How Nigerian Startup Workers are Living Through the Fuel Crisis

In the June 4, 2023 issue of our newsletter, we gave room for readers to share their experiences with the recent hike in fuel price, and we got a collection of rants and tirades about how hellish the past week has been.

“For me, the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy didn’t hit me until I spent N500 on bike just for moving within my estate. The next blow and true reality hit me when I had to spend twice the regular fair for the same trip! Ah! Please let me know when you eventually find that transporting broom so I can share it with you biko!” says the first mail from Tunde, a Brand Consultant.

The newsletter contained a wizardry innuendo. Nothing scary, just a suggestion to would-be startup founders to take a break from the usual and hop on the flying broom as a tech Innovation —pun intended. Harry Potter made it a popular emblem associated with sorcery, and over the years, it has become a necessary imagery for discussions surrounding witchcraft. With the recent sudden hike in fuel prices in Nigeria, since the 29th of May, it might as well become a needed alternative for Nigerians to survive the hell that transportation has become, especially for 9-5 workers who have to get to work every day.

The flying broom humor aside, moving to and fro work recently has been a major issue for many Nigerians who cannot afford to keep up with the increase in fuel prices.

President Tinubu’s subsidy removal speech

On Monday, 29th of May, Nigeria’s one-week-old president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, mentioned in his first presidential speech, plans to stop payment of fuel subsidies, channeling funds to strengthen other areas of the economy. The speech had barely ended when the hike in fuel price hit the market, sending the nation into a week of power and transport disruption.

While everyone across all spheres is affected, the average working-class demography whose daily routine involves moving and powering gadgets to work seems to have the most horrid stories to tell.

For Kiki, it’s outright hellish and frustrating, bringing back the pains of losing a chance to move out of the country last year.

“Don’t let me get started on what I have had to experience this week, walking to and fro work. At least I get to lose weight. But the annoying thing for me is that I could have avoided this if my plans of moving abroad had worked last year. Everything was set already and I was ready to leave this country for good, but paper delays and more cost me that opportunity and my hatred for this place has skyrocketed. The good thing about this is that my bosses are understanding. We all got a tip on the last day of May and resumption times have become flexible.”

How startup employers are handling it

Her saving grace is how understanding her employers are with the situation. What makes the startup ecosystem different from other spaces such as multinationals or civil service is the close-knittedness, and a few startup employers are more understanding, allowing room for flexibility and incentives that help their workers mitigate the season.

“This season is one of those when I’m reminded that not all HRs are from hell,” Kiki continues, “He practically set up a meeting with management to discuss this and they made things easy for us. But it doesn’t take away the stress and the annoyance for me.”

Remote workers are affected too

But just when you think only 9-5ers are at the receiving end of this, remote workers are having “an interesting time working from the discomfort of their homes” as well.

“NEPA and NNPC seem to be working together,” says Adeniyi, a project manager who works hybrid.

“I went to church on Sunday with my gadgets and even overstayed beyond my normal worship hours just to make sure my devices are fully charged. The only reason I buy fuel at such a crazy price is because of my baby. I have a 5-month-old son who I can’t risk sleeping in the heat. I even have to spend more on other things aside from fuel. But for work, I make sure I take good advantage of my office days now. The struggle is real!”

For Anthony, working fully remotely has lost the appeal it once had, not even when he has a co-workspace a stone’s throw from his house.

“The only thing I don’t miss about going to work every day is the traffic. If I were staying outside Lagos, maybe working on-site would do it for me,” he says, “My co-workspace increased its charges and it has affected what I budgeted for it monthly since the beginning of the year. Last Friday, the facility guy switched on the generator an hour late because he had to hunt for fuel. And between our epileptic power supply and this crazy fuel price, working from my room is a shortcut to suicide.”

Being Nigerian is an entire experience. With these recurring situations that pose challenges to work and daily living, finding ways to cope and live is another sport on its own. And beyond the responses we got in the newsletter, many other Nigerian are finding their own ways to win through the hike.

Thriving through a career community

Not many will be lucky to find themselves working in an environment where the management is understanding enough to put in helpful measures in times like this. Toxic workplaces are still a thing, although more startups are getting the memo —no one wants to be dragged on the streets of Twitter. This will be one of those times when belonging to a community and finding a good place to work will become the priority next steps in career journeys.

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