The Working Girls of Lekki
This is one of our most unusual and revealing in the series. Working Lives provides insights into the lives and finances of people on low-incomes or in “offbeat” vocations. The world’s oldest form of self-employment remains “off-beat” after all these centuries but the incomes of the ladies we spoke to-at an average of N100,000 per week- is by no means modest. We have of course used the “working names” of the ladies. Read and discover the different reasons why they started the “hustle”, the different things they do with the income, their different plans for the future and more.
Temitope
“I failed a course when I was in 200 level just because I couldn’t pay my fees on time. I was so mad that I just decided to start selling my body for money”.
Where are you from?
My dad is a Ghanaian. My mother is a Nigerian woman from Edo state. We used to live in Ghana and only came to Nigeria on holiday. My dad has a business here. He sells used clothes, shoes and bags. There is a large market in Nigeria for okrika. My dad has been in the business for more than 20 years. He met my mom while coming to Nigeria to trade. My mom is a full house wife. She assists dad with the business sometimes. Some of my siblings are still in Ghana while some are here in Nigeria.
Tell me about your education
I did primary and secondary school in Ghana but my dad wanted me to go to university in Nigeria. So, I came here to complete secondary school and got into the University of Lagos.
So how did you get into runz?
I suppose you have already guessed. It all started from UNILAG. My parents always made sure they provided the necessities. They really tried but it was either the money wasn’t enough or it came late. I failed a course when I was in 200 level just because I couldn’t pay my fees on time. I was so mad that I just decided to start selling my body for money. Let me just tell you now that I do not feel bad about it. I had friends that were already into it so it was a question of making up my mind to join them. What had held me back was thinking of and being worried about all my parents had told me about being involved in things like this. But I decided I needed the money. So here I am.
Who are your clients and are some of them loyal to you?
People that can pay for my services of course. Whether you are old or young, I really do not mind, as long as the person can afford to pay for my service. Yes, I have some steady clients that call me often to spend time with them. We hang out and relax then retire to their houses or a hotel. Some ask me to come to them during the day. Otherwise, I come to bars like this. I also hang around clubs, hotels or malls looking for clients. Sometimes I stand at busy road junctions.
What’s the highest sum you have been paid?
I got N300k for a week. The client came in from the UK and wanted someone he could chill with during his stay. The Uber driver taking him around Lagos brought him to where I was here in Farm City. We got talking and he liked my vibe. He then proposed that I spend a week with him. He was white otherwise I would not have agreed. I really don’t trust Lagos guys enough to agree to spend a week with them after just a few hours of meeting. It’s not possible.
Do you ever worry about your safety?
Yes of course, which is why I am always so cautious about the kind of clients I spend the night with. Once I sense your body language and my spirit doesn’t go with the person, I would just give a very high price I know they wouldn’t be able to pay. Or just tell them NO bluntly.
Have you had any funny experience with a client, whereby they refuse to pay you ?
I had a situation like that twice. One said something about how I didn’t satisfy him so he was not going to pay me for my service. I got very aggressive and made a scene at the hotel. He had to pay up. Lagos is a very crazy place; one needs to be crazy in other to survive.
Also Read: Working Lives: The Area Boy Who Doesn’t Want His Son to Turn Out Like Him
How much do you make in a good week?
I make at least N100k every weekend. So, money for one weekend can provide for my feeding through the month.
Do you have savings?
Yes. I save about N50,000 every month. I cannot save more than this because of my personal upkeep. I have to buy expensive human hair, cream, perfume and other beauty accessories. You need this investment to attract quality clients. I plan to save up for butt enlargement surgery.
Any investments?
For now, the only things I am investing in are my education and my body. I use a lot of expensive supplements and multivitamins to stay fresh. I also do blood tests every month. I am afraid of STDs. I use condoms with clients but I do without them at times. Anyway, condoms do tear at times while you are working.
What do you want to do with your degree?
Honestly speaking, I have no idea yet. I don’t think any certificate would fetch me as much money as I am making right now. When the time comes, I will decide. But for now make I just dey jaiye mi lo (let me just keep enjoying myself). If I meet a committed man that is ready to settle down with me after school, why not? I would go for it.
