"On These Corporate Streets: Vox Pop Edition" seeks to hear the voices of young career professionals in Africa who share their individual experiences on subjects many can relate to. Today’s edition takes a look into the subject of job loss and how young Nigerians are thriving.
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You have heard about the massive resignations that happened recently, leaving startups and companies in limbo, short of skills and talents. But there’s also the wave of lay offs hitting employees across the world, especially within the startup space.
Just yesterday, 31st of August, news came out that Ghana’s social and technology company, Viamo joined the list of startups within the ecosystem who have had to lay off a number of staff. Before then, there’s been several others within Nigeria, and even within big companies such as Netflix and Tesla. And as of June 2022, Nairametrics reports that about 15, 781 workers have been laid off across the globe.
This whirlwind of job loss is attributed to a general economic downturn, which unfortunately might still continue for a while, according to experts’ projections. However, on a micro scale, there are several other reasons for job loss.
In this article, you’d read the stories of five young Nigerians who have lost their jobs in recent years, and the different reasons that contribute to this.
Esohe
My experience still hurts to this day, but God has been good. I worked at this big firm and the company was doing well. I was earning enough to feed myself, care for my parents and siblings, live a soft life, and still save. Guy, I had my own official car and apartment. In fact, we expanded outside Nigeria and I was posted to another African country to resume our branch there.
Everything was going well until one December when we were all told to converge in Nigeria for an end-of-the-year event, and that was it. The company had been having some external issues with regulatory bodies or so, and was eventually shut down. We all had to leave and find other jobs. I couldn’t return to the country I was living, where my life literally was. It felt like drama at first but it wasn’t funny. Investors were falling into depression, my colleagues and I were seriously job-hunting, and while every other person was getting jobs, it felt like nothing was coming forth
I went from being the breadwinner to having to ask for money from my parents and siblings. Eventually, I settled in Lagos and got a job but the pay was terrible Imagine going from earning more than half a million to earning approximately 150K. It even felt more terrible because my former company had a great work culture and friendly environment; we were all excited at work. The other job I got was the opposite, making me bitter at every slightest provocation.
But it’s getting better. I still cry and feel bad when I think about those days, but I know I’m good at my job and there will always be greater opportunities for me.
Eric
I was a banker until the massive layoff in 2020. I think every employee is conscious of the possibility of being fired or laid off, but no one was expecting something wild like COVID and what it would do to job owners. It was a terrible period. Fortunately for me, I’m not married and my family members are doing quite alright on their own so there was no dependent to be worried about. But I was broke sha, and I didn’t like the job-seeking experience.
Eventually, I got a job with the federal government and I’m okay. I have learnt my lesson, and even though everything seems to be going on well, I’m on my toes now. You may think I’m paranoid but Eric will never be caught unawares again. Never!
Have you read this: 8 things you should do after getting fired?
Folasade
Let me paint the picture for you; salary is delayed, you complain, friday comes and you close for the week, you get your salary alert over the weekend alongside a mail from the HR saying you shouldn’t bother resuming on Monday. That’s my story.
I was an administrative officer and I had to be at work before anyone else and also leave after everyone because of my job functions. When the salary delay came, it was fraustrating. It wasn’t just about being unable to flex and spend my hard earned money, how would I commute to work and eat? It was written over my face that I wasn’t happy with it, just like everyone else. I even resumed late on that last friday because I couldn’t get money for t.fare although I called in sick.
I wasn’t surprised when the email came in, telling me not to bother resuming. The job was tiring stressful and the company was in a crisis period. I think I only stayed there sef because there was nothing else to do at that moment.
Olajide
I was laid off from this company where I thought I would stay for long. Before it happened, I was on a mock promotion; I was made head of a unit without any salary increase yet, until I would meet a set target and get a review. This promotion even came because I had a good record, I believe. During that period, there were a lot of mishaps across all units and revenue wasn’t coming in. Management meetings became gbas-gbos and it was clear that we won’t be able to meet our goals.
Then, I was told I would no longer head the unit, and the only offer for me in the company was to join another unit. It was like a demotion to the lowest level. Guy, I couldn’t take it and I had to choose the other obvious option. We move!
Anayo*
I was fired, not laid off. Lol. But I won’t blame the management sha, every leader wants assets, not liabilities. I was in deep financial mess, no thanks to my high spirits always jumping at any business opportunity. Eventually, I was in debts and my salary wasn’t staying past a day in my account. I had to find extra hustles to augment, and that was when my productivity began to drop.
I came out plain to the Head of People and Culture, hoping they would understand. I did my best and tried to make sure my side hustles didn’t affect things, but it didn’t work. Soon, I was queried, and eventually asked to leave.
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Job loss comes unexpectedly, and like Eric said, you shouldn't be caught unawares. From side hustles to building skills that would make you the top choice for other companies, you really shouldn't sleep on this. Be prepared and keep your spicy as often as possible; companies are firing and companies are hiring!