Nigerian Lecturer Laments About Challenges At Work After Buying Old Car, Joins #30DaysRantChallenge (Video)

A Nigerian lecturer has lent his voice to the #30DaysRantChallenge, sharing his workplace struggles after purchasing an old-model car.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the lecturer detailed his experience, revealing the challenges he faced as a government employee.

He explained that after buying a 2004/2005 Toyota Corolla—an old but well-maintained vehicle—his colleagues and senior lecturers began speculating about how he could afford it.

Many believed his salary, even if saved for one or two years, would not be enough to purchase such a car.

He wrote:  

“I work for the government. I’m a lecturer in a federal university.”

“Two years ago, I bought a car—a 2004/2005 model Corolla. It’s an old car, but it’s quite convenient. The previous owner maintained it well, and it has a good body.”

“When I took the car to school, it triggered discussions, particularly about how I could afford it.”

“Senior colleagues began to question how I raised the money. At the time, I was a project coordinator, and many assumed I must have collected money from students to buy the vehicle.”

“There was this belief that, as a young lecturer in a federal university, I shouldn’t be able to afford even an old model car because our salaries clearly do not support such expenses—even if saved for a year or two.”

“Eventually, I lost my position as project coordinator.”

The lecturer went on to explain that he had saved for two years to buy the car but still needed financial support.

“Even after saving for two years, I didn’t have enough. I had to borrow from a colleague, and my mother contributed money from a thrift savings scheme to help me complete the payment.”

He further lamented how the rising cost of fuel has affected many of his colleagues, including senior lecturers.

“Now, with the hike in fuel prices, my colleagues—even senior ones—wait at the school junction daily, hoping for a ride to campus.”

Highlighting the harsh economic reality, he concluded:

“By the time you fuel your car with our salary, there’s barely anything left for food or family expenses for the month.”

See video below;

This is a lecturer in a federal university in Nigeria pic.twitter.com/Sp7U0e0U18

— Oro Prophet Elisha (@babaj1de) March 28, 2025

As his post gained traction online, many concerned individuals took to the comment section to share their thoughts.

See some reactions below:

@CroBender: “But the university professors will rig elections to get certificate forgers into office and I am supposed to sympathise with their plight?”

@adebomiiiii: “Aside from the economic reality, a lot of people are damaged and traumatized they don’t even know it, imagine being shocked he could get that old model car that teenagers working fast food jobs in foreign countries can conveniently buy, coupled with several loan options Omo.”

@ekpotek: “Yes, I can relate to your situation. The only things that have kept us in this university system for more than 20 years are scholarships and external grants. No successful lecturer in any university in Nigeria depends on salary.”

@oluopey: “No lies here. I’ve been there. Mine was Camry Pencil (1998/1999) model and tongues wagged about how an Assistant Lecturer as I was then was able to buy such. Too bad!”

@mrmanjustdoit: “Poverty goes deeper when national currency lose is value which means the purchasing power has dropped drastically and policies needs to be reviewed.”