hustle | Page 11 of 18

Hockey Failed Him And Now He’s Driving For Uber: A Week In The Life

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.

The subject of today’s “AWITL” used to be a professional hockey player but that didn’t work out. Now, he’s a driver on Uber. He talks about using his rent money to pay for the car he drives, living out of his car, and trusting God for his future.

MONDAY:

The only person that can make my car go anywhere on Monday is God. Outside of him, no matter what’s happening, my car no dey leave where I park am on Monday.

Monday is my day off because I can’t come and kill myself. I chose this day because it’s normally tight and everyone in Lagos is rushing. While people are on the road struggling, I’m resting. And while they’re resting, I’m working. I’ve scheduled my timetable such that I work from Tuesday to Sunday and I’m okay with it.

As a result, I spent my time today washing my car and clothes — just chilling.

Thankfully, I’m not married nor do I have children so nobody disturbs me.

After finishing my tasks, I find something to put in my stomach and sleep. In the evening, I warm my car and check the oil and water levels.

At night, I mentally start preparing for work tomorrow. By 9 p.m., I’m asleep.

TUESDAY:

On the days I’m working, I wake up by 3 a.m. and resume work at 4 a.m.

Why? Because this country no balance. The earlier I start hustling, the more money I can make and the more I avoid holdup.

It’s hard being a driver because everything is against you: Lagos traffic, passengers, bad roads and even yourself. This morning, my body refused to cooperate at 3:00 a.m. so I woke up around 3:55 a.m. The first thing I did after waking up was to brush my teeth and go online on the driver’s app. Because I was late, there was no time to baff.

My first rider was going to Iyana-Ipaja so I cancelled the trip. Around this time, I only go to areas I’m familiar with. The next order was somewhere around Surulere so I accepted the trip. My procedure before picking a passenger in the morning is to call them to gauge their voice. If my spirit doesn’t like their voice, I cancel the trip. If they sound okay, I move.

In this life, you can’t be too careful. Last last we’re all in the hands of God but you also have to play your own part. Them still dey kill person wey get 1,000 security guards talkless of me that I’m alone. The only belief I have any time I go out is that God is with me. Apart from that, it’s purely instinct.

After hearing the passenger’s voice, I went to pick them. I dropped them and did four more trips until around 7:00 a.m. when traffic started to build.

By this time, I had made some money so I decided to go have a bath. After that, my day properly began.

WEDNESDAY:

I’m looking at my account balance and I’m not happy. I’m doing hire purchase — instalment payments — for this car and after delivering money to my boss today, my account is empty.

I’m tired because I used the ₦200,000 I wanted to rent a house with to pay the initial deposit for this car. Now, the car has also become my house. I can’t pay rent and I don’t have money. But people will see me driving a car and be jealous.

They don’t know that my experience be like season film; too many things are happening.

Every night, I go to my former area to park because I know it’s secure. I open my car windows and push my front seat down so I can lie on it. That’s how I’ve been sleeping every night for the past two months and I never die.

When I wake up in the morning, I go to my former house to use their toilet and bath before starting my day. Sometimes, I use the toilet inside banks or hotels.

I know that all this managing is just for a while. At least, until I finish paying for the car. No be say I dey lazy, na favour just never set.

THURSDAY:

Today, I blame myself for being Nigerian. As you’re seeing me, I’m a professional hockey player with Lagos State. In fact, I also used to play football but I ran away because there was no money in it. In hockey, at least we used to get some stipends to hold body. If the government invested in athletics maybe I wouldn’t be a driver.

I’ve played many hockey tournaments from Lagos to Abuja. I’ve also won many medals and done a lot of training, yet, nothing to show for it. Last year, I was in training camp for almost twelve months before COVID-19 struck. That’s how all our plans scattered. To make matters worse, our executives embezzled our money. That’s how I suddenly found myself stranded.

At that point, I had to tell everyone: “bro, captain, coach, I don’t want to train again. Don’t bother yourself calling me for camp. Don’t try it because I’m not doing again. When I’m financially stable, I’ll start my training again. Until then, nobody should call me.”

All my talent is just wasting. I blame myself for being born in this type of country.

FRIDAY:

I don’t mind driving because the work is okay. Sometimes you meet passengers who’ll treat you like a human being and relate with you. Other times, you’ll see the ones that will talk to you anyhow or insult you.

I take both of them with my chest. Na me know wetin I dey find and I have a goal. My biggest drive is that one day I’ll make it and become somebody in life. I no dey even think am too much because I know it’s for sure. That’s why I start today by praying and telling Baba God that he’s now in charge of my life. Me, I’m not doing again.

My problems may be bigger than me, but them no big pass God. The main thing on my mind is how I’ll pay off the ₦2.5M on my hire purchase. There’s also rent to think of after that one. Even if it’s a room self-contained, I’ll manage. There’s nothing like sleeping in your own house, on your own bed, under your own roof. Nothing beats having your own toilet to shit in without restrictions. Me, I’m not going to kill myself with overthinking. With the way I’m hustling I know I have no choice but to blow one day.

I’m turning 32 this year and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that this life no balance at all. But my own must balance.

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.

Hassan Yahaya

August 31, 2021

Hustle

hockey, hustle, Taxify, Uber
I Earn Dollars But I Still Feel Unsafe — A Week In the Life of a Freelancer

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.

The subject of today’s “A Week In The Life” is a freelance product designer. He earns in forex while living in Nigeria. He talks to us about navigating time zone differences, landing foreign clients, and his battles with a sedentary lifestyle.

MONDAY:

Unlike most Lagosians, my day begins in the evening. I’m awake when people are asleep and I’m asleep when people are awake.

Work typically starts at 3 p.m. for me and ends around midnight or early morning. I’m a product designer in Nigeria working with a foreign company, so my sleep pattern is ruined.

As long as I’m getting paid in forex, I don’t mind.

It’s wild that I got into this life because of an Instagram message. I had just quit my job, was running on vibes and panicking when an acquaintance texted, “Hey, do you want to work for a foreign company?” You’d have been worried if you saw the way I jumped at the offer. It was so bad that I didn’t negotiate with my employer. The speed and casualness with which he agreed to my initial price told me I had sold myself short.

For me, the prospect of earning in dollars was simply too good to be true. I had just quit a job without a plan and here I was. Now, I know I could have bargained better, but that’s all past.

These days, every working hour is paid for. Although, I try to strike a balance — I don’t work more than 12 hours during the week, and if I can help it, I don’t work on the weekends.

Since I work in a different time zone, I also try to use my mornings to relax. I use the time my oga is sleeping to get a few things done. Like today, I woke up at 11 a.m. The first thing I did was stretch a little. Then I replied to messages from the night before and tried to skip. Around noon, I had a light breakfast and napped.

By 3 p.m., I was feeling very rested and ready to seize the day.

TUESDAY:

The first thing I said when I woke up this morning was “God forbid bad thing.” I had a nightmare that I was back to earning in naira. If you see the speed I woke up with ehn.

I’m saying God forbid bad things for a couple of reasons. Beyond the better pay — which is important — foreign jobs give superb feedback. Any small thing, they’ll throw words of affirmation at you: you’re beautiful, your design is great. In fact, my employer says I’m the best in the world. I’m usually like, “Okay sir, if you insist.”

You can move mountains and some Nigerian employers may not acknowledge it. To them, you’re being paid a salary so do your work. Being appreciated alone is a big win in my books.

