It was a sunny Thursday—one of those scorching days when one would think twice before stepping out without an umbrella or a pair of sunglasses to shield against the blazing heat. But under that relentless sun, Nnamdi Nwogbaga moved through the bustling streets of Warri, balancing a tray of phone accessories on his head. With a determined expression, he haggled over the price of a memory card with a customer, his voice rising above the clamour of the marketplace.
Nnamdi, a 24-year-old from Izzi Local Government Area in Ebonyi State, did not always picture himself as a street trader. His dream had been to further his education, but economic hardship forced him to reconsider.
“I finished secondary school and wanted to sit for JAMB, so I could go to university; but there was no money,” he shared. “That’s why I decided to learn a skill. In 2022, I moved from Ebonyi to Abuja and started learning to be a mechanic. I trained for three years, repairing people’s vehicles for peanuts. I was supposed to complete my training this August, but I had to leave because there was no money in it.”
With little savings and no clear path forward, Nnamdi returned to his hometown, searching for another way to survive. It was during this period that a friend introduced him to the phone accessories business.
“My friend told me he was coming to Warri to sell phone accessories, and I became interested. The problem was, I had no money to start. He lent me N50,000, and that’s how I got into this business in January.”
Now, he moves from street to street, selling chargers, earpieces, phone pouches, and other mobile accessories, making a modest living from his trade. He speaks with pride about his work.
“Some people may look down on what I do, but I am not ashamed. This business is feeding me and my family. I can’t steal, and I can’t beg. If trekking across Nigeria is what will put food on my table, then I will do it without shame.”
Despite the challenges, he finds fulfilment in his trade.
“On a good day, I can make up to N50,000. The more I make, the more I put back into the business. My dream is to grow this business so much that I will have shops in different states and, if possible, start importing accessories myself.”
When asked whether he still wished to pursue higher education, Nnamdi hesitated.
“If I go to school, won’t I still need money? For now, I prefer making money. Education is good, but with the way things are in Nigeria, having a business is even better. Maybe one day, when I am more stable, I will think about school again.”
Like many Nigerians, Nnamdi has felt the impact of the country’s worsening economy. He compared the present situation to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When Coronavirus came in 2020, we thought that was the worst thing that could happen. But as bad as things were then, it was nothing compared to now. Back in 2020, you could buy a phone charger for less than N1,000, but now the least you can get an original one for is between N3,000 and N7,000.
“The only reason this business is still moving is that no matter how expensive a charger is, people will still buy it because they need to power their phones.”
He also had strong words for those who turn to crime due to economic hardship.
“My advice to people stealing is to stop and find something better to do. I know things are hard, but crime is not the answer. Nigeria is a place where jungle justice exists. If you are caught stealing, you could be burnt alive. Is that worth it? Instead of stealing, they should find something honourable to do—sell something, push a wheelbarrow, or find any honest job.”
Looking ahead, he hopes for a better future—not just for himself, but for all Nigerians.
“The government should do something about the rising cost of things. The way prices keep going up, ordinary people are struggling to survive. We are working hard, but life is getting tougher by the day.”
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the street, Nnamdi adjusted the weight of his wares on his head and took a deep breath. Another day was drawing to a close, but his hustle continued. With resilience in his heart and hope in his eyes, he marched forward, determined to carve out a better life—one sale at a time.
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