Ifeatu Nnaobi Wants To Show Nigerians How Living On The 18k Minimum Wage Is Really Like

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In May 2016, a new fuel price was announced but it wasn’t necessarily good news.

The fuel subsidy was removed and it meant Nigerians had to start buying fuel at 145/litre while the national minimum wage remained N18,000.

Coming from a sheltered background, Ifeatu Nnaobi believes Nigerians do not take interest in tackling socio-economic issues in the society.

Starting on June 20, she decided to live on the national minimum wage for one month as a way of creating awareness of the failing living standards in Nigeria.

For 30 days, I'll live on Nigeria's national minimum wage of N18,000. Stay tuned to see how my journey unfolds. pic.twitter.com/AaSTNA8Kof

— Ifeatu (@ifeatunnaobi) June 20, 2016

In 2010, BBC aired a 3-series documentary, Welcome to Lagos, which was met with protests on social media because Nigerians felt it gave their country a bad image.

However, Ifeatu was only shocked to discover the harsh realities many Nigerians, especially those living in Lagos faced.

She is documenting her daily experiences while doing the minimum wage challenge on her social media pages.

Day 1 was dope. Got free lunch from a kind man b/c I look like my mum. He doesn't know of #minwagechallenge pic.twitter.com/XMRanoDWpi

— Ifeatu (@ifeatunnaobi) June 21, 2016

It is important for Nigerians to tell our own stories. We hope this project reaches the people who can make changes to the national minimum wage.

You can keep up with her daily posts on Twitter and Instagram. Featured image via Ifeatu’s Instagram.