Another good thing — and I’m not shading anyone — is the developers I work with. They are beasts. You give them your design, and they implement it exactly as it is. Whew!

There’s less back and forth between designers and the developers, and they actually listen to me because it’s my field. Also, they trust that I know what I’m saying — wow.

I had a nice meeting with the tech team at work today. Although I started the day feeling low on energy, the feedback from the conversation I had with them gingered me. I’d thought I was going to get through my day doing the barest minimum, but now, I’m inspired to do more.

It feels very relaxing to work in an environment where I’m valued and my work is appreciated. Naturally, it makes me want to go above and beyond.

My goal for this week, as with every other week, is to finish all my tasks before the weekend so I can relax. I won’t be caught dead in front of a laptop if Chelsea is playing, or if my guys are outside balling.

WEDNESDAY:

People come up to me every time asking how they can land foreign jobs. I tell them the same thing: exposure.

You have to put yourself out there. That’s the major difference between being good and being seen. The sweet spot is having the skill and being visible. There are many good designers out there, but no one knows them.

I make sure to always update my portfolio and my LinkedIn page. I’m always shooting out cold emails. I’ve come a long way from posting my designs primarily on Instagram to using LinkedIn. Regardless of what platform you use, it’s important you put yourself out there.

Today, I already sent out a cold email on LinkedIn and started a conversation. It works for me because I also have the experience to back it up. I tell newbies in the game to document their process. Beyond daily challenges, explain the problems you identified and why you decided to redesign an existing app that works perfectly.

Once you can state a problem and explain how you arrived at a solution, you’re almost there. The next step is to share widely and add to your portfolio. These are the things you’ll send as proof when reaching out to foreign companies.

Another thing that’s important to note is that if you’re not using platforms like Upwork and co, it’s always advisable to ask for a down payment before doing any work. These streets are dangerous and you don’t want to say “I thy known”.

Personally, I’ve not had any bad experience and to God be the glory. If someone runs me street, I can just start crying.

THURSDAY:

As the week comes to a close, I’m not as exhausted as I usually am. In fact, this is the first week I’m not actively looking forward to the weekend. Weekends are sacred for me because that’s when I get to spend all the money I’ve been making.

If I work long hours during the week, the weekend is to spend the money made from that time.

I overheard some people talking about how they had no plans for the weekend, and it made me flashback to a year ago. The difference between then and now is massive. Now, I dey ball die. When people stylishly ask me what has changed, I tell them to ask me straight and not go through the corners — life is good. Dollars is sweet.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the dollar to the naira exchange rate is high. I don’t know whether to thank the government or to curse them. But oh my God.

Beyond the financial aspect, I’m also not on the same level skill-wise as I was last year. Global exposure has sharpened my skill. Every day, I’m improving my craft.

I’m grateful to be able to provide for myself and my family, but I’m scared that Nigeria can unravel the false safety I feel at any point. I’m comfortable here, but there’s no infrastructure. Terrible roads, no hospitals, no security. It’s scary that if anything happens to me in Nigeria, money can’t save me.

All in all, I recognise my privilege and don’t rub it in people’s faces. The country is in shambles and doesn’t work; I’m lucky and not special.

But there’s only so much luck I can have, that’s why I’m also planning japa.

FRIDAY:

Ladies and gentlemen, the weekend is here. The best two days of the week where we’re free from the reach of capitalism.

I’m happy that the weekend is here for two reasons: one is that I’m not working. The other is that I finally get to set up my home gym. One of the casualties of working from home has been my stomach. Before now, I didn’t have a potbelly, but working from home has changed that. And it’s so difficult getting myself to exercise. I try to stretch but succeed at that maybe once a week.

When God touches my heart, I jog maybe once a month. I hate that shit so much because it’s so tasking. However, being active is now a top priority for me. It’s so easy to get lazy and die because you’re sitting down at home chasing money.

My health has taken a toll because of this lifestyle: I sleep at odd hours, I have a potbelly, I take supplements because I’m indoors all day, and I don’t eat healthily. I also spend a lot of time staring at a screen.

I hope that in a few years from now, I can break out of this freelance life. Maybe I’ll get some respite then. I hope to be the one employing freelancers or I’m in a reputable company earning internationally competitive rates regardless of where I live. Maybe if I’m still in Nigeria by then, $1 will be worth ₦1,000…

But all that one is future thinking, I have pending problems in the present. Today, I’ve made up my mind to go and buy dumbbells and floor rolls for exercise. This will join my skipping rope and exercise mat. Little by little, my home gym is coming to life. I must not die before I reach the future of my dreams.

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.

Hassan Yahaya

August 24, 2021

Hustle

dollars, Freelance, hustle, naira, work
Club Girls Are Not Runs Girls: A Week In The Life

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.

The subject of today’s “A Week In The Life” is a club hostess and waitress. Club hostesses help clients with reservations and carry out bottles with sparklers when people buy expensive drinks. Our subject talks about the stereotype associated with her job, balancing school and work, and some of the most expensive drinks she has served.

FRIDAY:

I feel lucky that I have a job because I can’t imagine how I’d cope without one. A little back story: I’m currently living in Akure because of school and outside of classes, I have nothing to do. A typical day for me usually involves class, hostel, class, hostel, rinse and repeat.

With a job in the mix, I’m happy there’s finally some variety: class, hostel, work, rinse and repeat. Keeping a job as a student requires constant moving around of my schedule. Some days, I go from work to class. On other days, it’s from class to work.

Today, I’m going from the lab to work. School ends at 4 p.m., and I have to prepare for work at 6 p.m. The club officially opens at 9:30 p.m. but resumption time is 6 p.m.

I work as a hostess in a club and I like to call it waitressing pro-max — if such a name exists.

My job is to go to work, be on my best behaviour, look beautiful, put on a smile and welcome customers. It’s also my job to show them to their table and make them comfortable. On nights where we have a full house, I also substitute as a waitress and help serve drinks.

The part of my job I love the most is seeing people buy expensive drinks, hey Jesus! Dorime things. When I’m hyping the person popping drinks by dancing and carrying lights, I’m constantly reminding myself that if the drink falls, I’m finished. Some of these drinks cost more than my annual salary. I haven’t gotten used to seeing people casually spend millions of naira on alcohol in one night.

But, I try not to visibly show my shock because the show must go on.

School is currently in session, so my work schedule has changed from every day to only Friday to Sunday. From 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Although, I still find myself working during the week because work is fun and my co-workers feel like family.

SATURDAY:

Midnight of Friday/Saturday morning:

I resumed work at 6 p.m. yesterday. I barely made it to work on time because I overslept when I got to the hostel. It took the grace of God for me to jump up when I did and I rushed to work.

The first thing I did at work was to eat the cereal I packed. Next, I started making reservations for guests coming later at night when we fully opened. At some point, I helped the barman take inventory and plan the drinks for the night. When I was tired, I went to a restaurant in the same building as the club to chill.

At 9 p.m., I went to change. I was torn between a red dress with a thigh slit and a plain black round neck shirt. I almost chose the red dress, but I remembered that the last time I wore it, a man pointed at my nipple, another slapped my butt and one couldn’t stop staring at my breasts — even though they aren’t that big. And so, the plain black round neck won.

3 a.m.

I’ve been by the door welcoming guests all night. In that time, I and the other hostesses have danced up to five times for people popping drinks. I’ve also worn a mask to hide my face during those five times because I’m shy.

