A Nigerian businessman has ignited a spirited conversation on social media after revealing the clever tactic he employed to handle holiday requests from his farm employees. The employer, who shared the story on his X (formerly Twitter) page, detailed how he convinced seven workers who wanted to travel home for Christmas to instead remain on the farm.
The Smart Counter-Offer That Changed Minds
The situation began when seven of his farm workers approached him to request time off for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Rather than giving a simple yes or no, the employer, identified online as @bossolamilekan1, formulated a quick alternative plan. He proposed a significant financial incentive to those who chose to stay.
He stated to his workers: "I came up with a quick plan that anyone that will be here for Christmas and New Year with me on the farm will be receiving double salary for this month." He then posed a rhetorical question that revealed the outcome: "Guess where we all will be celebrating Christmas and New Year." His follow-up comment made it clear that the offer was successful, and the workers collectively decided to forgo their travel plans.
Mixed Reactions Flood Social Media
The employer's post attracted a flood of comments from Nigerians online, with opinions sharply divided. Some users criticized the approach, suggesting it pressured workers or reflected poor planning. One user, @IamIzuken, argued that the situation could have been managed better by staggering holidays or sharing the bonus differently.
However, a significant number of commentators defended the businessman's move. They framed it as a fair, voluntary choice and praised the extra compensation. User @Blessyon30 noted, "But you didn’t say they can’t go na... who wan go make he go who wan stay go receive double salary. It was a simple choice." Another, @khykheloormuur, supported the boss, highlighting the practical need to manage the farm's livestock, asking, "Who will pick all those eggs?"
In a follow-up tweet, the employer addressed some of the criticism, expressing surprise that people would fault him for paying extra. He emphasized the scale of work, mentioning the challenge of handling "all these whole birds" alone.
A Broader Discussion on Holiday Management
The online debate expanded beyond this single incident, with users proposing alternative long-term strategies for holiday staffing. One suggestion from @ceonigeria_ was to hire a religiously diverse workforce—mixing Christians and Muslims—to allow for natural shift coverage during different religious holidays. Another user, @Tope_Orus, shared a personal experience of successfully rotating staff holidays to ensure both coverage and rest.
The story, published on December 23, 2025, taps into ongoing discussions in Nigeria about labor relations, fair compensation, and the balance between business needs and workers' rights to festive breaks. It showcases a pragmatic, incentive-based solution that, while controversial, achieved the employer's immediate goal of maintaining farm operations during a critical period.
