A Week In The Life” is a weekly Zikoko series that explores the working-class struggles of Nigerians. It captures the very spirit of what it means to hustle in Nigeria and puts you in the shoes of the subject for a week.
2021 was a long year. I know it and you definitely know it. I wrote my first “A Week In The Life” story of 2021 on the 5th of January. It was about an interstate driver who had a girlfriend in almost every Nigerian state he visited. This awe-inspiring, mind-boggling, larger-than-life, yet commonplace story would set the tone for some of the episodes in the series.
As the year comes to a close, and with over 36 stories under the “A Week In The Life” flagship, I’ve picked 10 of the most-read stories from the series. These stories were picked based on the number of page views they had, the conversations they sparked and the general audience reaction to them.
Whether you started reading this series last year, this year, or even last week, here are some stories that our audience definitely enjoyed reading and sharing.
Dive in:
1) When I’m In Front Of A Camera, I Feel Like Wizkid Or Davido — A Week In The Life Of A Pornstar
Forget everything you know because this story will challenge it. After failing to get into Nollywood, Juliet, the subject of this story decided to go into acting porn. She talks about the stigma involved in her job, not being ashamed to show her face in her videos and how powerful she feels in front of a camera.
According to Juliet, “During video shoots, I tell my men that it’s acting we’re acting so they shouldn’t get carried away thinking it’s their girlfriend they’re fucking. I also make it clear that they must not cum in me — they can cum on my laps, face, tummy but not inside me.”
Read more here.
2) Manager By Day, Sugar Baby At Night: A Week In The Life
The subject of this story has gone from swearing not to sleep with married men to not refusing their advances.
The result? A lot of gifts and houses. Why did she suddenly change her mind and go down the sugar baby route?
Click here to read her origin story.
3) A Week In The Life Of An Unpaid Full-Time House Wife
What’s it like being an unpaid full housewife? It’s a lot of thankless hard work, unnecessary suffering and acceptance in the grand scheme of things.
The heaviness in this story still haunts me today. See why here.
4) My Life Ended When I started NYSC” — A Week In The Life Of A Tired Youth Corps Member
If you’ve done NYSC, this story will make you angry, sad, and confused. Why? Because the suffering is relatable and pointless. For this episode, a youth corps member without a place of primary assignment talks about the bleakness of her days, being frustrated by the NYSC scheme and the ways she sparks joy in her life.
Continue here.
5) Nigerians Call Strippers So Many Dirty Names — A Week In The Life Of A Stripper
The subject of today’s “A Week In The Life” is Debbie, a stripper. She tells us about how stripping changed her life, why she wants the Nigerian police to do better, and how she plans to fund her dreams of living an expensive life.
Read here.
6) I Feel Like I’m Juggling Two Identities — A Week In The Life Of A Dominatrix
Fair warning: This story has everything from drugs to sex to everything your Nigerian parents warned you about. However, if you want to get lost in a story, you should settle down and read this. Definitely worth your time.
Read more
7) I Almost Lost A Knee Cap — A Week In The Life Of A Drug Dealer
The subject of today’s “A Week In The Life” is a drug dealer. He talks to us about his process for baking edibles, how he almost lost a knee cap, and his plans to set up a cartel if his japa plans fail.
Satisfy your curiosity here.
8) For 2 Years I Didn’t Win A Single Bet — A Week In The Life Of A Gambler
The subject of today’s “A Week In The Life” is a writer and gambler. He talks about how earning in dollars makes gambling in Naira bearable, selling his properties to offset gambling bills and the adrenaline rush betting gives him.
Dive in.
9) A Week In The Life: The Interstate Driver With Girlfriends In Many States
“To be honest, I’m even changing. I’m not bad like that. If I count my girlfriends, I have only five consistent ones. I’ve removed the inconsistent ones from my list because no time. I’m also thankful that God take libido bless me to be able to keep everyone satisfied. It’s grace. I be pure Igbo guy, I strong die.“
This long-distance driver has gone from having a girlfriend in almost every state in the country to having “just” 5. Why does he do it? What’s his motivation? and is he not scared of the risks involved?
Click here to find out.
10) “Remember You Left Home To Feed Home” — A Week In The Life Of A Bus Driver
The subject of today’s “A Week In The Life” is Jimoh Adamu, a 27-year-old bus driver. Jimoh tells us about the inspiration behind the famous quotes on his bus, how the Lagos state Keke ban set him back, and his quest for a better life.
Finish up here.
Check back every Tuesday by 9 am for more “A Week In The Life ” goodness, and if you would like to be featured or you know anyone who fits the profile, fill this form.