In this same night, I’ve also gotten offers from people who say they want to fuck me. One even offered to triple my monthly salary if I go home with him. Wonders shall never end.

4:00 a.m.

The alcohol has finally kicked in. The DJ’s playlist is fire. People have stopped coming in and now I’m catching my own fun.

5:00 a.m.

I’m not doing again. I’m tired. These people should come and be going home.

6:00 a.m.

God. These people are still here dancing and partying. Don’t they want us to go home? Are they not tired? I’m tired.

I miss my bed.

7:00 a.m.

Finally, the last customer just left. Thank you, Jesus!

Noon

Nobody can separate me from this bed. Not food, not water, not even phone calls. I want to sleep till tomorrow if I can.

5 p.m.

I can’t believe I have to get up for work. This adulthood is very somehow because someone can’t even relax. Just work every day until you die.

SUNDAY:

Midnight of Saturday/Sunday morning

Tonight has been uneventful. People are coming in much slower than usual and the energy on the dance floor is off. With the kind of evening I had when I got to work, I’m glad things are slow now.

For the longest time, I’ve suspected that people view so-called “club girls” differently. However, today’s incident proved me right.

The owner of the club I work in owns a hotel within the building our office is in, and I chill at the hotel’s bar and restaurant all the time. Yesterday, [male] friends from my school came to lodge in our hotel. That’s how I went to say hi to them because these are friends I had before starting this job.

As I was leaving their room to start work, I heard someone say, “she has gone to do the job they hired her for. The job of fucking customers.”

My heart dropped, my palms and face were covered in sweat, and I was speechless.

It’s somehow when people just stereotype you. Club girl doesn’t mean she fucks around. Club girl doesn’t mean she’s for sale or wants your money. Club girl doesn’t mean she’s not a person; she’s a human being too.

Last last this work is not for everyone because if you don’t have sense they’ll run you streets.

3 a.m.

The last customer just left, so we’re done for the day. However, according to our contract, we can’t leave until 6:00 a.m. Everyone is either sleeping or about to sleep. I can’t because my body is already used to sleeping during the day.

To pass time, I try to match drinks to their prices. We have:

— Hennessy Paradis. We sell for ₦1M and people buy it like pure water.

— Azul costs ₦400k and is decent.

— Ace of Spades is ₦450k.

— Hennessy xo is ₦350k. Same price as Remy XO. Dom Perignon is around ₦300 – ₦350k too.

— Don Julio is ₦400k.

— Then we have the Moet family which costs ₦65k. This is in the same category as Hennessy VSOP.

— We sell Glenfiddich between ₦65 – ₦85k too.

— Our Ciroc goes for ₦45,000

There’s a drink for everybody.

6:00 a.m.

Finally, my watch has ended. I’m going home to sleep all day. I’m grateful that my colleagues told me to go home while they stayed back to balance the account and clean up.

MONDAY:

6:00 a.m.

The only thing powering me this morning is energy drinks. Last night was so busy that you’ll never have imagined that the next day was Monday. Customers were everywhere, so I barely had time to rest. To make things worse, my first class starts at 8:00 a.m. today and attendance is compulsory.

I have to do everything in my power to not touch my bed. Anything that makes me lie down small, that’s the end. I’m gone. I just need to manage till 2 p.m. when school ends for today. I don’t know how I’ll survive the lectures, but the first step is getting to school in one piece.

It’ll soon be a year since I started doing this job. It’s funny how this job started as a way to keep busy and earn passive income after the lockdown was eased, and school was still closed. Now, it’s something I’ve come to enjoy. Beyond that, I’m really grateful I have a job I enjoy that occupies my time.

As a student, there’s no greater feeling than knowing I have my own money. I don’t depend on anyone for anything: I see something, I like it, and I save for it. Apart from the occasional harassment, this is a job I enjoy doing.

I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I had nothing to do.

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.

Hassan Yahaya

August 17, 2021

Hustle

ASUU, club, hostess, hustle, Nigeria, pandemic, party, student
9 Side Hustles Nigerians Should Consider

Almost everyone has a side hustle in Nigeria. They are a must when you live in a country that is constantly trying to kill you. Here are 10 side hustles that will make living a little easier.

1. Cultural dancer

This job requires skills that not everybody has, it’s not easy to keep people entertained for a long time so if you can’t do that don’t even consider this side hustle in Nigeria. Become a cultural dancer so you can blow off the frustration from working an annoying 9-5. You might not be shaking your ass in a yacht, but you’ll be shaking it where they can spray you money.

2. Family disappointment

It’s not easy to be the family disappointment but someone has to do it. Gather all your siblings and cousins, set up a fee they can pay monthly so that they can finally get that septum piercing or tattoo they want but can’t get until you get one, and their parents can just label you the bad influence. Don’t waste your talent.

You after you get paid.

3. Instagram skit maker

Do you know how much Instagram skit makers earn? A lot, that’s how much. Instead of wasting your time being the unpaid funny friend in your friend group, put your talent to good use. Do your mates have two heads?

Yes, it is.

4. Money doubler

There is no glory in scamming people and your destination is hell for sure, but if someone is greedy enough to want to double the small money they have through magic, they deserve whatever they get. If they arrest you sha please don’t mention Zikoko.

5. Professional clown

If most of your friends have your contact saved as ‘clown’ on their phones, then this job is for you. You are not a stranger to embarrassment and you have since gotten used to it. Fear not, we have a solution. You can accept people’s embarrassment on their behalf for a small fee. Help someone break up with her boyfriend, accept someone’s quit notice on their behalf, small things like that.

6. Professional girlfriend

Or if you want to be posh, you can call yourself an escort. If one of your best qualities is that you are a really good girlfriend even though they still break up with you, you should take this job. You never know, you might even find love but then again… this is Nigeria, you will more likely be kidnapped.

7. Professional sugar baby

This is one of the most lucrative side hustles in Nigeria, and it doesn’t interfere with any other job you have. If you are committed to a life of enjoyment, this is the job for you. Just know that there is no such thing as a sugar baby that doesn’t give sugar.

8. Playlist creator

If you have ever been in a situation where your ex asked you to help them make a playlist for their current partner, first of all, pele. Secondly, that’s just proof that you have good taste. Rise, don’t let your talent waste, stop making playlists for free.

9. Semo-taster

This one is a dangerous Side hustle no one has mastered, but at least when you have food poisoning from eating Semo, you can take several days off work.

Malakai Bassey

August 12, 2021

Inside Life

hustle, Inside life, Living in Nigeria, Side Hustles
“Security Na Human Being” — A Week in the Life of a Security Guard

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.

The subject of today’s “A Week In The Life” is a security guard. He talks about being intimidated because of his job, forfeiting 50% of his salary to security companies and spending all his time at work. He also talks about his plans to escape it all.

MONDAY:

The first thing to do when I wake up na to thank my God because I no know wetin happen for night. And things dey occur. After thanking God for protection, all other things follow — bath, brush and toilet. By 6 a.m. sharp, I don pull boots to wear and my day begins.

I work one week on and one week off. The week I’m on duty, like today, I run 24-hour shifts. This morning, the first thing I do is to walk around the compound to clear sleep from my eyes. In this job, I only get to sleep at night but last night was rough.

