Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of “You just got here—how are you already in the room?” Some say it with admiration. Others with suspicion. I understand both.
To be fair, it does look fast. A few years ago, I wasn’t visible in the startup world. Now I’m sitting in rooms, running LAN, co-hosting investor sessions, and getting calls from people I used to follow quietly on LinkedIn
But here’s the truth: this isn’t magic It’s not luck either It’s just what happens when you understand how the system works and move with sense
Because like it or not, the startup ecosystem—especially in Nigeria—is a layered, relationship-driven world And yes, gatekeeping is real
Let’s Talk About It: Gatekeeping Is Real
I know people don’t like the word. It sounds negative. Elitist. But let’s call it what it is: Gatekeeping is the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) way ecosystems protect access, maintain hierarchy, and filter who gets to do what
In the startup world, it shows up like this:
- “We only take warm intros.”
- “We’re not investing right now.” (But they just closed a round with someone else last week)
- “You’re too early for us.” (Translation: we don’t know who you are)
- Or worst: silence. No feedback. Just vibes and blue ticks
Sometimes it’s personal. But more often, it’s structural
People protect their time. Investors lean on familiar networks. Founders support people they’ve known for years. There’s a code—and not everyone gets handed the cheat sheet
Now, before you get upset, let me say something clearly: not all gatekeeping is malicious. Sometimes it’s just muscle memory People trust who they know. And in a space filled with noise, filters become survival tools
But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless
Respect the Structure
Let’s also be clear: there were people in this game long before us OGs. Builders. Investors who were writing cheques when naira was still ₦160 to the dollar People who stood in the gap, made the mistakes, and paved the way
You don’t walk into that kind of ecosystem and expect to be handed a mic on day one
That’s not gatekeeping. That’s seniority. That’s how community works—especially in African societies
In our culture, you don’t sit at the front of the elders’ meeting without being invited You serve palmwine first You greet properly You wait your turn. But you don’t stay at the back forever either. You study. You build. You contribute. And eventually, they call you forward
So yes—respect the game. But don’t stay silent forever. Learn the map.
Everybody is Iyinoluwa Aboyeji’s “Egbon” . I introduced Dele Badejo to Kola Aina at the Cascador Nigeria Alumni Pitch event the other day… and Kola was so respectful to Uncle D, and it was super evident why he is an enigma in the game
From Garage Boy to Chairman
If you’ve lived in Lagos, you would have an idea of how NURTW works My favourite uncle was once a garage boy. God bless those “shandies” & “whites” that augmented my pocket money whilst I was at Yabatech
Nobody is born a chairman. Every chairman once started as a garage boy—the guy collecting ₦50 from danfo drivers and washing the buses But the smart ones? They watched. They learned. They didn’t make noise when it wasn’t their turn. But they built influence. They showed value. One day, someone said, “Make that boy follow us go meeting.”
That’s how power transfers
Same thing in this ecosystem. You might start as the person carrying decks for someone else Or sending intros and getting no replies But if you’re patient, strategic, and valuable—your time will come.
How To Navigate It Without Ruffling Feathers?
Here’s what might work —and I share with them with you because I guess it is working for me:
Study the Landscape
Don’t rush to disrupt what you haven’t studied. Who are the key players? What do they value? How do decisions actually get made? Knowing this is half the battle Prior to joining LAN, I studied everything I could get about the organization. Thankfully, Tomi Davies (TD) never stops sharing. I soaked up all I could on the members of the board, I watched every video i could find that Adeolu Adewumi-Zerhad put out. I did the grunt work.
Show Up Before You Speak Up
Contribute before you complain. Volunteer. Join communities. Help others win 🫱🏽🫲🏽 People remember who claps for them in small rooms—and that opens doors in big ones Gatekeeping gets weaker the more undeniable you become If you build something valuable—traction, reputation, product—people will notice Even if they pretend not to at first
Use Grace as a Strategy
You can be firm without being rude. You can be ambitious without being arrogant Gatekeepers may control access—but influence comes from how you show up, not just where If the main gate won’t open, look for windows 🪟 Build relationships sideways—not just upward Sometimes the person who gives you the intro isn’t the biggest name, but the most respected peer
Don’t Be a Bulldozer—Be Water
You don’t need to force your way in. Be fluid. Be respectful. Keep showing up You’ll be surprised how many people are watching And when the timing is right, one “I’ve been seeing your work” can change everything When you do get in—don’t become the new gatekeeper. Open the door. Create ladders. Be the kind of person you wish you met when you were figuring things out
Final Thoughts
The startup world is not a meritocracy. Not fully. Not yet. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait for permission forever.
Learn the map. Respect the terrain. Then move like someone who belongs—because you do. And if you’ve figured a few paths out, drop the pins. Somebody behind you is still trying to find the road.
