By Agande Richard Aondofa | Edited by Henry Owen
In a candid interview with Stone Reporter News, a former Lagos-based bank employee recounted how losing his job triggered a cascade of personal and financial hardships that eventually ended his marriage. Speaking under the condition of anonymity, he described the emotional toll of unemployment and the challenges of survival in Nigeria.
“Just a few years ago, I had a decent job at a private bank in Lagos, a loving wife, and two children,” he began. “Life wasn’t perfect, but it was stable. Then, one morning, everything fell apart — first my job, then my marriage.”
He explained that the difficulties began after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations at his bank. “The bank started downsizing, setting unrealistic targets, and implementing new policies that made it almost impossible to keep up. Every week, someone was being called into HR for ‘restructuring.’ I held on, hoping my loyalty and experience would matter, but one Monday morning, HR informed me that my position was redundant. Six years of service, gone in five minutes.”
Initially optimistic about finding new employment, he soon faced repeated setbacks. “Weeks turned into months. I did menial jobs, helped a friend in his POS business, and tried small online hustles, but the money wasn’t enough to sustain my family,” he said.
The strain soon took a toll on his marriage. “My wife tried to be patient, encouraged me, and prayed with me. But as bills piled up — rent, school fees, electricity, food — I could see her frustration. Eventually, she said she couldn’t continue like that. She took the children and moved out. That’s when I knew my marriage was over.”
He described the emotional impact as devastating. “Losing my job was painful, but losing my family broke me completely. People treat you like a failure when you’re a man without money. Depression set in; some nights, I didn’t even want to wake up.”
Despite the hardship, he eventually found a path forward. “A friend introduced me to digital marketing and freelancing. I started managing social media pages for small businesses. It wasn’t much, but it gave me a sense of purpose. I began rebuilding slowly — rented a smaller apartment and started sending small money to my children.”
Experts note that such experiences are unfortunately common in Nigeria. Dr. Chinyere Okafor, a clinical psychologist specializing in workplace and family stress, explained, “Job loss can trigger financial strain, anxiety, depression, and marital breakdown. The key to resilience is proactive coping — maintaining open communication with family, seeking counseling, and exploring alternative income streams immediately.”
Dr. Okafor advises those facing similar crises to set realistic budgets, avoid isolation, and leverage skills through online platforms or vocational training. “Men often feel societal pressure to ‘man up,’ but seeking help is not a weakness. Support networks, mentorship, and financial planning are crucial to weathering the storm,” she said.
Reflecting on his journey, the former banker offered a message to others: “Losing everything isn’t the end. Life can restart from the ashes. Things may not return to the way they were, but as long as there’s breath, there’s another chance to rise again.”
This story highlights the deep social and psychological impact of unemployment in Nigeria, demonstrating how economic shocks can extend beyond finances to strain family bonds and mental well-being. Experts emphasize the importance of early intervention, counseling, and skill diversification as key measures for resilience.
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