The Only Thing Wrong with Nepo ‘Baby’ in Nigeria

When Bernard of Chartres, a 12th-century philosopher and educator, first observed that “We are like dwarfs perched on the shoulders of giants. We see more and farther than our predecessors …because we are lifted… on their gigantic stature,” he was, in essence, articulating what we today describe as “Nepo.” Though the term had not yet been coined, the ideology behind it was already taking root. And at that time, it was not considered wrong.

Nepo, derived from the word nepotism, is now colloquially used to describe the advantage or influence enjoyed by children whose parents are affluent, influential, or well-connected. But influence, in itself, is not inherently bad. Far from being objectionable, the idea is affirmed by timeless wisdom and even in scripture: “A good father leaves an inheritance for his children and his children’s children.” That verse encapsulates the expectation that a responsible man ought to build transgenerational legacies, capable of sustaining not just his direct offspring but two generations beyond.

So, again, Nepo is not wrong. It is just that we have different realities, and that is not anyone’s fault. Whatever reality you find yourself in, you only need to pick up the cross and join the train, maybe to rewrite it or blend with the trend.

And frankly, it is puzzling that some people still harbour resentment towards Nepo. This resentment may be rooted in personal disadvantage, but it is not necessarily a matter of moral clarity. The fact remains that Nepo reflects a fundamental truth about life. The truth that mirrors how the world works. This truth has patterns, and as a student of history, I can confidently trace them if this space permits.

To mention a few, Bernard’s remark in the 12th century is echoed centuries later in Sir Isaac Newton’s famous declaration: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Notably, this iconic statement by Bernard, which was echoed by Newton, was also known thanks to John of Salisbury’s Metalogicon. So as John rode on Bernard’s Nepo, Newton did John’s work, and the trend flows down to us.

Newton, of course, stood on the intellectual foundations laid by the great minds before him. These brains were scientists, philosophers, and thinkers who blazed trails and questioned norms. Without their groundwork, he might still have reached the heights he did, but perhaps not in the same timeframe that would make his name become a household lexicon.

William Shakespeare also enjoyed Nepo. Some literary critics, of whom I am one, believe he intelligently culled works of Plutarch, added some flavours, and became a superstar.

Was it not the same thing Bill Gates did with Tim Peterson’s QDOS? Back in the 1980s, the young Gates had his Mother’s Nepo, but that was not enough to get him to build Microsoft. Even though he had the idea, he thrived on the laid foundations of Peterson, who was already decades ahead of him and had Microsoft today. The rest of the story is well captured in “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell and “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel.

However, the gist is that Nepo, in this context, is about leveraging. It is about condensing a hundred years of struggle into a single day or a single hour. It fast-tracks one’s journey by eliminating unnecessary detours. If you come from a wealthy family, it’s your leverage; use it. Just as Nigeria’s Afrobeat musician, Davido, once said, “It was his birthright to fly his father’s private jet.” He was not lying or bragging.

And if you come from a humble background, it’s also your Nepo; use it.

By this logic, it is essential to understand that Nepo is not inherently bad. After all, no reasonable person reading this, having attained wealth, would refuse to pass something down to their children. Even Bill Gates, whose net worth hovers around $117 billion, intends to give about one per cent of it to his children while donating the rest to charity. And that one per cent is still sufficient for them to build their empires, should they possess the discipline and foresight, remaining Nepo for their success.

As someone who grew up in modest circumstances, I understand this contrast deeply. Life is not a level playing field. But if Nepo is simply about enjoying the influence of one’s parents, then perhaps those of us not born into privilege should still be able to access Nepo, just by a different route. Through hard work. Through discipline. Through sheer tenacity and unflinching focus.

But the problem with Nepo in Nigeria, and indeed, across much of the world, can be summarised in twofold: the unwillingness to utilise one’s Nepo and the abuse of Nepo.

The latter begins when public office holders prioritise family members or close associates for government opportunities, at the expense of the wider public who genuinely need them. In such cases, nepotism is elevated above merit. And so, despite holding credible academic qualifications or outstanding professional credentials, you may still be denied what you rightfully deserve, simply because you do not belong to the circle of privilege.

This form of Nepo is flawed because what the government manages is not personal property. The government exists for the public benefit, not private gain. Its resources and opportunities belong to the collective, not to a bloodline.

This is why former President Muhammadu Buhari (late) was sharply criticised during his first tenure for allegedly appointing an overwhelming number of his relatives to strategic government positions, often at the expense of the broader national interest.

However, let it be known: for people like us, whose parents were not Nepo, life already begins with a 1–0 disadvantage. As a result, you cannot afford to fail to utilise your naturally given Nepo. You must fight, not with fists, but with grit. You must earn what you deserve and chase what you desire. This fight will bring you into contact with books, mentors, people, setbacks, and experiences that will all serve as stepping stones. They will form the shoulders you will eventually climb onto to reach your dreams.

And in that moment, when you begin to see further than you ever imagined, you too will understand what it means to ride on the shoulders of giants. And that is your Nepo! So, is there anyone who still lacks Nepo?

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