Working Lives: The Petrol Attendant Who Sponsors His Own Education at Yaba Tech

Working Lives: The Petrol Attendants of Lagos

This is a somewhat “boring” Working Lives. There is nothing “coded” or spectacular to discover about how the job is done or its inner workings. Our interviewees all readily accept that selling fuel requires basic skills that could be acquired in a day with one explaining that customers operate the pumps themselves abroad. But this series is as spectacular as always regarding the insights it offers into the lives of Nigerians on low incomes. It is a very poorly paid job; the highest salary is N30,000:00. Yet, the petrol attendants manage to have savings, pay for higher education and support family members. Most of them also have skills like repairing cars and tailoring and are hoping to one day have the funds to set themselves up in more lucrative lines of work. 

“I would like to own a medicine store. I am an Igbo boy and I know how this business thing works. As a kid I was always attending to customers in the shop when my parents were away. Once school is over there is no guarantee that one would even get a job. So if I can get enough capital to start, I am good to go into selling medicine. My certificate will only be there to prove to myself that I went to school and graduated”.

 Where are you from?

I am from Imo State. I was born in Owerri. I was born in Imo state but I grew up in Lagos. We relocated when I was very young.

When did you get to Lagos?

I actually can’t remember the exact year because I was still a kid then. But I can remember vividly that I was still in primary 5 when we moved to Lagos.

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

I attended Lagos State Model College in Meiran. I graduated in 2014.

Tell me about your family?

I come from a family of 4. I am the 3rd child. My father has a medicine store, what people normally call a chemist. My mom also helps with the shop when my dad is not around. It’s more or less like they both run the business together. We moved to Lagos because things were not so smooth for my parents and my uncle said he had an apartment he could allow us stay for free in Lagos. It’s a two-bedroom apartment in the same compound where he lives. We have been living there since I was a kid. Let’s just say for more than 15 years now.

Where do you live and how much is the rent?

I still live with my parents. This is not the time to move out just yet. I am still trying to get a hold of life.

Also Read: Working Lives:  The Baba Ijebu Agent Who Runs Two Shops But Still Lives With Parents

How did you start working at this petrol station?

Well, I actually didn’t plan to work as a petrol attendant. After secondary school, I knew my parents were not really in a position to pay for me to further my education. Coincidentally, this petrol station was being built then so I just applied for a job here. I live around here. I was able to talk to one or two people that I was familiar with who knew the owner. One of them was able to slot me in because there were a lot of people trying to get the job. He helped me secure a spot. And that was how I started working as a petrol attendant.

Did you go through some sort of training before you could start operating the fuel pump?

Yes but there isn’t so much to learn really. It’s just basic knowledge on how to operate the nozzle. It doesn’t require any special skill. Abroad, people fill their tanks by themselves at petrol stations, there are no attendants.

For how long have you been doing this job?

I started in 2015 so this is my 5th year on the job.

Is there a form of hierarchy or ranking in this job?

No there isn’t. Apart from those in the administrative department. But for we that are operating the nozzle, we are all on the same level.

How many hours do you work in a day? 

We are required to open by 8am and close by 10pm. Apart from weekends when we close by 11pm.

What’s your best day like?

Days when I get tips are my best days on the job. Sometimes when customers come around I get a tip of about N500:00 – N1,000:00. I mean big people with flashy cars not those regular customers. The tips make a big difference.  I get to eat good food when they come.

How much are you paid? 

I get paid N25,000:00 monthly. From this money I am able to sponsor my education at Yaba Tech. I study part time there.

How do your bosses check to know how much fuel you have sold for the day? 

Each fuel pump has a particular liters of petrol in it. So when we come in the morning the manager and everyone else confirm and check how much liters of petrol you have in the fuel pump assigned to you. And that’s how they monitor. So the amount of money you are going to be remitting to the accountant later in the day has to tally with the liters of petrol you have sold.

Also Read: Working Lives: The Baba Ijebu Agent and Fashion Designer Who Saves N7, 000 a Week

Is there a designated amount of money you have to remit daily? 

No, there isn’t. Whatever amount you have sold for the day is what you will remit.

How much do you spend in a day? 

It depends. Now that school is not in session I spend just N400 at most. I don’t spend money on transport to come to work daily because I live close by. But when school was in session, I spend between N1,000:00 to N1,500:00. 

Have you ever opened a bank account?

Yes, I did that a long time ago. Even before I left secondary school.

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

Yes, I do. I always try so hard to save N5,000:00 ever month. Sometimes I am not always able to meet that target. I might need to buy some books in school and pay for other things.

Are you married or looking forward to getting married soon?

Hahaha. I am not married o. I don’t even have a girlfriend yet. Let me just focus on my education and on making money.

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

I would like to own a medicine store. I am an Igbo boy and I know how this business thing works. As a kid I was always attending to customers in the shop when my parents were away. Once school is over there is no guarantee that one would even get a job. So, if I can get enough capital to start, I am good to go into selling medicine. My certificate will only be there to prove to myself that I went to school and graduated.