Talent Without Borders, Opportunity With Boundaries

By Hadiza Usman

Talent is evenly distributed while opportunity is not. Talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Talent is a natural gift and inherent ability that exists within individuals across all societies, regardless of geographical location, economic status, or cultural background.
While talent itself is distributed among people, the opportunities to nurture and realize one’s talent is not equally accessible to everyone. The unequal access to opportunities often hinders the realization and development of talent. This wide gap between talent and limited opportunities is a pressing issue that requires consideration and action.
Yorubas would say “Abinibi yato si ability”, meaning, talent is different from learned skills. We live in a world where there is a silent divide that separates those who have access to the good things of life from those who struggle and, in the end, have nothing to show for it. While talent is often perceived as an intrinsic ability that individuals possess, opportunities are  the circumstances that allow individuals to showcase their talents and access to these opportunities depend on factors like socio-economic status, geographic location, connections and systemic barriers like discrimination, bias, and exclusion based on gender, race, ethnicity, etc. For instance, by statistics, one out of ten thousand footballers make it to the pro level. This means ten thousand people have the talent of playing football but the opportunity is opened to just one person. Economic status is another major factor that influences the availability of opportunities. Wealthier families can afford to invest in their children’s futures, providing them with private tutoring, enrichment programs, and different extracurricular activities. They also have the means to support higher education, often giving their children a leg up in competitive job markets. On the other hand, talented individuals from low-income families may face financial constraints that limit their access to these same opportunities, despite their capabilities and ambitions.
One of the ways one can overcome these natural factors is to strive to position oneself for opportunities.
One of the fundamental truths about talent is that it knows no boundaries, it can be found in surplus across the human population. The intrinsic potential that individuals possess is a testament to the diversity of human capabilities.
Meet Debbie, a skilled young programmer from a rural area who learnt how to code using her laptop via YouTube. Despite her exceptional talent, she struggled to find a job, lacking connection and formal training. Stories like this highlight that there’s a shortfall in opportunity. This shortfall distinguishes those who have the means to develop their talents from those who do not.
However, the realization of talent is linked to the presence of opportunities. Opportunities encompasses having access to education, mentorships, resources and support systems. Through these opportunities, individuals can pursue their passion and achieve their aspirations.
Unfortunately, not everyone is privileged to access these opportunities which makes the outcome of those with different levels of talents different.
By addressing this opportunity discrepancy, we can unlock the full potential of hidden talent which leads to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.
By providing equal opportunities, we can unlock the full potential of individuals and society, creating a more just and prosperous world. By recognizing and nurturing talent in all its forms, regardless of background, we can move towards a future where everyone has the chance to succeed based on their abilities and hard work.
Talent is indeed evenly distributed, but the opportunities to develop and showcase that talent are not. It is incumbent upon us as a society to work towards leveling the playing field. Talent is everywhere but opportunity is the key that unlocks it and everyone can have access to that key. By providing equal opportunities, we can ensure that the potential of all individuals is realized, fostering innovation, creativity, and progress across all sectors.