Working Lives: The Man Who Left His Family So He Could Become A Street Sweeper

Working Lives: The Street Sweepers of Lagos

 As fashionable office work becomes harder to find, more Nigerians are turning to the market for unskilled labour to survive. In Lagos, this new class of blue-collar workers includes graduates of polytechnics and universities who are employed as street sweepers. This Working Lives series talks to them about their past lives, their experience on the job, how they make ends meet, and their aspirations.

Working Lives: The Man Who Left His Family So He Could Become A Street Sweeper

We work hard, but we still must beg for our salaries. I also want you to quote me as I have said it here during the interview. Do not edit anything. At the end of July, the government would owe us salaries for three months. I want those up there to see how we are struggling. 

Where are you from?

I am an indigene of Iyewa in Ogun State.  I was born there. My parents also live there.

When did you get to Lagos?

I cannot really remember the exact year. I got to Lagos when I came for my junior secondary school education, but after that, I went back to Ogun State to complete my secondary school education. After I got my secondary school leaving certificate, I went to a polytechnic. I am also a footballer.

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

I have an OND from the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro. I studied Business Administration, and I graduated in 1993.

Tell me about your family

My dad was a very successful businessman. He was hardworking.  He was also into politics. But he is now late. My mom is a trader, she sells provision. I have five brothers and sisters. We all grew up in Lagos.

Where do you live and how much is the rent?

I live in Ikotun, where I pay N6,000 monthly for a room and parlour.

You come all the way from Ikotun every day?

Yes, I know it is far but I have no option. I really do not want to talk about my experience. The truth is the government allows us to clean Lagos streets close to anywhere we live.  But I can’t work close to where I live because I don’t want people in my neighbourhood to see that I work as a street sweeper. I asked our bosses to transfer me far away to Meiran.  I stay with a family member around here and go to Ikotun occasionally to see my family.

Also Read: Working Lives: The Street Sweeper Who Used to Employ 67 People

What were you doing before you started working as a street sweeper?

I was into the Fan Milk business. I delivered Fan Milk yoghurt to retailers.  I had enough customers to keep the business running with good profit. My mother fell ill. Her illness went on for a while. The treatment consumed all my working capital plus even savings. I am grateful to God she survived.

How did you start work as a street sweeper?

I got the job through someone, one of my sisters who knew someone who could help. My sister advised me to take the job instead of staying idle.

Did you go through some training before you could start the job?

I went for training for about 6 months. I was reluctant at first to start the job because of the stigma that comes with it. My sister persuaded me to start.

What are you expected to do when you get to work every morning?

First, we sign an attendance record. Next, we proceed to our designated portion for the day. It’s measured by the distance between electric poles.  So there is nothing like a misunderstanding or someone going to sweep another person’s portion.

For how long have you been doing this job?

I started during Ambode’s regime in 2017. About three years and some months ago.

Is there any form of promotion in this job?

There is nothing like that. We are all the same. But when the new Governor Sanwo-Olu assumed office, we heard that the B.Sc. degree and HND degree holders amongst us were promoted as supervisors. But later, we heard that politics was involved. Not everyone who has a higher degree was shortlisted. You know how Nigeria is. They always involve politics in everything.

How many hours do you work in a day? 

We resume by 6:30am and close by 1 p.m. Before now, we always worked from Monday-Saturday and we always did shifts, some did the morning shift until 12 p.m. and others took over from 12 p.m. to 4  p.m. Those who did morning shifts in a week did the afternoon shift the following week.  But it has changed. It is no longer so organised.

What is your best day like?

Also Read: Working Lives: The Street Sweeper Who Used to Be a Basic Science Teacher

The major issue here is not the job itself. It is the payment of salaries. They hardly pay our salaries on time. They have not paid us for two months. If this month ends now, it will be the third month. We also cannot quit. Where do you get another job? The government knows that we do not have a choice because of the current crisis in the country. So we can only hope. I also want you to quote me as I have said it here during the interview. Do not edit anything. I want those up there to see how we are struggling so hard. We work hard but we still must beg for our salaries.

How much are you paid? 

They pay us N25,000 monthly. There is nothing to hide about that. It is so sad.

How much do you spend in a day? 

Before the pandemic hit, I spent N150 daily. Whenever I was broke, I trekked to work to save more money so I could send something to my family in Ikotun.

Have you ever opened a bank account?

Yes, sure, I have a bank account.

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

I used to save money when I had the Fan Milk business. The business was booming. I even got a loan of up to N1 million from microfinance banks to expand. But with this work, how much do I earn that I will now save from it? Especially with my wife and kids at home.

Are you married or looking forward to getting married?

Yes, I am happily married with 3 kids. I got married in 2013.

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

Yes, I plan to go back to my fan-milk business. I have all the resources needed to put the fan-milk business back on track.  Money is the problem.

My generator is still working very well.  The property in which I produce the yoghurt is also still intact. Money is the only thing holding me back.