Our small and tight security room with only one window was hot like an oven because NEPA took light. As a result, I had to carry my mosquito net and bed outside to sleep under fresh breeze. But it started to rain so I couldn’t sleep because there was no cover. Between the hot room and cold outside with nowhere to stay, I ended up not sleeping and pressed my phone from midnight till around 5 a.m.

This job is taxing [on the body] because even on a day like this, I still can’t afford to rest. I still have to be at constant alert: I have to open the gate for visitors, receive packages and ensure visitors are who they say they are.

I will try my best today but there’s only so much I can do with little sleep. One day, I’ll talk about the problem with this job where you can’t do anything else apart from it. I’ll also talk about the not so great pay.

But today is not the day. Today is for surviving the day on minimum sleep.

TUESDAY:

Today is better than yesterday. At least, I slept without any disturbance last night. Even though it wasn’t deep sleep, because I was waking up to patrol every one hour, I still feel relaxed.

Today I’m looking back at how far I’ve come. I initially started life as a waiter in a big hotel in Lekki. Although the salary was small, I used to make at least two times my salary from tips and service charges before the end of the month. Unfortunately, due to some things that happened on the job, I got fired.

After that, I went to a sack production company. I started as a loom operator and then moved to become head loom manager. From there I moved to the quality control department. As I was enjoying my new career, the company folded and we were all sent home.

So that I’ll not just be at home sitting down idle, I decided to pursue security work while searching for jobs. It is going to be two years now since I made that decision.

I don’t mind the job because I find that security work is all about intelligence and using your head. It’s also not hard because we didn’t bring the job from heaven; we learned it here. Apart from the basics like checking surroundings, etc we didn’t cover a lot of new things during security training. Additionally, as a contract security personnel, I wasn’t taught about arms because I’m not allowed to carry them.

God forbid bad thing but if armed robbers attack now, as contract security, my job is to hide, take my phone and call the police. Because of this, I’m always reminding myself to use my senses on this job.

WEDNESDAY:

It’s intimidating being a security man in Nigeria because most people assume you’re done for. They think because you’re wearing a uniform you can’t ever make it in life. The wiser ones among them understand that it’s Nigeria of today that’s pushing some of us to do the job. But the majority of people, you’ll greet them and they’ll reply with their nose. Nothing spoil. God is upstairs and he’ll answer our prayers one day.

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I’m at work today thinking about how my current company has good people. This is the first place I’ve worked where people don’t look down on security people. Everyone here is a guy-man. But me, I still don’t pass my boundaries. I’ve learned to read body language and facial expressions to use in determining when to greet or when to keep quiet.

I’ve never been molested or insulted and I want to keep it that way. There’s no one to report to if anything happens with the client. Is it the security company that will save me?

The same company that told us that the customer is always right and the best we can do is record any incident in our logbook pending when a supervisor comes around. And God knows the company will always support the client because that’s where they’re seeing money. Is it the same company that collects ₦50,000 from clients and pays security people ₦25,000 that’ll protect us?

I can stand every aspect of this job but you see that poor pay? I hate it. By the 18th, 19th of every month, I’ve exhausted my money and I’m struggling to meet up. I think my situation is even worse because I’m a family man and many people are depending on the small money.

I’ll not lie to you, this work is somehow. I love the people I work with but I dislike the job.

THURSDAY:

This job takes and takes and takes from you with nothing in return. The most recent thing it has taken from me is my church-going habit. Because of the nature of my shifts, I don’t attend church as much as before. I’m either working or resting because I’m tired from working. As a result of this, I spend extra time thanking God this morning. I read more Bible passages and sing more worship songs.

I know God is still with me. Even if I don’t frequent church regularly, I know that when I call on him he’ll be there for me, especially in my days of trouble. I trust that the God I serve is in control.

Once I’m done praying, my day begins.

FRIDAY:

This is my last shift of the week and I’m happy today. I already have plans for my week off. Every day, for three hours, I’m learning how to drive at my friend’s place. My plan is that in the next two months I’ll master driving and become a commercial driver. Someone has promised that by the special grace of God he’ll buy me a car for Uber. At least, I know that one is better than a security job.

I won’t mind if I can even go from ₦30,000 a month to ₦80,000 — that’s still something. If that happens, I can even bring my wife and my boy to Lagos. Since I started this security job I haven’t been able to rent a house so I sent them to Benin to stay with my mum. Every month, from the little I earn, I try to send them upkeep but it’s never enough.

It’s been two years — since May 2019 — since I saw them last. I miss them so badly but I can’t bring them to suffer here with me in Lagos. This is July, the plan is that if everything goes well, I’ll bring them to Lagos by January 2022. I want us to be one big happy family again.

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I know God is in control so I’m not too bothered. I’ve done many things before now and I’m not afraid to try new things. However, this job has taught me something: Security na human being. They no just fall from heaven and most of them, na condition make them do the work. More people should treat us like human beings. Sometimes, the insult we receive adds to our problem. It can be very painful when someone looks at you from up to toe and just concludes that you can never make it. It’s unfair.

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.

Hassan Yahaya

August 3, 2021

Hustle

guard, hustle, Life, Nigeria, security, shift
Manager by Day, Sugar Baby at Night: A Week in the Life

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.

The subject of today’s “A Week in the Life” is a manager at a cosmetic store. When she’s not making sure her office doesn’t burn, she’s also a sugar girl. She tells us about how money challenges morals, the benefits of her job, and why she cherishes her independence.

MONDAY:

I’m lucky I live five minutes away from work because it means I can wake up by 7:45 a.m. and still resume at 8:00 a.m. Every morning I stand up from bed is a war against Nigeria, a war against my village people, and war, most especially, against the side of me that just wants to relax and be taken care of. But we move.

During the day, I work as a manager in a cosmetics store on the island. At every other time, I work as the minister of enjoyment, aka someone’s baby.

I’m doing manager’s work today.

I work alternate days and run full-day shifts from 8:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m. Although, I find myself staying back these days till 10:00 p.m. or 10:30 p.m. As the manager, I have to ensure that when work closes, the books are balanced and the inventory tallies. Work today was slow, but things picked up in the evening. Someone I know asked me to deliver some products to his house and at a 100% markup. I made some good money from that deal.

I generally help high-end clients source goods. Products you can’t easily find in Nigeria, gift sets for their partners, and home services for people who don’t want to come to the store. Even though it can be stressful, I don’t mind. I determine the profit margins on each deal and it ranges between 100% – 500%, depending on my mood. Sometimes, these clients even give me “thank you” money in addition.

I’ve made 7 figures in one day from product sourcing alone. I felt so happy, almost as if someone pumped me with drugs. I looked at my balance and I was like, “Wait oh, na me be this. Na me take my hand do am.” I just kept my mouth shut and didn’t tell anybody.

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You know all those questions where they ask “if you pick ₦100 million from the floor, who will you tell?” The answer should be nobody! Keep quiet and code, because that’s what I did. Anytime I wanted to tell someone, I drank water instead. You don’t know who’s the devil out there.

After that experience, I now believe that there’s no job I can’t do as long as it’s legal and will put money in my hands. These deals aren’t constant — you can go up to a year without getting anything — but they’re worth it when they come.

TUESDAY:

I like my job because it’s located in a high brow area with high-end customers who always want to see the manager. And somehow, they always want to collect my number, which I mostly refuse. Well, except this one customer.

One day, this unassuming man wearing a top and knickers entered the store asking to see me. He came in scared because he wasn’t sure if the creams he owned could cause cancer. I gave him tips on what to look out for and that calmed him down. He thanked me and left the store.

