Umaru Ezekiel Esude, a Nigerian agro consultant and self-described celebrity farmer, has rejected a farm manager position that offered a monthly salary of N1 million, an official Toyota Hilux, two personal security personnel, free medical care for up to three children, and on-farm accommodation. The decision came after he carefully reviewed the employment contract and found several conditions unacceptable.
Job Offer Details
Esude applied for the role months earlier at a foreign-owned commercial wheat farm in Jigawa State and had given up on hearing back. The offer arrived by email on July 14, 2026, while he was preparing his own farmland for the planting season. The package appeared attractive at face value, but the fine print revealed requirements that gave him pause.
Contract Conditions
The contract required the farm manager to be legally married and a practising Muslim, to possess at least basic Hausa communication skills, and to remain on the farm throughout the production season without leaving unless an emergency arose or written approval was granted in advance. Breaches of company policy could lead to termination. Esude noted that as a non-Muslim from a southern background, relocating to Jigawa State under those terms was not realistic for him personally.
Esude's Response
In a Facebook post, Esude wrote that a contract should protect both parties equally, not leave one person at the mercy of the other. He advised followers to read every clause before signing anything, regardless of how impressive the headline figures look. "Never let desperation make you sign what you have not carefully read," he said.
Public Reactions
The post drew a wide range of responses. Solomon Enemayi Salifu commented, "Well said. Read before you sign money isn't everything." Sulaiman Samaila Danjauro asked, "Is religion a barrier for someone to get appointment in Nigeria?" Ifeyinwa Juliana humorously remarked, "How Ezekiel wan take to be practicing Moslem? Abi eye dey pain dem ney?" Ibrahim Sukai dismissed the offer, saying, "Them never start look for farm manager... Rabish."
Broader Context
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that a company had cancelled a Nigerian man's employment after the general manager saw his name. Additionally, a man quit a lucrative job after just one week, explaining that he had been working as a lecturer before stepping away to pursue a new opportunity. He attended interviews for multiple positions, though one role was not suitable for his background despite his initial interest.
