Hotzman™ nag-retweet
I’m Tomi, 25, a UNILAG graduate.
My NYSC posting was to the Ministry of Education, Lagos Island. My heart dropped. I lived in Abule Egba with my aunt.
Transport from Abule Egba to CMS cost ₦1,500–₦2,000 one way by danfo and bus, ₦3,000–₦4,000 round trip. Five days a week would mean ₦60,000–₦80,000 monthly.
My allowance was ₦77,000. I’d have nothing left.
Camp ended Friday. I was to resume Monday.
I called my mum in Ibadan. “Mum, I can’t. After transport, I’ll have ₦0 for food. I’ll reject it.”
She said, “Tomi, go on Monday. Don’t decide from fear.”
Monday at 5:30 AM, I boarded a danfo. It cost ₦1,800 to CMS. I reached the Ministry at 10 AM, one hour late, sweaty, stressed, and ashamed.
I was ready to be shouted at. Instead, the HOD, Mrs. Akin, asked, “Where do you stay?”
“Abule Egba, ma.”
She paused. “You people from the Mainland are suffering. Go to Room 12. We just started a hybrid team.”
Room 12 had four other corps members. “You’ll come in only on Mondays and Wednesdays for meetings. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays you work from home. We’ll give you a ₦10,000 monthly stipend for data.”
Mondays and Wednesdays: ₦3,500 × 2 days × 4 weeks = ₦28,000.
Allowance ₦77,000 + stipend ₦10,000 - transport ₦28,000 = ₦59,000 left for food, savings, and sending home.
Month 2, Mrs. Akin said: “Your captions are good. My friend needs a social media manager for ₦90,000/month.”
I took it.
Month 9: Allowance ₦77k + side gig ₦90k = ₦167k/month.
Last week of service, Mrs. Akin gave me a letter: “Communications Officer. ₦200,000/month. Resume after your service.”
I moved out of my aunt’s to a flat in Yaba for ₦450k/year.
I almost rejected the posting to Lagos Island.
Now I’m glad the one that almost broke me is the one that paid me 🥹
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