How Jobless Men Are Turning to Peeling Corn for Roasters to Survive in a Tough Economy

In the face of a worsening job market, where even menial jobs are becoming scarce, some men have taken on unconventional roles to provide for their families. The sight of able-bodied men working for roadside corn sellers, once unimaginable, has become increasingly common as they navigate the harsh economic landscape.

Mr. Abednigo Okpana, one of these men, shared his story. Previously a plantain chips hawker, he found himself struggling to make ends meet due to the rising cost of living, which has severely impacted his profits. To support his aging parents, wife, and daughter, Okpana began working as a helper for a local corn roaster, earning money by peeling and roasting corn. “Roasting five cobs of corn earns me N100, and I make N1000 for peeling a bag of corn. I hawk in the morning and evening when my madam doesn’t open for business,” he explained. Though he hopes to save enough to start his own venture, he acknowledges that corn roasting is a seasonal job that cannot sustain him in the long term.

Mrs. Judith Agbasi, a corn seller who employs helpers like Okpana, highlighted the challenges faced by women in the business. “Peeling and roasting corn is not easy, especially for women with health issues who are also the breadwinners of their families. Many of us now hire helpers to manage the workload and reduce the strain that could lead to frequent hospital visits,” she said.

The economic downturn has forced many to reconsider traditional gender roles and accept any job that offers a chance of survival. Mr. Femi Olorunsogo, a customer at a roadside corn stand, expressed his surprise at seeing a man roasting corn. “I was shocked when the man negotiating the price of corn told me he wasn’t related to the seller but worked as a helper. The current state of the economy has pushed people to take on jobs that were once considered beneath them,” he remarked.

In a country where the cost of living continues to rise, many citizens are turning to low-cost, readily available foods like corn to get by. As Mr. Olorunsogo noted, “People prefer to buy corn and coconut or pea rather than spend thousands of naira at a canteen for a meal that won’t last them an hour. At least these men are earning an honest living, rather than resorting to crime.”