A few weeks later, this man came back looking very different. His car told me I was speaking to money, his wristwatch whispered that he was the real deal, and his neck jewellery screamed wealth.

According to him, he came to thank me for not dying, plus he also wanted my number. I playfully told him I was selling my number at ₦5,000 per digit. That’s how this man dropped a bundle of cash on my office table and asked me to count my money — I took ₦50,000 and gave him my number. From that point, I started seeing men who’d “buy” my number for ₦100,000, ₦200,000, and even ₦500,000. See ehn, there’s money and you just need to know where to look. And how to work on your looks.

If you tell these men that you want ₦2,000,000, they’ll size you up to see if you’ve seen ₦500,000 in your life. That incident at the store changed something in me. I started to ask myself: if someone that has only seen you once gives you ₦50k to take your number, how much more will they give you when they have something with you?

WEDNESDAY:

I have a confession: I’m having an affair with the unassuming man from the store. It’s embarrassing saying it loud, but let me explain. Nothing happened with this man until after five months after we started talking. Since he made it clear that he was married, I thought we’d just be friends.

During the first five months, he’d come to see me and we’d just gist in his car. Sometimes he’d give me $100 when I’m leaving. Other times, he’d press ₦50,000, ₦100,000 into my hands. On generous days, between $300 to $1,000. And this was purely platonic, or so I thought. Like the thief that I am, I was collecting the money not knowing that he was fattening me up.

One day he asked if I had any idea why he had been coming to see me, and I told him I didn’t. I hadn’t been with an older man before.

He told me he liked and wanted me for himself. He also added that he would not disturb my relationship or marriage as he was comfortable being in the background. He then told me to think about it.

Omo. I thought about it and decided that if someone could spend over a million on me without seeing my pant, nobody would ever use word of mouth to enter me again. That’s how we started seeing each other.

I won’t lie to you, the money he gives me has been so useful. Do you know what it means for you to just stay and someone is dashing you money? Unprovoked? You can buy Ibeju land and be paying instalmentally. Bad as e bad, my life has changed.

However, I’m not carried away. Part of the reason why I’m going to work, like today, is because I’m not foolish. I know he can wake up one day and leave. Me, I’m a hustler, so I try to make my own money. Nothing is too small. I’ll drive from island to mainland to supply products with ₦5,000 profit. Why?

If I miss ₦5K today, miss it tomorrow and the next, at the end of the week I don get ₦15k loss be that. If you check am, that ₦5k na my fuel money for generator. It’ll fill up my 125L keg clean.

I’m grateful for him in my life, but I’m not depending on only one man. I put it to you that if you find one man that’s taking care of all your bills, he’ll also be taking something from you. And let me not lie to you, the money is not constant like that. The generosity is seasonal. Some months there’s nothing and some months it’s flowing. But you know the truth? There’s no amount of money that’s ever enough.

THURSDAY:

I’m off work today and I plan to sleep all day. I’m thinking about how money has a way of making you drop your morals. At some point in my life, I used to tell married men off. I’d tell them to respect themselves and their wives. But now I’m here, and you know what? I don’t feel guilty. Well, not anymore.

In the beginning, I did. The first time we had sex, five months after nothing had happened, I couldn’t take off my clothes. I couldn’t look him in the eye. I was that guilty. But after he assured me with words, action and credit alert, I felt more comfortable. On some level, I gauged that it’s the same unmarried sex, which is a sin, that I’ll do with my boyfriend that I’ll do with him. Abeg remove cloth.

If you ask people if they can date someone for financial gain, everyone will say no. But with what I know now, I’ll just keep quiet. Life has shown me to never say never. The prayer is not to see temptation that surpasses the willpower to say no.

FRIDAY:

I like this man I’m seeing for several reasons, but the most important one is that he doesn’t interfere with my life. Today makes it five days since we last spoke or saw each other. And neither of us is bothered.

He doesn’t interfere with my work or any aspect of my life. He’s just a ghost. If you go through my phone, you’ll not find any message from him. But if you visit my bank account, I will cast. You’ll see his handiwork all over there.

Being with him is like having a side guy. Outside of when we see in person, our calls last between 30 seconds to 3 minutes.

But I know this won’t last forever. There’s someone in the picture with whom I’ll soon enter a proper boyfriend and girlfriend relationship, with the possibility of marriage.

Marriage lowkey scares me because I’m committing my life to someone’s hand. What if they’re not sensible? What if they want me to be a stay-at-home mum? It’s just too much power to give one person over my life. Even my life wey dey God’s hands, sometimes, I dey find ways to comot am. Now imagine after God, then there’s another person before me. Am I still living for myself?

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Nothing spoil. I’m a hustler, so I know that no matter what happens, I’ll never be stranded. My own is that nobody should please judge me for any of my choices. Let’s leave judgement to God.

He who’s without sin should cast a stone. If e sure for you, stone me.

Cover image photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels

Check back for new A Week in the Life stories every first Tuesday of the month at 9 a.m. If you’d like to be featured on the series, or you know anyone interesting who fits the profile, fill out this form.

Yes, I want to be featured!

Hassan Yahaya

July 20, 2021

Hustle

hustle, Lagos, Lekki, Nigeria, sugar girl, work
A Week In The Life Of An Orisa Priestess Trying To Guide People To Their Destiny

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.

The subject of today’s “A Week In The Life” is Omitonade Ifawemimo, an orisa priestess. Orisa priests/priestesses serve the function of spiritually guiding and counselling people so they can fulfil their destiny. She tells us about ways people stray from their destiny, how it can be modified, and what Yoruba indigenous religion means to her.

MONDAY:

I’m up before my alarm clock this morning. The light in my room is blinding and it takes a few minutes for my eyes to adjust. I stagger, carefully, to the toilet. After I’m done, I begin my morning routine.

I start each day by praying to my ori [spiritual head], to olodumare, to my egun [ancestors], to my orisa and to my egbe [astral mates]. I lie on my bed as I supplicate to them and it takes about 30 minutes to complete.

After I’m done with my prayers, I prepare my kids for school. I bathe, dress and cook for them. By 7 a.m. or a few minutes past 7, we’re out of the house to meet up with 8 a.m. resumption time. On the drive to school, I engage them in conversation and try to make them laugh. One minute we’re laughing, the next, we’re in front of their school gate.

I hand the kids over to their school teacher and my day starts.

As a full-time orisa priestess, I have an office I resume to by 10 a.m. every day. My role involves saving and guiding people. Orisa priests/priestesses are not seers — that is, we don’t see the future for people. Instead, through ifa/orisa divinations, we reveal a person’s past, present and future.

Practitioners of orisa spirituality believe that on our journey to earth, we made use of our ori to choose our blessings [wealth, long life, accomplishment, prosperity, etc]. However, on getting to earth, we forget all we’ve chosen and do things that are taboo to our ori, which hinders our progress. The job of a priest or priestess is to use divination to guide people on the right path of their destiny. Divination reveals strengths and weaknesses and allows for a smooth journey on earth.

Every day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., people come to my office to see what their ori is saying about their day, week or month. Today is no exception. There are people in the lounge waiting to see me when I get to the office. After exchanging brief greetings with a couple of them, I enter my office to settle down — then my workday truly begins.

TUESDAY:

In Yoruba spirituality, there are three ways we can modify human destiny. The first is through ifa/orisa divination[16 cowries]: people come to us, we divine for them and ifa/orisa reveals the problem along with a solution to us.

