Our accounts assistant in Abuja, Aisha Gekpe, has written an insightful piece on working life in abuja
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Every morning in Abuja, Nigeria is very peaceful and serene, seeing as it is the city capital. I wake up at dawn by 5:45am for another typical day of work as an accountant at Spear-fish West Africa. I brew a pot of rich Nigerian coffee and grab a simple breakfast of bread and eggs, the familiar flavours comforting me as I gather my belongings and prepare to face the challenges of another day.
Navigating the chaotic streets of Abuja, I board a crowded, tattered looking bus, joining the throngs of commuters making their way to work, while others make it through by tricycles and walking. The journey is long because of the traffic congestion, rowdiness of the taxis that never follow the traffic regulations and thugs that try to scam and extort people off transportation worthiness documentation, but I remain steadfast, already thinking about the day ahead. As the bus lurches forward on relatively good roads that take me through the vibrant chaos of the city, the bustling markets, petrol queues, and colourful storefronts as a testament to Nigerian's resilience and spirit. Arriving at my office in the heart of Abuja- Utako district, I greet the familiar hustle and bustle of corporate life.
I settle into my office desk, surrounded by stacks of invoices and awaiting spreadsheets- which are the tools of my trade. As an accountant for a local firm, I am responsible for managing the finances of a medium income business, a task I approach with precision and care. The hours pass quickly as I dive into work, meticulously balancing budgets, accounts reconciliations and manage the day-to-day financial shenanigans. I receive and make calls to and from clients and colleagues In Nigeria and the UK office.
At lunchtime, I join my co-workers in the break room, sharing stories and laughter over steaming bowls of jollof rice and chicken, which is the most common meal in Nigeria Tomatoed Rice with some garnishing of vegetables or any proteins one can find. The camaraderie of my colleagues is a welcome despite the demands of the day, their shared experiences forging bonds of friendship.
As the afternoon wears on, my focus never wavers. I take pride in my work, knowing that my efforts contribute to the success of my employer company and the smooth running of the office. My workday ends by 3:00pm. I gather my belongings and bid farewell to my colleagues, with the promise of a hot meal typically fried Yam or Plantain and stew, which is a tomatoes sauce that can be eaten with anything solid and a warm bed beckoning home. I usually get home by 4:30pm or thereabouts, and just rest from the day’s work. My younger sister is home from school by 2pm. As the sun sets over Abuja around 6:30pm, I usually catch up with her on assignments and projects, while at that we prepare for dinner and see a movie alongside.
My parents usually don’t return from work until 7:30pm to 8pm, so we would usually wait until they return home and lock all our gates because we must be security conscious in Abuja due to the rising insecurity challenges, we face every day. Some days, we hear of cases where houses are being robbed even in day light and I wouldn’t want to ever experience that, although we have security personnel, one can’t be too safe out there.
Despite the challenges I face in the day, I remain steadfast in my pursuit of excellence, a shining example of the resilience and determination of Nigeria's working-class accountant.