asked to recommend someone to head a newly formed research unit for a Nigerian bank. So that’s how I changed job, and earned 4x more than I did before.

Till today, that boss and I still speak pretty much weekly. When he got appointed vice chair of President Buhari’s transition committee, I didn’t hesitate to be his Technical Assistant, almost a decade after I stopped working for him.

When I turned 40 last year, he was the first person at my house. He’s not just a very brilliant economist, he’s also an absolutely amazing person, and I’m proud to call him my friend.

So all that long thread is just to wish my boss and friend, Doyin Salami a very happy birthday. I hope someone does for his children, lots more than he’s done for me.