Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has reflected on the major decision that changed the direction of her life and ultimately led her toward a successful career in music.
The Grammy-winning Nigerian artiste revealed that after graduating with a degree in Economics, she initially followed what she described as the conventional “robot plan” — getting a job, being responsible and pursuing the kind of career path many young people are encouraged to follow after leaving university.
However, despite doing what was expected of her, Tems said she eventually realized that she did not want to spend the next decade of her life doing something that did not truly fulfil her.
Her decision to walk away from the conventional career path and pursue music became one of the most important turning points in her life.
Tems recalls life after university
Before becoming one of Africa’s most internationally recognized music stars, Tems had to make a decision that many young graduates can relate to.
After completing her university education and obtaining a degree in Economics, she entered the working world.
At that stage, the conventional expectation appeared straightforward: graduate from university, secure employment, build a career, earn money and gradually establish financial independence.
Tems followed that path for a while.
She described herself as being a “good girl” and following the expected plan. But while everything appeared to be moving in the direction society considered successful, she began questioning whether that was actually the life she wanted.
According to the singer, she looked ahead and realized she did not want to continue along the same path for another ten years.
That realization forced her to reconsider what she really wanted from life.
For many young people, the transition from university to employment can come with significant pressure.
Graduates are often encouraged to prioritize stability, accept available opportunities and postpone personal ambitions until they have achieved financial security.
Tems’ story presents a different perspective.
Rather than allowing the conventional career path to determine her future indefinitely, she decided to take her passion for music seriously.
Choosing passion over the conventional path
Tems’ decision is particularly significant because studying Economics could have led her toward an entirely different professional career.
Economics is a broad field that can open doors in banking, finance, consulting, government, business, research and several other industries.
For a young graduate, obtaining a job after studying such a course can easily appear to be the logical next step.
Tems, however, began to recognize that having a degree and having a conventional job did not necessarily mean she was pursuing the life she wanted.
Her experience highlights a question many graduates eventually confront:
“What do I actually want to spend my life doing?”
For Tems, the answer increasingly became music.
The decision was not simply about abandoning responsibility.
Instead, it was about recognizing that a secure or conventional career was not necessarily the same thing as a fulfilling career.
The singer’s reflection also shows that career decisions are not always straightforward.
People can spend years preparing for one profession before discovering that their strongest passion lies somewhere completely different.
From Economics graduate to global music star
Tems’ transformation from Economics graduate to internationally celebrated musician has become one of the most remarkable stories in contemporary African music.
She began establishing herself in Nigeria’s music scene through her distinctive sound and artistic identity.
Her music eventually attracted attention beyond Nigeria, and collaborations with major international artistes helped expose her work to a much wider audience.
One of the major moments in her rise came through her collaboration with Wizkid on “Essence.”
The song became a major international success and introduced Tems to audiences around the world.
Her contribution to the track helped elevate her profile considerably.
What followed was a rapid expansion of her international career.
Tems went on to collaborate with some of the biggest names in global music while continuing to develop her own artistic identity.
Her career eventually reached one of its biggest milestones when she won a Grammy Award.
For someone who had once been working a conventional job after studying Economics, the achievement represented an extraordinary change in direction.
The importance of recognizing when something is not right
One of the most interesting aspects of Tems’ story is that she did not necessarily begin with a guarantee that music would make her successful.
When someone leaves a stable job to pursue an artistic career, there is naturally uncertainty involved.
Unlike conventional employment, creative careers can be unpredictable.
There may be periods without income, limited opportunities, rejection and uncertainty about what the future will look like.
Yet Tems’ reflection suggests that remaining in a career she did not want simply because it was considered safe was also not the answer.
Her decision came from recognizing that she did not want to look back years later and wonder why she had never tried to pursue the thing she truly cared about.
That realization can be particularly powerful for young graduates.
A university degree can provide valuable knowledge and opportunities, but it does not necessarily dictate the career someone must pursue for the rest of their life.
“The robot plan”
Tems’ use of the phrase “robot plan” has attracted attention because it describes a familiar pattern of life.
The traditional formula can be summarized simply:
Go to school.
Graduate.
Get a job.
Work for years.
Earn money.
Build a career.
Retire.
For many people, that structure provides stability and direction.
But Tems’ comment suggests that she began questioning whether following that formula automatically meant she was living according to her own ambitions.
The phrase also reflects a broader conversation among young people about career choices, purpose and personal fulfilment.
Many young graduates are increasingly asking whether success should be measured only by having a conventional job or whether it should also involve pursuing work that aligns with their talents and interests.
Tems’ story offers one example of someone who chose the latter.
Her story is not an argument against education
Although Tems changed career direction after earning her Economics degree, her story should not necessarily be interpreted as an argument against university education.
Her degree remains part of her personal journey.
University can provide more than professional qualifications. It can develop critical thinking, discipline, communication skills, social networks and exposure to different ideas.