Image source: Omitonade Ifawemimo

The second method is through sacrifice, appeasement and propitiation. After the problem has been revealed, we do certain sacrifices to solve it. The sacrifices are everyday items like fruits, food, domestic animals, etc. Anything that can be seen with the eye can be used in making this propitiation. This sacrifice is used in order to solve the person’s problem.

Lastly, we have ifa/orisa initiation. We, orisa worshippers, have a saying: there’s nobody with a bad destiny or head, but the only hindrance is that people aren’t aware of their taboos. They are not aware of the behaviours their ori doesn’t want, and these become stumbling blocks in the pursuit of their goals.

To be initiated means to get to know a person’s destiny. To know their strengths, weakness and align with their ori. This is important because we believe that everyone is born with an orisa. You can also use this knowledge in spiritual fortification because you know everything about them. All of this is used to help people become accomplished and fulfilled on earth.

Today, I spend a few hours at work explaining some of the functions of a priestess to curious people.

I also explain that in the olden days, when children were born, their parents would invite a priest/priestess to divine the child’s destiny. This would help in knowing the child’s taboo’s, strengths, weaknesses. However, a lot of people no longer have this privilege. For people who didn’t have this luxury, they can do initiation to know their destiny.

I also say that while priests/priestesses can divine and modify spiritual problems, we can’t interfere with physical problems. So, if someone has character problems like anger or laziness, we advise them to work on themselves and not look for spiritual solutions.

WEDNESDAY:

After dropping the kids in school today, I decide to visit my friends. On the car ride, I think about how most people believe that people who practice traditional religion are uneducated or wretched, which is false. I try to change people’s perception of this and my behaviour speaks for me. Like a good traditional practitioner, I don’t preach our religion or spirituality. There’s no point telling people, especially Nigerians, Yorubas, to come back to Yoruba indigenous religion. Everyone will return to it at the end of the day because it is their roots.

My job is to educate people who are curious and guide those who are interested. Any original practitioner [there are imposters in the religion] is tolerant of other people’s beliefs and opinions.

In fact, we don’t say because people practice other religions we won’t help them. And even after helping them, we don’t force anyone to convert to our belief. Our own is for you to see the solution to what’s bothering you.

THURSDAY:

No work for me today. Why? Because body no be firewood. I’m going to spend my day resting and enjoying some peace and quiet. I’ve dropped the kids at school. I’ve cooked rice, fried plantain and boiled stew. I also have a cold Pepsi in the fridge to step it down with. The best part? I have the house all to myself, at least, until 4 p.m. when I go to pick the kids from school. Until then, I’m going to enjoy my alone time to the fullest.

FRIDAY:

Today, someone asked me about the hardest part of my job. I told him two things: firstly, it’s not a job, it’s a calling — it’s passion. Secondly, there’s no hard part. Some aspects are just easier than the others.

My role involves finding lost souls and guiding them back to their roots to learn about themselves. I’m happy social media is helping with more awareness. People are reading stuff that’s making them curious and ask questions. I’ve also been using my platform to enlighten pẹople about traditional religion.

I’ve also used my platform to correct misconceptions that we worship idols. We don’t. Olodumare proves its existence through nature by giving us water, plant, wind, thunder and lighting, sunlight. And orisas are in charge of these things. Sango is in charge of thunder and lighting. Osun, Yemoja, Olokun, Olosa are in charge of water. Ogun is in charge of iron and technology. In respect of these orisas and the work they do, we have icons and not idols.

Image source: Omitonade Ifawemimo

These things people call idols are used to beautify the shrine and not what is being called upon. Think about it as art to beautify your home. Can we call artwork idol worshipping? This is what I try to educate and enlighten people about on social media. I’m thankful to Olodumare because it’s not by my power. It’s just what works for me.

It is passion and bose ma je niyen [that’s how it will be].

[Editor’s note: some part of this post has been updated. We initially wrote that destiny couldn’t be stolen via sexual intercourse but the subject says it’s rare, but not impossible.]

You should read this next. Why? An Ifa priest tells us what it’s like being the youngest chief priest and the stigmatization of traditional religions in Nigeria.

People Are Afraid Of What They Don’t Understand — Man Like Osunniyi

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.

Hassan Yahaya

July 6, 2021

Hustle

awitl, hustle, ifa’, orisa, Religion, traditional religion, yoruba indigenous religion
A Week In The Life: Medical Student By Day, Executive Assistant At Night

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.

Today’s subject is a 22-year old combining two tedious roles as a medical student and an executive assistant. She talks about the requirements of each role, her supportive boss and how she tweaks her schedule to accommodate everything.

MONDAY:

I wake up at 6:30 a.m. every day, but that doesn’t happen today. After sleeping through four alarms, my roommate has to step in where the machines have failed. She taps the bed gently while calling out my name. I reluctantly open my eyes and take in our small room. There’s a ceiling fan rotating idly over my head, the metal on the double bunk beds have gotten a fresh coat of paint, and the rug has seen better times. “I’m up,” I say to her.

The first thing I do is to try to hustle bathroom space. As a student in a public university, the greatest struggle is having a germ-free bath. And that’s why wide-eyed, early in the day, I run to beat the soon-to-be-great-bathroom-rush of the girl’s hostel.

Thankfully, I come back to my room cleaner than I left. Then my day truly starts.

As a medical student, my day takes different turns. Sometimes, I have classes in the morning. At other times, it’s reviewing patients and presenting the findings to a consultant. Or, attending clinics and watching senior doctors in action to gain hands-on experience. Depending on the posting I’m in, it can be a combination of all three. This morning, I have online classes. At 8 a.m. I open my laptop and sign in for lectures.

It takes all my willpower to stay awake during the lectures, and I’m super grateful when my last class ends by 3 p.m. I close my laptop and contemplate what to eat for lunch. Midway through my thinking, I decide that sleep is better than food. I put on a funny show on Netflix, draw my curtains, settle under my duvet and wait for sleep to come.

TUESDAY:

I feel like I have two identities. The first is a medical student which encompasses all I do — school, writing, research and making my parents proud. Then my other [paid] job as an executive assistant [E.A] where I plan, schedule and organise. They’re both demanding, and I don’t know how I combine them seeing as I have only 24 hours in a day.

Being a student is the “easy” part because there’s a fixed schedule. But the second job? I’m always twisting and tweaking my calendar: work after classes, work during classes, work on weekends, work before classes. I like to say I go from work [school] to work-work [E.A].

Because I slept in yesterday, I’m starting my E.A job before school today. My boss, an entrepreneur, is trying to get into a new field, so I’m researching it. I know I can’t finish before lectures start, and I plan to take notes, listen in class while continuing my research. Once I’m done, I’ll schedule a few meetings and create content for social media. Then I’ll be free to focus on my lectures for the day.

On some level, I keep wondering how long I can sustain my second identity. The only reason I’ve been able to combine work and school is that the school hasn’t resumed clinical classes — ward rounds. Once that starts, I won’t get back until 12 a.m. or 1 a.m., and I’ll be too exhausted to do work-work. As much as I enjoy work and the financial independence it brings, medicine is still my first love. I’m still unsure if I want to write briefs and concept notes as a full-time career.

