Let me start by saying this is not your usual “the boss doesn’t pay well” complaint. In Abeokuta today, the feeling of being overworked, underpaid, and undervalued among Nigerian workers is a deep, everyday reality that goes beyond just the paltry salary figures we all grumble about. It cuts into how we see ourselves, our jobs, and even our future. If you’ve ever finished a grueling 12-hour day in a government office, a bank, or even a bustling private company here and felt utterly drained with no sense your work counts beyond the numbers, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
First, let’s paint the reality. It’s not as straightforward as “I get paid little, so I’m unhappy.” Many workers in Abeokuta, including fresh graduates doing their NYSC and middle-aged employees, feel they are stretched thin — physically and mentally — yet are invisible when it comes to recognition or career growth. For example, a cashier in one of the busy markets or banks can find themselves juggling multiple roles, from customer service to inventory tracking, without a formal promotion or bonus. The salary stays the same, but the workload balloons like an overfilling calabash.
How Did We Get Here? More Than Merely “Low Pay”
- Organizational culture doesn’t nurture value: Many companies and government offices in Abeokuta don’t have systems for employee feedback, appreciation, or career development. Once you clock in and start, it’s like your identity blurs into a mere cog in the wheel.
- Informal expectations increase workload: It is common for workers to pick up unofficial “extra duties” — from handling logistics to cleaning workspaces or covering for absent colleagues — without compensation or acknowledgement.
- Job insecurity ties workers down: With unemployment high and competition fierce, many workers accept overuse and underpay quietly, fearing they might be replaced if they rock the boat.
- Role ambiguity kills motivation: In many places, tasks aren’t clearly defined, so a worker ends up doing more than their role requires, feeling burnt out but uncertain if this extra effort will ever translate into promotion.
- Lack of union power: While unions exist, they often struggle to effectively negotiate better terms, especially in the private sector where many workers face casualization or contract insecurity.
A Fresh Angle: The Emotional and Social Drain
Beyond the wallet and workload, there is a profound emotional toll. When your effort is neither seen nor valued, it chips away at your dignity and mental health. For instance, a teacher in Abeokuta public schools dealing with overcrowded classrooms, lack of teaching materials, and endless administrative tasks without recognition doesn’t just feel underpaid; they feel used and discarded after the lesson.
Likewise, young entrepreneurship hopefuls who start small businesses after NYSC often encounter an exhausting cycle of unpaid or underpaid internships, constantly proving themselves without support. This ‘invisible labor’—work done without pay while waiting for opportunity—keeps many stuck in limbo. And it’s not just about survival; it’s about the loss of hope that their contributions can have lasting value.
Practical Steps Abeokuta Workers Can Take
- Document your contributions: Keep records of your tasks and achievements. When the time comes for appraisal or negotiation, you need proof that your workload has grown beyond what your salary covers.
- Seek out formal feedback mechanisms: If your workplace has no feedback system, advocate for one with your colleagues or consider starting a workers’ welfare group, even informally.
- Invest in upskilling: Skills can be a currency too. Whether through online courses, local workshops, or mentorship programs in Abeokuta, upgrade your capabilities. This can create leverage for better roles and pay.
- Network strategically: Build relationships within your industry or community that can open doors outside your current workspace.
- Voice your concerns carefully: Raising issues is important but requires tact. Frame your conversations around how better support improves productivity for everyone, not just your own comfort.
- Consider side hustles that don’t burn you out: Many workers in Abeokuta successfully blend their jobs with small-scale trade, digital freelancing, or farming—activities they control fully and that bring some financial relief.
Final Thoughts
Feeling overused, underpaid, and undervalued is not just a personal problem; it’s a systemic challenge that reflects how Nigerian work culture still struggles with respect and fairness. For workers in Abeokuta and beyond, it’s time to rethink how we value labor—not just with salary figures but with respect, recognition, and real growth opportunities.
What has been your experience with workload and salary balance in your workplace? Have you found ways to push back productively without risking your job? How can employers in Abeokuta start recognizing effort in ways that don’t just involve money?