Guard- house entrepreneurs

In the early 90’s, Ibrahim, barely able to take care of himself and his family on a N8, 000 ($46) a month ‘security-guard’ salary, made a decision to begin a venture that would subsist his meagre earnings.

His plan – turn the guardhouse, which doubled as his living space, into a mini supply store. After taking permission from his employers (who graciously gave him start-up capital), Ibrahim’s little guardhouse turned ‘mini-mart’ is now the place in the neighbourhood to buy everyday things, from soft drinks to flip-flops, cigarettes, custard and biscuits.

“My place for this community dey very important,” Ibrahim says in Pidgin English. He notes that even when he travels or is away for some reason people in the neighbourhood call him repeatedly on his mobile to inquire when he’ll be back clearly proving that he is meeting a need.

Guard house kiosks like that of Ibrahim’s can be found all over Lagos and other cities and towns in Nigeria. In a situation where cost of living is high, jobs are scarce and income is low, many live on less than $2 a day and with a heightened need to find alternative sources of revenue.

‘Business dey very good’ said Ibrahim grinning from ear to ear. It was just noon and he had already made N5000 ($29) in sales. Opened all seven days of the week, according to Ibrahim it costs between N20, 000 to N30, 000 to restock the kiosk.

Oluwaseyi Lawal