Nigerian Youths aren't lazy.
This ongoing project explores how Nigerian youths are adapting to the high rise in unemployment by creating jobs for themselves.
Daniella Imoudu, 22, a barber, at work. “I like the competitive aspect, the fact that I can challenge males, the freedom, creative aspect, I like everything about my work.” Daniella currently shuffles between school work and her business. January 22, 2022. Abuja, Nigeria. Photo by Taiwo Aina.
Emmanuel has been doing tailor job since 2013; “I started immediately I finished my secondary school exams. I wasn’t given admission to a university so I decided to choose this career path. Buhari wasn’t fully right that Nigerian youths are lazy, there are still other hardworking ones trying to make ends meet.” January 31, 2022. Abuja, Nigeria. Photo by Taiwo Aina.
Kemi Alaro, 27, a tie and dye artist folding a piece of fabric using knotting method. Kemi is a multi talented artist, she specializes in adire fabric making, she draws and paints too. 13. “I have enough time to switch between different mediums to achieve a particular goal. It allows me to try other medium of art expression, if I like a design with dye I try the color out with my brush /acrylic painting and vice versa.” January 22, 2022. Abuja, Nigeria. Photo by Taiwo Aina.
Iheanachor Ajaero, 25; a shoemaker making some designs in his workspace. He started learning from his primary school days. He started his own enterprise late last year. He believes Nigerian youths aren’t lazy. “Business is sweet, its moving well. Anybody wey go school make e find work learn, the one wey no go school should also learn work.” says Iheanachor. February 7, 2022. Abuja, Nigeria. Photo by Taiwo Aina.