Working Lives

Working Lives: The Mai Shai Who Was Set up By a Lekki Madam 

Working Lives: The Mai Shais of Agege

You never know where a WL series takes you. This hot Mai Shai series is supposed to be about tea, noodles, bread etc. but it has turned out to be about migration, poverty, education etc. within Nigeria. (to places like Lekki) And about extraordinary luck and human kindness. It will make you realise how extremely privileged you are. You may also be surprised to witness the spirit of enterprise amongst very poor Nigerians and how hard work moves them up the economic ladder.

The Mai Shai Who Was Set up By a Lekki Madam

ALIYU ADAMU

She discovered I was sending almost everything she paid me back home. So one day she told me to look for something I could do that would bring me extra cash. She also told me to ask another of my siblings to join me in Lagos so he too could start helping the family and ease our parents’ burden. She then gave me N50,000:00 on this blessed day and told me to start the Mai Shai business.


Where are you from?

I am from Sokoto state. I grew up in a town called Dandi.

What school did you attend and when did you leave school? 

I attended just primary school. Then I studied Arabic at home for two years.

Tell us about your family

My dad digs wells for people and he also helps in drilling boreholes. He has a plug all around town in Sokoto. So any new construction site that needs a well they put a call through to him. My mom is late. She died when I was still a kid. My dad has been the one taking care of us. I have 6 siblings. My father married another woman who has three kids. We are three from my mother.

When did you get to Lagos?

I got to Lagos in 2013. My dad lived in Lagos briefly. He connected me to a woman who sold very expensive fabrics on Lagos Island. I started working with her. My dad had dug a well for her when he was living in Lagos. I was working for her carrying fabrics from the store to the shop and was also doing  other minor chores at her house.

Also Read: Working Lives: The Nurse Who Saved the Life of an IVF Baby Alone

Where do you live and how much is the rent?

I currently live in the Boys Quarters in my Madam’s house in Lekki. Like I said earlier I was helping her with moving fabrics from the store to the shop. She saw that I was very hard working and after working with her for several years she took me in like her I was her own child. So I live rent free now. But before then I was squatting with a friend that lives in Sabo, Yaba.

How did you start the Mai Shai business?

So after several years of working at the fabric store I became like part of my madam’s family. She knew how life was for us back home. She discovered I was sending almost everything she paid me back home. So one day she told me to look for something I could do that would bring me extra cash. She also told me to ask another of my siblings to join me in Lagos so he too could start helping the family and ease our parents’ burden. She then gave me N50,000:00 on this blessed day and told me to start the Mai Shai business.

Mai ShaiHow much did it cost you to establish?

From the initial N50,000 she gave me, I used N25,000:00. I did not need to get a space. Because my Mai Shai shop was exactly right beside the house. Majority of my customers are workers around the estate and my fellow northerners that live here with their bosses

For how long have you been in the business?

I started in 2015 so I have been in the business for almost 5 years now.

How much do you make in a day?

On a good day I make N15,000:00 from sales. Sometimes I do not make up to that simply because I am not really in a commercial area like the other Mai Shai guys. But I am still grateful to God for this opportunity. I get to save the salary from the fabric store job now. I just use the profit from the business to sustain myself and send money back home.

What is your best day like?

When there is construction going on around the estate and workers come in bulk to patronize me. I am always so happy. I get to make more money on such days.

Mai Shai

Also Read: Working Lives: The Paediatric Nurse Who Has a Nose for Trending Merchandise

How many hours do you work in a day? 

For the Mai Shai business, I only open in the evening. Because I must be at my madam’s fabric store during the day to help with moving the fabrics as usual.  I come back home later in the day and prepare for work in the evening. I operate my Mai Shai business between 5:30pm to 8:30 or 9pm at most.

How much do you spend in a day? 

Honestly, this whole opportunity is a big blessing for me. I do not really spend so much in a day. When I am going to the store at Lagos Island in the morning, my madam mostly drops me off and then on days when she does not, she gives me money for transport fare. And there is also food at home. So I do not get to spend anything. The only days when I get to spend my money is only when I need to refill my gas or get ingredients. And that is just about N3,000:00 at most.

Have you ever opened a bank account?

Yes, I have an account with Ecobank.

Do you have savings and how much do you save in a month? 

Yes, I save my monthly salary. I get paid N30,000 monthly. So, all I spend is just the profit from the Mai Shai business.

Are you married or are you looking forward to getting married?

I am not married yet but I am looking forward to getting married. Let us see how next year goes for me.

Any other job or business you would like to venture into?

I have never thought of venturing into another job or leaving this business. My madam takes very good care of me and that is enough comfort. So why would I want to leave? I am ready to serve her if I am still welcomed here. She is such a nice person.

Oluwatomi Otuyemi

Oluwatomi Otuyemi, a Geology graduate from Crawford University, has 5 years experience in corporate corporate communications. He has a passion for storytelling, and investigative reporting.

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One Comment

  1. Wow such a humanity feelings , she is a good woman. If all the bosses could have been like this all at least boys would have changed from red light to yellow light at least it not too having yellow light

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