This article was first written on July 13, 2026.
It rained heavily today, and Victoria Island was practically under water. The downpour caused severe traffic congestion, and after seeing just how bad the gridlock was, I decided to stay back at the office and get some more work done.
Shortly before 10:00 PM, I checked Google Maps. It estimated that I could get home in 31 minutes—but only if I went through the Coastal Road corridor. The main Lekki-Epe Expressway was completely clogged. On the map, it was red for a long stretch.
A few colleagues needed a ride, so we all got into my vehicle. As we headed towards the Coastal Road, the drive was smooth, with very little traffic. I turned up the radio, reclined my seat slightly—I was being driven—and settled in to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the route. It was shaping up to be a pleasant ride. Or so I thought.
After we had driven for a while, my driver noticed a detour to the left leading to another lane and instinctively took it. I immediately protested because we hadn’t yet reached Ogombo, where we were supposed to turn. But it was too late. He had taken a wrong turn.
Should we reverse? That wasn’t an option. Reversing along that stretch of road was simply too dangerous, especially on a route where accidents had become increasingly common. So we kept driving—back in the direction we had come from, but on the opposite carriageway. There was no opportunity to correct our mistake. Every possible exit back to our intended route was blocked. The farther we drove, the farther we moved away from our destination.
We continued, frustrated, until we eventually found a small opening that allowed us to take a detour towards Jakande, Lekki. We were genuinely grateful for that little opening. It brought us out around Circle Mall, and from there, our journey resumed.
Life doesn't always go according to plan. Sometimes we take a wrong turn, lose valuable time, and wonder how we got there. But every setback carries the possibility of a fresh start. Share on XWhat should have taken just 31 minutes ended up taking well over an hour. When I finally got home, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much difference a wrong turn can make in a person’s life. One wrong decision can set someone back for years, and in some cases, the consequences can be difficult to recover from.
Over the course of my career, I have seen many people take wrong turns. Sometimes it was a colleague who resigned in anger. Another yielded to the temptation to get rich quickly. Someone else gave in to peer pressure. In other cases, it was the wrong career choice, the wrong business decision, or even the wrong location.
Whatever your own wrong turn may be, here are a few things to remember.
1. Course-correct
No matter how far you think you’ve gone, you can still course-correct. That doesn’t mean the process will be painless. It simply means you can limit the damage and avoid wasting even more time.
Take an honest look at your situation. Ask yourself what practical steps you need to take to change direction, then act on what you discover.
2. Speak to a Mentor
There is very little you are experiencing that someone else hasn’t experienced before. It is far better to benefit from another person’s wisdom than to rely solely on your own painful experience. Pain is an effective teacher, but it often leaves scars. Wisdom teaches much better, without the unnecessary wounds.
Speak to someone you trust and respect. As the Bible reminds us, “In the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)
3. Learn the Lessons
Every wrong turn carries valuable lessons. Learn them. Allow those difficult experiences to become the foundation for better decisions going forward. Don’t give up because of one mistake.
One wrong decision doesn't have to define the rest of your life. The important thing is recognising it, learning from it, and finding your way back. Share on XA wrong turn, if handled wisely, can become a defining moment. In fact, a wrong turn can become the very turning point that positions you for greater success.
4. Remember What Brought You This Far
While making necessary changes is important, it is equally important to remember the values, skills, talents, attitudes, and habits that brought you this far before the wrong turn. Go back to those strengths. Build on them. Remain consistent in demonstrating them. Often, they will become the foundation for your recovery.
5. Be Willing to Remedy a Wrong Turn
Wisdom includes taking responsibility for your mistakes but it doesn’t stop there. Where possible, take steps to remedy them. What practical actions can you take to make things right? Is restitution necessary? Could a sincere apology, corrective action, or an extra effort restore trust?
For example, giving a dissatisfied customer complimentary products or services may cost you something in the short term, but it could save your reputation and spare you far greater regret in the future.
Don’t spend your life mourning a wrong turn. Don’t build a monument around your mistakes. Acknowledge your regrets, learn from them, make the necessary adjustments, and move forward.
With the right response, a wrong turn can become the turning point that leads you to a better life.