A Nigerian man known on TikTok as @faruqtheservant has gone viral after revealing he quit a well-paying job as an assistant marketing manager just one week after starting, citing an unbearable daily commute in Lagos. The position, which offered a monthly salary of N400,000, required him to travel from his residence to an office located near a well-known landmark in Lagos, a journey that consumed up to six hours each day.
From Lecturer to Marketing Role
Before taking the job, @faruqtheservant had been working as a lecturer. He attended interviews for multiple positions and was initially interested in a role that did not match his background. However, he was offered the assistant marketing manager position, which aligned with his previous experience, and he accepted after delivering a presentation to company staff. Despite his enthusiasm, the challenges began on his first day.
He admitted misjudging the travel time between his home and the office. Attempts to arrive early using different modes of transport proved problematic, and he arrived late on several occasions. Delays were compounded by getting lost initially and by poor weather conditions that disrupted public transport. He also mentioned the financial strain of choosing faster travel options to reach work on time.
Proposal for Hybrid Work Rejected
The man proposed a hybrid working arrangement to management, arguing that he could perform effectively under such a structure. However, the request was declined. He was informed that a decision about his continued employment needed to be made within a set timeframe because his arrival times did not meet expectations. A senior staff member shared her own experience of commuting at dawn, but he felt such a routine was not sustainable for him.
In the end, he decided to leave the N400k job, a choice he found difficult because he had hoped to save towards rent. He clarified that he had not formally signed his employment documentation before resigning. He concluded by reflecting that while he did not intend to seek sympathy, he shared the story to illustrate that accepting a desired role sometimes came with conditions that could become harmful. He emphasized the importance of recognizing which opportunities to relinquish and which to retain.
Viral TikTok Post and Reactions
Part of his post read: "I want to show someone out there that sometimes you’ll get what you want, with conditions. Hurting yourself in the process of trying to manage the conditions can lead to losing yourself, so it’s fine to let it go. Now, this doesn’t mean let go of every opportunity. Discern what to let go of and what to keep lol."
The video sparked mixed reactions on TikTok. User @Charis Adu commented: "It's sad, ironic and funny how our resilience as Nigerians can be a bane to us. We get so used to unfavourable conditions that it becomes the norm to us, such that when someone tries to refuse such conditions, people try to shut them down by calling them lazy, or say they're doing too much. It's the same reason why we continue and will continue to adapt to bad governance. Imagine working for 8 hours and spending 6 hours in transit. You have just 10 hours left to cramp in sleep and the rest of your life. That's not life."
Another user, @He/Him, shared: "I work in Ikoyi, I wake up everyday at 4am and get home at 8pm, and I work a physically demanding job (HVAC) not even a corporate job and I am severely undervalued and underpaid, i currently do not like my self but I’m trying to push through until next year to get enough savings to quit."
Advice and Criticism from Viewers
User @Sammy advised: "Rule number one in Lagos, if your job resumes by 8, you will suffer. Negotiate for 9. Also if you're working on the island and living on the mainland, you will also suffer. Let God help you guys."
@blessed_accessories added: "Na Ikorodu u Dey stay? Perhaps, you are just starting, so proposing for hybrid wasn’t a good idea. And you could have still had the job, look for a weekly/monthly apartment near your office and go home on weekends. You can only propose hybrid after 3-6 months on working there. Some of this companies are not ready to bend their rules to accommodate anybody."
Broader Context of Commuting Challenges in Lagos
The story highlights the harsh realities of commuting in Lagos, Nigeria's largest city, where traffic congestion is notorious. Many workers endure long hours on the road, often sacrificing sleep and personal time. The man's decision to prioritize his well-being over a high salary resonated with many, while others criticized him for not seeking alternative solutions like renting closer to work. The incident also reflects a growing conversation about flexible work arrangements in Nigeria, where hybrid and remote work are still not widely adopted by employers.
