On March 10 2020, I published the first-ever “A Week In The Life” story. It addressed the struggles of a female Keke driver who was punching her weight in a male-dominated field while also doubling as a breadwinner. This theme of understanding people’s work struggles set the tone for the rest of the episodes in the series.
Since then, I’ve spoken to over 40 Nigerians with different jobs, struggles, and wins. These stories have opened minds, sparked conversations, and changed the life of subjects along the way.
As the year comes to a close, I’ve gathered 10 of the biggest hits in this series.
1) A Week In The Life Of An NCDC Call Centre Agent
Today’s subject is Joke, a call centre agent at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). She tells us how her life has changed since Coronavirus was first announced and what she looks forward to the most after the pandemic is over.
Read here.
2) A Week In The Life Of A Sex Worker
Today’s subject is *Yemi, a 27-year old sex worker who tells us how sex work has affected her outlook on life.
Trigger warning: Strong content of drug use and rape ahead.
Read here.
3) A Week In The Life: The Agbero Trusting God For A Better Life
The subject for today’s “A Week In The Life” is *Tola. He collects money at the bus park, and he’s what Nigerians refer to as Agbero. He talks about wanting to quit his job, his faith in God and why he shows up every day.
Read here.
4) A Week In The Life: A Sex Toy Seller Juggling Business With Her Christian Faith
Today’s subject is Amope, a Nigerian woman who sells sex toys. She walks us through business during COVID, her Christian faith, and not being ashamed to promote her business using her face.
Read here.
5) “People Ask Me For Body Parts” – A Week In The Life Of A Mortician
The subject for today is Mr A, a mortician. He talks about his first day on the job, people asking him for human parts, and why he lives intentionally.
Read here.
6) A Week In The Life Of A Coffin Maker
Today’s subject is Chief Ogunsekan, a coffin maker. He tells us how being the boundary between the living and dead has shaped his outlook of the world.
Read here.
7) A Week In The Life: The Online Sex Worker Who Hates Her Body
The subject of today’s “A Week In The Life” is an online sex worker in her early twenties. She talks about hating her body, the Nigerian factors like NEPA that affect her work, and her biggest fear of one day getting exposed.
Read here.
8) A Week In The Life: Jumia Delivery Agent By Day, Family Man By Night
The subject for today’s A Week In The Life is Micheal, a Jumia delivery agent. He walks us through combining being a delivery agent with fatherhood. The challenges of business in a pandemic and his plans for the future.
Read here.
9) A Week In The Life: A Tanker Driver Living Her Best Life
The subject of today’s A Week In The Life is Adeyemi, a tanker driver. She tells us about being a woman in a male-dominated field, dreaming big, and discovering herself through her job.
Read here.
10) “I Don’t Want People To Say I Eat Too Much”— A Week In The Life Of A House Help
The subject of today’s “A Week In The Life” is Mercy. She’s a house help in her early twenties. She talks about leaving home to come to Lagos, the difficulties of her job and how bosses can be mean to house helps.
Read 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, don’t hesitate to reach out. Reach out to me: hassan@bigcabal.com if you want to be featured on this series.
COMPONENT NOT FOUND: donation
