Lekki Babysitter's $100 Daily Rate Per Child Sparks Online Debate
A Nigerian lady operating a babysitting side hustle in the upscale Lekki area of Lagos has gone viral after revealing her daily charges per child. The video, shared on TikTok, has ignited conversations about childcare costs, side hustles, and economic disparities in urban Nigeria.
Details of the Babysitting Service
The lady, who posts under the TikTok handle @keepingupwithesosa, disclosed that she charges $100 per child daily, which converts to approximately N136,000 at current exchange rates. In her video caption, she described it as "babysitting Nepo babies as a side hustle in Lekki" and shared glimpses of her daily routine as a part-time caregiver.
According to her explanation, the substantial fee covers comprehensive services including:
- Full-day feeding and snacks for the children
- Access to Wi-Fi connectivity
- Security provisions during care hours
- Educational toys and entertainment materials
- General supervision and engagement activities
The video showed her caring for multiple children simultaneously in what appeared to be a well-equipped home environment, suggesting she might be earning significantly more when watching several children at once.
Social Media Reactions and Economic Commentary
The revelation prompted diverse reactions across social media platforms, with many users expressing surprise at the earning potential of such childcare services in affluent neighborhoods.
One TikTok user commented: "Abeg I need this kind of job. A day for 100 dollar Ke? I can do it full time sef," highlighting how attractive the earnings appear compared to many conventional jobs.
Another user raised security concerns: "Saying her clinic is in Osapa is not good knowing the internet are like scavengers, too much information," referring to the potential risks of sharing specific location details online.
The economic aspect generated particularly heated discussion. One commenter questioned: "130,000 to baby just one child a day? Would you pay for it if you were the parent? As an adult do u feed on 130k a day?" This reflects broader conversations about income inequality and childcare affordability in Nigeria.
Another observer noted the potential weekly earnings: "So in a week you get like 1m, cause I am seeing three kids there," suggesting that with multiple children, the babysitter could potentially earn around one million naira weekly.
Broader Context of Nigerian Side Hustles
This viral story emerges amid growing interest in alternative income streams among Nigerians, particularly youth facing employment challenges. The babysitting revelation follows other recent stories about career shifts, including a lady who resigned from banking to become a barber and another who started a carwash business after prolonged unemployment.
These narratives reflect a broader trend of Nigerians exploring entrepreneurial opportunities and side hustles to supplement income in a challenging economic environment. The Lekki babysitter's story particularly resonates because it combines elements of childcare service, entrepreneurship, and the economics of affluent urban living.
The discussion also touches on class dynamics, with references to "Nepo babies" (children of wealthy or influential parents) and observations about how perceived value differs across socioeconomic contexts. As one commenter noted: "Sometimes what we feel is expensive isn't expensive at all... the wealthy ones believe that once they pay enough or even more then that automatically should guarantee premium service."
This viral moment continues to generate conversations about service valuation, childcare economics, and the growing gig economy in Nigeria's urban centers.