WEDNESDAY:

I like work-work for a couple of reasons. Firstly, my boss is a great human being. Even though she’s almost three times my age, she respects me. She listens to my opinions, asks for my input and she’s never bossy. It also feels good to be trusted with high-level stuff despite my age. Maybe because I’m Nigerian, being treated with respect by an older person is a big deal to me. After my experience with other types of employers, my boss is an angel.

The learning curve is another reason I like this job. I’m constantly reading interesting things. In one year, I’ve learned enough to talk about types of VC funding, angel investing and how to support entrepreneurs. It’s mind-blowing how much I now understand that entrepreneurship is the lifeline of a lot of countries. But, I’m still a 9-5 babe, thank you very much.

The real icing on the cake is that the relationship with my boss has progressed to mentorship. I’m constantly learning from her and sounding ideas off her. And she has been very gracious with her time and support.

Today, on a work call to check in on progress, she kept asking about my welfare and school. We ended up talking about me and the importance of school above everything else. It felt good to be treated like a human being by an older adult.

THURSDAY:

The best part about having a job as a student is financial independence. My E.A job pays me well enough to not ask my parents for money. I don’t remember the last time I collected money from them. Even though they know my salary, they still insist on sending me money.

I appreciate my parent’s love and support, but I don’t want to be a burden on them. They’ve never said I’m a burden, so it’s weird that I feel that way. On some level, I think it’s because I know the sacrifices they made to see me through an expensive secondary school. Now, I just want them to spend on themselves and plan for their retirement. Ever since Nigeria hit that 2016 recession, I’m no longer sure they have a retirement fund. Things have gotten so hard that I wonder how my parents have managed to keep me afloat. Earning an income means they can focus on themselves for once in their lives. But they still feel I’m their responsibility. I guess being a parent is to be forever responsible for your kids no matter how old they turn.

I’ll just have to get used to it. Just the same way I’ve gotten used to my dad sending me money randomly, like today, no matter how much I refuse. I plan to call to thank him.

FRIDAY:

I have been winging school so far. I find time to read when I can because I don’t schedule studying. Mostly, I study close to an exam or test. If I have an assessment on Friday, I’ll start reading on Wednesday. Other times, I’ll join study groups for revisions or just listen in class.

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I know that as I approach my final year, things are going to get difficult. But I’m going to try my best to hold out for as long as I can. If push comes to shove, medicine is the most important thing to me, and my boss supports this. Thankfully, the skills from this job are transferable to any field, including medicine. I know that no matter how things turn out, this is an experience I’ll always cherish.

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.

Hassan Yahaya

June 29, 2021

Hustle

awitl, executive assistant, hustle, medical student, School, work
“Gbese Drove Me To This Job” — A Week In The Life Of A Female Cab Driver

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.

A lot of things stand out about the subject of today’s “A Week In The Life.” She’s a mother of three kids, she’s the only female driver in a male-dominated park and she has insane grit. Our subject tells us why she shows up at work, how her job aids her evangelism and her plans for living a soft life.

MONDAY:

“I’m late.” That’s the first thing on my mind when I wake up at 5:00 a.m. today. Ideally, my day starts at 4:00 a.m., and I’m out by 5:15 a.m. I do this because I have to queue up at the park to pick up the early morning passengers.

The first passengers don’t arrive at the park until around 6:00 a.m., but everyone starts to line up from past 5. In this business, starting your day early is the only way things can add up. As the day progresses, so many money-consuming factors come into play. Things like car wahala, agbero, road safety people, Lagos hold up, etc. But in the morning, the day is still pregnant with possibilities.Starting early = more trips = more money.

I drive an old silver Sienna with peeling paint, a busted steering wheel and an engine that coughs like a sick patient. Whenever I’m loading from the park, my route is Kilo to Ojuelegba. But when I’m on charter, I drive from Ojuelegba to anywhere in Lagos: Badagry, Epe, Lekki, there’s nowhere I can’t go as long as it’s within Lagos.

I can’t afford to be choosy because I have gbese, and this driving is what’s helping me. After taking a ₦1M loan to buy this car, I have daily targets. If not, wahala. But still on still, gbese everywhere.

Here’s a backstory: I was running a business that needed cash flow, so I kept on borrowing money. However, it was never enough, and I ended up owing plenty people. To raise money, I took a loan from a microfinance bank and bought a car. The car, old Sienna, is what I will use to pay off my debts and expand my business. Now I owe both microfinance bank and individuals, but God is in control.

Back to the present: After panicking about waking up late, I get myself in order and think of ways to save my day. I decide that since my house is close to the bus stop, I’ll go park in the queue. Then I’ll rush home to have my bath and get ready. After, I’ll run back before the first passengers start coming out.

It seems that today might not end up being so bad after all.

TUESDAY:

I’m thinking about my children today. I have three kids. A 17-year-old boy and two girls who are 11 and 9. Then I also have my teenage niece who lives with us. Because I have to leave home early, the house chores fall on them. My niece and 11-year-old daughter are in charge of cooking. My son sweeps. My 9-year-old washes plates.

My job is to inspect when they’re done. During the day, I go back home 4-5 times to eat or oversee whatever tasks they’ve done. I know the work is not easy, but they have to bear with us. I’m struggling. Their dad, my husband, is also struggling.

When I started dating my husband, I thought he needed someone to help him gather himself and plan for the future. At that point, he had just returned from Russia because his cousin had messed him up. I was like, this is just a rough patch. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as I thought. Now that I’ve entered into marriage, there’s nothing I can do. I need to play my part in order not to mess up.

I hope my kids understand that it’s from the little we have that we’re providing for them. I hope they appreciate the sacrifices.

WEDNESDAY:

It’s barely 11:00 a.m, and my phone hasn’t stopped ringing. It’s the same number calling me. Some journalist/writer-type person has been trying to interview me for five weeks, but I’ve been busy.

Today, I’m on the queue waiting for my turn to load, so I have time. I pick the call and tell him to meet me at Ojuelegba. After 30 minutes, he arrives and we exchange greetings. I invite him inside the car to sit, and we make small talk before the interview starts.

Interviewer: Tell me about your job.

Me: I’m a driver, and I load passengers from Kilo to Ojuelegba or I do private charter.

I: What’s the hardest part of your job?

Me: It’s not easy working in a male-dominated field. My only saving grace is that I grew up amongst boys; I have an older brother and a twin brother. So I grew up building muscle from fighting men. Not having female friends meant I spent all my time with my brothers and their friends.

My [twin] brother always tried to chase me away, but I no dey gree. And even though he’s huge and muscular, I’d still fight him. In fact, I used to fight him until I got married. Gra gra life has been in my blood, but those days are gone — I thank God for God in my life now.

I: Thank God.

Me: So when I came into the park, the men here were trying to cheat me. But I showed them that I have their type at home, so they left me. Now we argue together, agree and disagree together. Sometimes when they want to cheat me on the queue, I’ll either let it go or claim my right. I might be a woman, but I have the mind of a man. Without that mentality, you can’t go far in this job.

I: Ah, I see.

Me: There are other challenges too. Every work has challenges, and there’s not one that’s easy. In this job, people will talk to you arrogantly. Others will ask why I didn’t give a man the car to drive for me. I’ve heard someone say I have ojukokoro for choosing to drive myself. On the other end, some people encourage me and say, “Madam, keep it up.”

At the end of the day, I can’t complain because nobody forced me. I’m the only one that knows what carried me here.

