• 09 Jun, 2025
• Faith Kegh
• comments off

Economic Struggles Push More Men into Selling ‘Amala’ in Local Eateries.

A growing number of men in Lagos and its suburbs are turning to selling *amala*—a traditional yam flour-based meal—at local eateries (commonly called *bukas*) as a mean

s of survival amidst rising economic hardship.

What was once seen as a woman-dominated role in Nigeria—cooking and serving food in roadside restaurants—is now being embraced by men who have lost their jobs due to widespread company downsizing.

For many, like Solomon Adeyanju, a former supervisor laid off due to corporate cutbacks, entering the food business was initially difficult. He admitted feeling ashamed at first, as such work is often viewed as “women’s work.” However, with encouragement from his wife and sister, he launched his own amala business and now takes pride in his new role.

This wasn’t something I ever imagined doing,” he said, “but my wife reminded me that survival matters more than societal judgment.

Others echo the sentiment. Businesswoman Ranti Dada noted that survival has pushed many men into traditionally female roles—serving food, hawking local dishes like *eko* (pap), and even preparing snacks like fried beans and roasted yam.

In today’s economy, you must put aside shame. Society might judge, but those same people won’t help you when you’re struggling,” she said.

Traditionally, Nigerian society has assigned specific jobs to men and women. Professions such as hairdressing, nail fixing, and selling local street food were often reserved for women. But the high cost of living, reduced purchasing power, and soaring prices have blurred these boundaries.

Lanre Ifedayo, a trained caterer, shared how poor working conditions in a restaurant led him to start his own food business from home. Though he hasn’t yet transitioned to working in a *buka*, he aspires to do so.

With the way things are going, it’s better to run your own small food business than spend years in a company that might lay you off without compensation,” he said.

As economic pressures mount, more men are stepping into roles traditionally considered outside their domain—driven not by preference, but by the need to survive.

Faith Kegh

Content & Editorial Manager – Leads the creation, review, and publication of high-quality news and media content. She ensures that all editorial work reflects the organization’s standards of accuracy, professionalism, and relevance, while also engaging and informing the audience.

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