The important lesson from Tems’ experience may instead be that education does not have to determine the exact direction of a person’s entire life.
A person can study Economics and become a musician.
Someone can study Engineering and become an entrepreneur.
Another person can study Medicine and eventually work in technology.
People can discover new interests and talents at different stages of their lives.
Tems’ journey demonstrates that a person’s academic background does not necessarily place a permanent limit on their ambitions.
Why the decision was difficult
Leaving a conventional job to pursue music would not have been an easy decision.
Music is one of the most competitive creative industries in the world.
Thousands of aspiring musicians dream of becoming successful, but only a small percentage achieve significant commercial or international recognition.
For that reason, choosing music as a full-time career can involve considerable uncertainty.
There is also social pressure.
Family members may prefer a graduate to maintain stable employment.
Friends may question why someone would abandon a professional job.
People may worry about financial security.
There can also be fear of failure.
These pressures can make it difficult for someone to choose an unconventional path.
Tems nevertheless decided to take the risk.
Discovering a different definition of success
Traditional definitions of success often emphasize salary, job titles and professional status.
But Tems’ experience raises another possibility: success can also involve doing something that feels meaningful to the individual.
For her, music eventually became more than a hobby.
It became a career and a form of creative expression.
Her subsequent achievements demonstrate how dramatically a person’s life can change when they discover an area in which their talent and passion intersect.
However, it is important to recognize that not every person who leaves a conventional career will become a global superstar.
Tems’ outcome is exceptional.
The broader lesson is not that everyone should quit their job and become a musician.
Instead, her story illustrates the importance of carefully examining whether one’s career aligns with one’s long-term goals.
The pressure young graduates face
Tems’ comments resonate with many young graduates because the transition from university into adulthood can be challenging.
After years of education, graduates are often expected to immediately know what they want to do.
But discovering a career direction can take time.
Some people know from childhood what profession they want.
Others discover their interests while studying.
Some only figure it out after entering the workforce.
There is no single timeline that works for everyone.
A graduate can get a job and later discover a different passion.
Someone can spend years in one profession before changing careers.
Another person may combine several interests rather than choosing only one.
Tems’ story illustrates the possibility of changing direction when circumstances and personal ambitions change.
From employee to entrepreneur of her own talent
There is another important dimension to Tems’ story.
Pursuing music meant becoming responsible for building her own artistic career.
Instead of simply working within an established organization, she had to develop her identity as an artiste.
That involves songwriting, recording, performances, collaborations, branding, business decisions and navigating the entertainment industry.
Success in music requires much more than simply having a good voice.
Artists must understand their audience, work with producers and other creatives, manage professional relationships and maintain a distinctive identity.
Tems’ growth as an artiste demonstrates how a creative career can evolve into a complex professional enterprise.
Her music became a global platform
As Tems’ career progressed, her music began reaching listeners far beyond Nigeria.
Her distinctive vocals and alternative approach to Afrobeats and R&B helped her establish a recognizable identity.
International collaborations further expanded her reach.
Rather than being known solely as a Nigerian artiste, she gradually became part of the global conversation surrounding African music.
Her international recognition also contributed to the increasing visibility of Nigerian and African artistes on the global stage.
This broader impact is one reason her career story continues to attract attention.
The significance of her Grammy achievement
Winning a Grammy became one of the clearest symbols of how far Tems had travelled from her earlier career.
The award represented international recognition at one of the world’s most prominent music institutions.
For an artiste who once had a conventional job after university, the achievement was a major milestone.
It also demonstrated that choosing a less conventional path can sometimes produce extraordinary outcomes.
However, behind such achievements are years of creative development, persistence and professional growth.
The public often sees the awards and major performances, but the journey to those moments can involve considerable uncertainty.
Tems’ message to people questioning their path
Although her experience is unique, Tems’ reflection can speak to anyone who feels trapped between what they are expected to do and what they genuinely want to pursue.
Her story encourages people to examine their goals honestly.
That does not necessarily mean making impulsive decisions.
A person considering a career change may need to research the industry, develop relevant skills, save money and create a realistic transition plan.
But fear should not automatically prevent someone from exploring a different direction.
For some people, the right answer may be to remain in their current career.
For others, it may be to build a side project.
For someone else, it could mean returning to school or learning an entirely new skill.
The key is understanding that there can be more than one route to a fulfilling career.
Why Tems’ Economics degree still matters
It is also worth noting that an Economics background can provide useful knowledge for someone working in the entertainment industry.
Music is not only an artistic field; it is also a business.
Artists deal with contracts, royalties, negotiations, budgets, investments, intellectual property and financial planning.
An understanding of economics and business can therefore be valuable.
Tems’ educational background and creative career do not necessarily have to be viewed as completely unrelated.
Instead, different experiences can become useful in unexpected ways.
