Feeling Drained but Still Struggling to Make Ends Meet
Walk into any office or factory in Ilorin and you’ll hear the familiar grumble—“We work like machines, but the pay isn’t worth the effort.” This isn’t just idle moaning. It’s a lived reality for thousands of Nigerian workers across the city. But what makes this experience so widespread and persistent? Let’s unpack the real reasons Nigerian workers, especially in places like Ilorin, feel overused, underpaid, and undervalued.
1. The Endless Cycle of Hustle Without Growth
- Long hours, little reward: Many workers find themselves staying late, coming early, and sometimes handling extra tasks that don’t fall within their job descriptions. Yet, this extra input hardly translates into salary increments or promotions. This ‘quiet exploitation’ creates burnout without compensation.
- Stagnant salaries: For entry and mid-level jobs in Ilorin, salary adjustments are often outpaced by inflation. A security guard, for example, may still be earning barely enough to support basic needs after years on the job.
- Limited career pathways: Without structured professional development programs, employees don’t see clear opportunities to advance. Many remain stuck in the same role for years.
2. Employers’ Mindset and the Culture of ‘Make Do’
Employers in some sectors expect high commitment but hesitate to invest in their workforce. This may be due to:
- Budget constraints that serve as excuses to hold back pay and training;
- Lack of awareness or care about employee well-being;
- A prevailing culture where “you’re lucky to have the job,” so workers’ voices for fairness get ignored.
For example, an administrative staff in a local government office may be responsible for duties meant for multiple people but is paid very minimally because the employer considers public service as ‘duty’ rather than employment deserving of proper wages.
3. Systemic Issues Beyond One Company
- Job market saturation: Ilorin has many graduates fresh out of university and polytechnics, all hunting for limited job vacancies. This oversupply empowers employers to pay less and demand more.
- NYSCorps and Underemployment: Many NYSC members struggle to find meaningful placements; when they do, they are often tasked with menial jobs with negligible pay, which sets the tone for early career dissatisfaction.
- Informal sector dominance: A significant part of the workforce is in informal jobs—trading, artisan work, freelancing—where pay is irregular and social protections are scant.
4. The Hidden Costs Workers Bear
Being “overused” doesn’t just apply to their time. Workers often finance their work out of pocket—transport, meals during long shifts, and sometimes even stationery or tools. This reduces the net benefit of their salaries.
Take the case of a bank teller who spends a significant fraction of her income on commuting from a distant suburb because affordable housing near her workplace doesn’t exist. Her effective earnings shrink, making her feel undervalued despite working in a ‘prestigious’ job.
5. What Can Help? Real-Life Suggestions
- Employee unions and associations: Strengthening these groups can give workers a collective voice to negotiate for better pay and conditions.
- Employers investing in capacity building: Even small companies can organize workshops and mentorship programs which boost employee morale and skills.
- Government intervention: Enforcing minimum wage laws fairly and promoting job creation in sectors with growth potential can ease market pressure on wages.
- Workers managing expectations and plans: Nigerian workers should seek opportunities for upskilling, side hustles, or entrepreneurship to diversify income streams—not as an admission of failure but as a survival strategy.
Closing Thoughts
The feelings of being overused, underpaid, and undervalued are symptoms of a complex socio-economic and organisational puzzle in Ilorin and across Nigeria. It’s not just about salary but respect, growth, and fair treatment. As workers, employers, and society, we need to rethink how work is valued beyond just the pay—because when people feel truly valued, productivity and happiness improve, benefiting everyone.
What’s your experience in your workplace? Have you found any ways to push back against feeling undervalued? Do you think employers in Ilorin are genuinely interested in improving worker welfare, or is it all talk? Let’s hear your thoughts.