Why One Should Never Work for Friends or Family - Ebuka Obi-Uchendu

Nigerian media personality, television host, lawyer, and presenter Ebuka Obi-Uchendu is one of the most popular and prolific faces and names in Nigeria today. Ebuka juggles a lot of things and has been working in the media space now for 17 years. So, when The Will Downtown got the chance to have an interview with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, they asked him some really good questions such as how he juggles all his work and also what he thinks about working for family and friends. Here is what Ebuka Obi-Uchendu said.

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"You look like you would have made an outstanding lawyer. Your show, Judging Matters, shows that side of you. Why did you ditch the profession?"

EBUKA OBI-UCHENUDU: Well, television happened by chance. I was fresh out of law school, got on a reality show, and everyone kept saying I sounded and looked like I was made for TV.

The plan was to get my master’s degree right after the show and go full-on into private practice. But I decided to explore the media industry when the TV talk wouldn’t stop. It turns out it wasn’t such a bad call after all because I eventually fell in love with TV presenting. And the pay wasn’t too bad either compared to what new wigs were earning at the time. So, I decided to stay the course, and 17 years later, here we are.

"What’s the most fulfilling thing about what you do now?"

EBUKA OBI-UCHENUDU: I love connecting with people, and many of the shows I do on TV have me either interviewing people or interacting with them in some way. That has been my greatest teacher in life. Learning from people from all walks of life and, at the same time, having to share that blessing with the world. As much as it’s a job, it continues to be a medium for me to share knowledge and inform people even when they think they’re just being entertained. I have a very curious mind, and my job feeds it constantly.

"I read somewhere that you also handle some entertainment law issues for friends. You combine both careers so well. Do you get paid, or it’s a friendship thing?"

EBUKA OBI-UCHENUDU: I get paid sometimes, but you know how it goes when it’s with friends or colleagues. One of the best quotes that have stuck with me from law school in Bwari was from my Civil Procedures professor, who said, “Never work for friends or family because they’ll never think you’re worth your pay.” (Laughs loudly) It seemed harsh at the time, but he was right. I do it anyway, mainly because, as an entertainment lawyer, I hate to see my colleagues fail for simple contract issues constantly. Plus, it helps me stay refreshed on the legal front.

But the plan is still to make it more than a side gig in the future. Keeping my fingers crossed on that.

"How do you manage to host all these—Rubbin’ Minds, Big Brother, etc., and your legal side gig? You are pretty busy."

EBUKA OBI-UCHENUDU: I’m highly intentional with planning. I currently host four TV shows; Rubbin’ Minds, Big Brother, Judging Matters and The Blackbox. Whilst also hosting one-off events and doing the occasional private practice on the side. I believe everything is just about scheduling. The longer I’ve done this, the more I’ve realised how to schedule properly and jump from one gig to another. We live in a country and world now where one job is not enough, so I’d rather complain about being too busy than not doing enough to grow and earn the best living I can today. I’ll rest later in life when all is said and done. Now is not the time.

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