A university degree may provide knowledge that becomes valuable years later, even if someone does not work directly in the profession associated with that degree.
A reminder that careers can change
One of the strongest lessons from Tems’ story is that career paths do not always have to be linear.
People often feel pressure to make one decision at 18, 20 or 25 and then remain on that path forever.
Real life is rarely that simple.
Interests change.
Opportunities appear.
People discover new abilities.
Circumstances evolve.
A person who starts in one profession can eventually move into another.
Changing direction does not necessarily mean that the earlier years were wasted.
Everything learned along the way can contribute to the next chapter.
The courage to ask difficult questions
Tems’ decision appears to have started with a simple but powerful question: Did she really want to continue doing the same thing for the next ten years?
That question forced her to think beyond immediate stability.
Instead of focusing only on what was happening at that moment, she considered the future she was creating for herself.
That kind of reflection can be valuable for anyone making a major career decision.
Where will this path take me?
Will I still want this life several years from now?
What kind of work makes me feel fulfilled?
What skills do I want to develop?
What would I regret not trying?
These questions do not guarantee the right answer, but they can help people make more intentional decisions.
Tems’ journey continues
Today, Tems is recognized as one of the leading Nigerian artistes of her generation.
Her journey from university graduate to employee and eventually global music star is a reminder that successful careers can emerge from unexpected decisions.
The singer’s story also reflects the changing nature of the modern workplace.
Young people increasingly have access to digital platforms that allow them to develop careers outside traditional structures.
Musicians can distribute music globally.
Writers can build online publications.
Developers can work remotely.
Creators can build audiences directly.
Entrepreneurs can launch businesses with comparatively small teams.
These possibilities have made unconventional careers more accessible than they were for previous generations, although they remain challenging.
What young people can learn from Tems
There are several lessons that can be drawn from Tems’ experience.
1. A degree does not define your entire life
Studying a particular subject does not mean you must remain in that field forever.
Education can become a foundation rather than a cage.
2. Stability and fulfilment are different
A job can provide financial stability while still leaving someone wondering whether they are doing what they truly want.
Both financial security and personal fulfilment matter.
3. Career changes require courage
Changing direction can be uncomfortable, particularly when other people have expectations about what you should do.
4. Talent needs development
Passion alone is not enough.
Anyone pursuing a creative career must be willing to learn, practice and improve.
5. Success takes time
Tems’ international achievements did not happen overnight.
Her rise involved years of musical development and professional opportunities.
6. Do not compare your timeline with someone else’s
Tems’ success should inspire rather than create unrealistic expectations.
Not everyone will become a Grammy-winning artiste.
Success looks different for different people.
The bigger conversation around purpose
Tems’ statement ultimately contributes to a much larger conversation about purpose.
Many people spend years doing what they believe they are supposed to do without stopping to ask whether their lives reflect their own values.
That does not mean conventional employment is bad.
For millions of people, traditional careers provide meaningful and rewarding lives.
The issue is personal alignment.
A person should understand why they are pursuing a particular path rather than simply following it because everyone else is doing the same thing.
For Tems, music eventually became the answer.
From following the plan to creating her own
The phrase “robot plan” captures the central theme of Tems’ reflection.
She had followed a recognizable sequence: education, graduation and employment.
But eventually she decided that she wanted to create her own path.
That decision changed everything.
Her experience demonstrates that sometimes the most important career decision is not choosing between two job titles.
It is deciding whether to continue following an established path or deliberately create a different one.
Tems chose the latter.
Final thoughts
Tems’ journey from studying Economics and taking a conventional job to becoming an internationally acclaimed musician is a story about choice, uncertainty and self-discovery.
Her reflection shows that life after university does not always unfold according to the plan people initially imagine.
For some graduates, the first job will become a lifelong career.
For others, it will simply be the beginning of a journey that eventually leads somewhere completely different.
Tems chose to listen to the feeling that she wanted something more aligned with her passion.
The decision carried uncertainty, but it eventually led her into a career that transformed her life and established her as one of Nigeria’s most successful contemporary music exports.
Her story is therefore not simply about leaving a job for music.
It is about recognizing when the life you are building may not be the life you want to continue living and having the courage to reconsider your direction.
For young graduates standing at the beginning of their own careers, that may be the most important lesson in Tems’ story: there is more than one way to build a successful life.
And sometimes, the path that looks unconventional at the beginning can eventually become the path that feels most authentic.
“After I graduated with a degree in Economics, I got a job. I was being a good girl and following the robot plan but I told myself, ‘I don’t want to be doing this for the next 10 years” — Singer Tems pic.twitter.com/wPTIrs2Dby
— Just9ja.com (@just9jaofficial) August 30, 2026
“After I graduated with a degree in Economics, I got a job. I was being a good girl and following the robot plan but I told myself, ‘I don’t want to be doing this for the next 10 years” — Singer Tems
