‘Brother, cash wa o’ – Tales of graduates who roam around in sun and rain to make earnings through POS

When students complete their tertiary education either in college, polytechnic, or university, they join the colony of unemployed. This colony keeps expanding despite the creation of digital and vocational jobs by some citizens, particularly those who engage in business or provide services like laundry, among others. 

Some Nigerian youths engage in prostitution or internet fraud commonly known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo Business’ as an alternative to money-making. Some youths still live under the roof of their parents or guidance as a result of inflation, hunger, and absolute poverty caused by fuel subsidy removal, while others are working tirelessly to make ends meet. 

A percentage of working Nigerian youths earn daily through Point of Sales (POS). Some youths earn N10,000 to N15000 as operators, while others roam around public places like garages and roundabouts, among others, with their POS machines to make a living. 

This report not only shows what Nigerian graduates go through to make a living legitimately, but it also showcases the resilience spirit, setbacks, successes, and determination of some youths who are ready to ply legal routes to enviable heights.

WITHIN NIGERIA journalist SODIQ LAWAL CHOCOMILO visited the popular Ilesa Roundabout as early as 5:15 a.m. and sighted POS operators, mostly young women. They were approaching people, especially passengers, with their POS machines, seeking their patronage.

These ‘walking POS operators’ positioned themselves strategically. Some were seen on standby, directly opposite the central mosque. From First Bank to Union to Wema to the junction leading to Ayeso, these operators were seen armed with POS machines to initiate monetary transactions or data/airtime services for customers. 

‘Brother, cash wa o—a young lady probably in her mid-twenties—walked up to me as this reporter was struggling with his knee, which had hit a block structure unknowingly. She nearly covered herself from head to toe due to the cold. She wore a cardigan and looked calm.

What is a beautiful girl doing in the cold as early as 5 a.m.? This reporter innocently inquired. ‘Na money o’ – Titi, with a faint smile, responded. She stated that being beautiful would not pay her bills. Besides, I’m not ready to engage in prostitution (Olosho business) for urgent 2K, she further stated. ‘You don’t need to be a prostitute now. Just date a rich guy, the reporter said. 

Titi, who probably seemed tired with the questioning or conscious of time, extended her hand towards me and requested for my ATM card. ‘Or nah transfer you wanna do or use your ATM’, Titi asked. The reporter nodded affirmatively. 

The reporter handed over his ATM card to Titi as he watched her gently insert the card into the machine. Why did you choose to be a POS operator? The reporter inquired. Survival, says Titi as she typed the amount this reporter wanted to collect. ‘You’re funny. If there’s a better option, who would love to stay inside cold as early as 5 a.m.’, Titi disclosed. 

‘I went to Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. I studied business administration. I later became a secretary after a long hunt for a job with a salary of N15000 (fifteen thousand naira). Food and transportation take up a up a larger part of the salary. I had to resign and focus on POS business. I make more than N2500 per day, but it requires a lot of stress, she explained. 

Another POS operator identified as Ruth told WITHIN NIGERIA that she resigned as a private primary school teacher to join her friend, Dupe, at the roundabout in Ilesa.

Ruth, a graduate of economics education, while expressing her love for teaching, disclosed that she dumped her former job because she could not survive with the salary she’s receiving. 

‘I go to work from 7:30 a.m. to 3pm. When I get home, I teach lessons too. Despite my efforts, I still live in poverty and extreme hunger. I depend on my friend, Dupe, to lend me money or feed me sometimes. I got tired and I resigned’, Ruth explained.

Ruth, who was contemplating if she should resign or not, told WITHIN NIGERIA that she resolved to leave the school after her employer, Mrs. Gift, deducted N2500 from her salary. 

‘I earn N12,000 per month. Our proprietress deducted N2500 from my salary because I did not come to school for two separate days in a month. I got sick and could not reach her due to poor electricity. The other time I missed school was when my mother fainted and I had to rush her to the hospital. She said I did not tell her, a sad Ruth further explained. 

According to Ruth, she earns better as a POS operator who roams garages and roundabouts as early as 5:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. than a primary school teacher.

‘I leave home as early as 5 a.m. I usually follow an Ibadan driver who resides in my street. I always meet other POS operators here whenever I think I have come early. I eat from my profits by 9 or 10 a.m., and I go back home around 2 p.m. to rest and come back in the evening. Passengers and passersby who are in dire need of cash are our customers, Ruth revealed.

Bayo Ademola thinks POS operators who roam around are emergency money providers, and they should have gained the attention of the government at all levels. 

According to Bayo, POS operators have filled the gap created by excesses or failures of ATM centers, gradually diminishing ATM centers owing to availability and accessibility of funds.

The 28-year-old graduate who studied Science Laboratory Technology at the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, told WITHIN NIGERIA that unemployment and lack of opportunities pushed many graduates to POS business. 

Bayo disclosed that he searched for jobs for more than a year before embarking on the laundry business as an alternative. Bad electricity ruined my laundry business. 

“Hike in petrol fuel could not allow me to use the generator because customers were not ready to pay adjusted prices. I could not meet the deadline of some customers either. So I decided to move on, Bayo further disclosed. 

While narrating how he started his POS business, Bayo revealed that his friend, Mayowa, introduced him to the POS business after he complained bitterly about low patronage and how bad electricity is ruining his expected profits. 

According to Bayo, he paid the sum of N25,000 to an agent to get a POS machine and started the business with a cash of N50,000.

When asked why Bayo chose to roam around with a POS machine rather than setting up a POS center, he responded that it is easier to own a POS machine and start earning with little capital with the former than the latter.

‘You need a strategic place to earn well as a POS operator. There is no strategic place in any populated area within our community that has not been occupied by POS operators. I also do not like roaming around, but as long as it pays my bills, I have no problem. In fact, I retire home at night nursing leg and body pains’, Bayo explained.