THURSDAY:

I’m grateful for this business because it gives me time for evangelism. Unlike door to door preaching, preaching in a car is “easier” for me. I start my sermons early in the morning and end them at about 10, 11 a.m. I like preaching in the car as I’m driving because people pay attention, especially when it’s still very early. At that time they’re not yet distracted by the requirements of living.

However, I’m not preaching today. Thursday is my work-free day. I spend the whole day in prayers asking God for grace in my life. Today’s prayer is special because I need a miracle. My car is faulty again, and I’m tired of repairing it. Last time, it cost me ₦300,000 to fix because I had a steering and alignment problem. I took a loan and added to my gbese.

My cup does not runneth over.

My prayer is simple: God, I need the bigger Sienna in my life because that car will solve most of my wahala. I know you will do it, and I just need to exercise patience. After all, Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

FRIDAY:

My people have a saying: a hungry man that sees pot and food on fire has hope that he/she will eat. This saying is part of what keeps me going. Even though Nigeria is hard, I know God has already done my breakthrough for me. That’s why I’m happy and grateful today. God has allowed me to be driving for six months now. He has also come through every time I could not meet my loan repayment.

My only prayer now is that God should not allow me to be so sick that I can’t work. I need good health to be able to repay my debts. I declare that I’ll not break down. I also declare that once I pay the over ₦700,000 debt I owe, I’ll be free.

I find comfort in Psalm 118 — I will not die but live and will proclaim what the LORD has done. The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.

God is with me, so I will not fail. Once my joy comes I know life will be easy. I’ll no longer worry about waking up at 4 or 5 a.m. I’ll finally be able to wake up at 6 or 7 a.m. like a normal person.

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.

Hassan Yahaya

June 22, 2021

Hustle

awitl, Cab driver, hustle, Lagos, Ojuelegba
5 Nigerians Talk To Us About Their Side Hustles
Even if you’re not engaged in one side hustle or the other, you definitely have friends and family members for whom this is a reality.

5 Nigerians shared their side hustle stories with us. Read on. You might get an idea for yours.

Amy, 24

I started my side hustle because of hairs. I like all these material things a lot; the gadgets, clothes, slay mama looks, but unfortunately, I can’t afford it. I came across a page on Instagram selling mad ass hairs but extremely pricey, say, 200k plus. So, I resorted to stalking them. Finally, a friend of mine told me that she could get the hair for me at an affordable rate – 50k thereabout. Awoof dey run belle sha, because when I eventually got the hair, it was pure unadulterated synthetic. Not even the good kind of synthetic hair. I cried, then decided to start a business to afford the lifestyle I wanted. Currently, I sell different things – bags, waist trainers, and others. I initially started with hair, but that didn’t last. I found it too difficult and stressful although it is very lucrative. If you know how much these people are making! My advice for anyone who wants to start a side hustle is: don’t start anything without adequate capital, and be very loving with your clients.

Fave, 20

I’m currently serving and working as a face-to-face fundraiser. I started this side hustle thing as a source of extra income in the university, 200 level to be precise. I went to a private school and they didn’t let us cook, so we had to buy food. My dad gave me pocket money, but he didn’t really understand that I needed to buy clothes, handouts, shoes, extra food (because I can’t comman kill myself) and chill with friends. So I decided to work for my own money. I was literally the most reliable and affordable seller of female accessories in my whole school and I didn’t save a dime! That was my biggest mistake and it affected me after graduation. But we learn and relearn so, I’m becoming better in that aspect.I got into fundraising about two months ago while searching for a PPA in Abuja. Nobody tells you that the starting point of all these things is not easy at alll. My friend who introduced me to the NGO made the role seem so interesting, but then I started the job and I’m like, ‘this adulting is not for me now😭.’ Asides working as a fundraiser, I still have my business selling female accessories. I love my job because it gives me a chance to serve humanity and it is satisfying! I would recommend that every lady read Smart Money Woman and Smart Money Tribe. Then most importantly, SAVE. If you come across very reasonable investments too, invest, but make sure you get proper advice before going into it sha.

KC, 23

I started selling shoes, clothes, bags and every other fashion accessory in January. Before then, I never thought I’d venture into anything business until very much later in my life. My life plans revolved around academics, but corona, ASUU strike, and the poor academic system in the country made me rethink. I felt I was wasting away and not being productive. Every skill I wanted to learn cost a lot, so I just started a side hustle. Currently, I no longer see education as ‘the key’ and especially not in this country, Nigeria. I’m on the lookout for other prospects that will help my survival in the country. My business is online (mostly drop shipping). I lose customers sometimes because they have to pay before I supply as I don’t have the goods ready and they can’t come around to pick-up. I’m planning on running ads on multiple social media platforms because it helps with visibility and with visibility comes sales and profits. It’s not a smooth sailing side business, but it pays off eventually with consistency and advertising. My advice to anyone who wants to start a side hustle is to always have a plan B. Our country is wack and unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like there is any hope for now and in the nearest future. Concerning side hustles, consistency is key. It might look like things aren’t going well in the beginning. Don’t focus on that, in the end, your efforts will pay off if you work smart. As for me, I won’t stop my side hustle even if more lucrative opportunities come along. I am very ambitious and hopefully, this mini online store I run would turn into something bigger in the future.

Toju, 26

I work two jobs – one as a full time associate with a Big 4 in Lagos, and the second as a freelance “any work” as long as it has to do with computers. Basically, anything from building websites to building financial models and business plans, CVs, LinkedIn profiles, marketing decks, abroad school applications, and every now and then I write essays and have written a couple dissertations for abroad MBA students. I don’t code or anything. I can just figure out how to use a software, be it R studio for data analysis, Excel for modeling or Joomla and Wix for building sites. So far, I have made say 2 million in 2 years which just goes to show you that a lot of people are not willing to pay, or are unable to pay and it’s a shame, because I’m pretty good at all the things I do. That’s why I barely advertise and I keep getting referrals.I started this side hustle because my salary is not enough. Problem is, I do the side hustle to supplement and it’s still not enough. I hate that I have to do so much and still be broke. Oluwa I’m working hard. If I was to quit this hustle, I’ll probably create a model where I help with business plans and the financials for a smaller fee. Then I’ll continue to provide consulting services for a small percentage of profits. Say, around 5 – 10%. I want to get to a point where I can sit back and be collecting alat. What I would say to someone who wants to start a side hustle is: you need to learn a lot and learn very quickly but never at the expense of quality. It’s also good to have friends that are experienced in what you’re going into so they can let you know if what you’re doing is okoto meow.

Jemilade, 25

I’m not currently employed under any organisation. I used to work for a fashion house as their pattern drafter but I got sacked 8 months into. I’ve always loved to work with my hands and by myself, so I took it as the universe’s way of affirming that narrative. My only sources of income are the three businesses I run. Luckily for me, they’re sort of intertwined because they all have to do with creativity. The only downside is their time-consuming nature. To deal with that, I’ve got in-house tailors handling the production of clothes when we get orders down. I’ve also got some trusty hairdressers on speed dial that can handle hair jobs as they come. I see myself continuing these in the long run, that’s why I’m taking the time to build up a solid foundation. I don’t want them being “side hustles” alone. I see them as strong bodies capable of booming in the nearest future, such that they will become the main gigs.
You can successfully live a life of dual hustles e.g Photographer and Forex trader. Find more information here.
Susan Nwaobiala

June 18, 2021

Money

hustle, Jobs, money, Nigerians