I will be very surprised to meet a Nigerian who does not have a clear notion of juniority and seniority. After all one had hardly graduated from toddlership to boyhood when snorts and retorts of “who is your mate?” reached one’s ears.
So it does not take long to know there are only three classes of people in the world. Those who are greater (seniors) to one, those lower (juniors) and those equal (peers).
One very common determiner of seniority is time. The earlier in time, say to be born, to bag a degree or title or reach a position is often the senior. As the Yoruba say “Eni a ba laba ni baba” (the first settler is the overlord).
In the legal profession, seniority and juniority are not only legitimate distinctions of class, but also an honourable one for that matter. Normally no one, except mischievous yokels, flaunt their juniority. What is put proudly on display is the seniority, because seniority confers advantages.
To be senior is to be greater and to be greater, is to be seen as better or worthier. Of course where there is contest, juniority invariably surrenders to seniority.
However note it all, there are seniors and there are seniors.
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