Digital Nomads: Alma Asinobi learned to build mobility by confronting her own immobility

Alma Asinobi's eyes still light up when she recounts the moment reality set in: the profession she'd prepared for would not fund the life she wanted to live. It was late 2020, and she'd just finished her master's degree in architecture from Covenant University, Ota, in Southwestern Nigeria. The math was simple yet brutal: if she stayed in the profession and stretched a Nigerian junior architect's salary, she'd never be able to travel the way she wanted. The modest pay in the architecture industry was a harsh truth, with junior architects in Lagos earning between ₦124,000 and ₦208,000 ($299$502 at the official exchange rate at the time) monthly, according to Glassdoor data from July 2022.

Asinobi had been quietly building other skills, though. She managed a blog, ran a small thrift business, and learned how communities formed around social media. Her diverse set of skills was not just a hobby; it was a deliberate choice. "My entire career in tech started not because I studied anything in marketing," she said. "It was just me putting out these skills I already had." She applied for a content writing role at an investment management startup, Cowrywise, in late 2020, but it was her writing that caught the attention of a human resources manager, who offered her a content marketing strategist role.

But the real shift that defined her next five years came in 2020, on a weekend road trip to Benin Republic that she said cost her ₦45,500 ($121.62, using the exchange rate as of March 2020). It was an escape with two friends, and only a few days before the COVID-19 pandemic locked the world down. Asinobi documented all the trip entailed, and pulled it all together into an ebook and put it up for pre-order while she was still traveling. By the time she returned to Lagos, the pre-order sales had exceeded what she'd spent on the entire trip. "I realised that there was a gap," she said. "Many people wanted the information, but not enough people were sharing it."

During the lockdown, when travel was not possible, Asinobi shared what she was learning about the creator economy. When the world reopened, she traveled to Senegal in November 2021, deliberately flooding her feeds with stories of her experiences. Asinobi's journey illustrates the growing trend of digital nomads who are leveraging their skills to build a life of mobility and freedom. Her story serves as a reminder that it's never too late to explore new paths and create a life that aligns with one's passions.

• 2020: Completed master's degree in architecture from Covenant University, Ota
• 2020: Applied for content writing role at Cowrywise and was offered a content marketing strategist role
• 2020: Took a weekend road trip to Benin Republic and documented the experience in an ebook
• 2021: Travelled to Senegal and shared her experiences on social media

As I reflect on Asinobi's journey, it's clear that her path was not without its challenges. However, she has emerged as evidence of the power of adaptability and the importance of following one's passions. As the creator economy continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how individuals like Asinobi will shape work and travel in the years to come.

Now, Asinobi is on a mission to inspire others to take control of their lives and build a life of mobility and freedom. Her story is a reminder that it's never too late to start anew and create a life that truly reflects one's values and passions.