About 30

By Baba Voss · February 28, 2026

What is the big deal about turning 30? I really don't get it...isn't it just a number?

I clearly remember how I felt turning 20. I was on top of the world. Lol, literally I was. Somewhere on a hill 12 hours north of home, being called "Otondo" up and down, and suffering to get water just to bathe at NYSC camp. But damn, I still felt good. I was somewhat of a big boy at camp, so that night was lit! Mami market was a vibe. It was six months post-uni; I already had a good 100k+ paying job, which was sort of a big deal in the early 2010s. There was money, so I went to camp loaded.

Interesting times at camp, but let's leave that story for another day. Let's get back to these almost 30 talk.

I turn 30 in a couple of days and, truly, I am not sure how to feel. I am not sure if I am excited about it, anxious, having pre-30 blues, or whatever feelings of such exist. One feeling I am sure of is "Gratitude". Grateful for the lessons, blessings, and definitely all the flexing 😄. We really rocked these 20s though. I will save that gist for you guys later. Loads of stories!

Remember, I was one of the biggest boys at NYSC camp? Well, 10 years later, I'm not sure I still am. I remember 2 of my 20s goals back in uni being to make Forbes' 30 under 30 list and start a family at 28. That Forbes 30 under 30 part, well, I really don't know about that, but the family part 🙂....amazing!

I have a beautiful wife and an amazing angelic baby girl now. So, you know for sure, the bills are a little heavier. However, like I always tell my guys, marriage and children definitely come with blessings. Isn't it a miracle that less than a month before both my wedding and baby, I got significant salary raises? I hear this is the same for a lot of my big bros. As the money increases though, the bills are piling up too. I have savings, for sure, but not as much as I may have had before starting a family.

As I enter my 30s, one thing is certain: I need to get my bread up! I clearly understand now that financial freedom isn't so much about savings. Although discipline comes in handy, it is more important to earn more, especially through crazy inflation. Having multiple streams of income, equity, and ownership is key! Also, learn as much as possible. Do lots of training, get certifications, build things from scratch, try to discover yourself. Self-discovery never stops, but there is more freedom and fewer responsibilities in your 20s to explore.

Through it all, it really has been a blessed '20s.

One more thing before I sign out. Forget the number, I am still a baby boy! And I am definitely going to rock these 30s well.

All the lessons and experiences of my 20s have set me up for an amazing experience in my 30s. I BELIEVE.

Singing out,

Baba Voss.