Ah, Abuja, our dear Federal Capital Territory! A city of bright lights, power plays, and, of course, the never-ending hustle. By day, Abuja is a melting pot of government officials, business moguls, and those ever-elusive “contractors.” But come nightfall, the city transforms into a playground for a different kind of hustler: the night crawlers. In this intriguing dance of supply and demand, one question often springs up: who really is the sex worker, the men or the women?
Abuja by night is a different beast altogether. From Wuse to Maitama, Jabi to Gwarinpa, the streets come alive with flashy cars, booming music, and neon lights flickering like fireflies. Nightclubs, lounges, and bars brim with all sorts of characters—some looking for fun, others for something more transactional.
Now, let’s not pretend we don’t know the drill. You know, the routine of suave gentlemen and dolled-up ladies crossing paths at odd hours. The ladies, often referred to as “runs girls” or “corporate babes,” are easily spotted by their form-fitting dresses, sky-high heels, and perfectly styled weaves. They are like magnets, attracting every eye in the room. But look closer, and you’ll notice another kind of hunter lurking in the shadows: the men.
Who is the Real Hustler?
Let’s address the elephant in the room. While the women are often labeled as the ‘sex workers,’ a quick analysis of the situation shows that the men, too, are equally playing the game, if not more. These men are not just patrons; they are active participants in this nocturnal economy. You see, just like the women, these men have their own “target market” to impress.
In Abuja’s nightlife, men come in all shapes and sizes: the “Aristos” with potbellies, flaunting their gold chains and the latest iPhones, trying to woo younger ladies with their “come and chill” invitations. Then there are the younger “hustler boys,” with fast tongues and flashy cars (usually on loan or borrowed), trying to outdo each other to see who gets the most attention.
Here’s the twist: aren’t these men selling something too? Maybe it’s not their bodies, but certainly, they’re selling a lifestyle—a promise of good times, gifts, and maybe a fleeting taste of the ‘high life.’ And just like the women, they also have their negotiation tactics, their pitches, and their own “KPIs” to meet by the end of the night.
The Game of Give and Take
Now, you might say, “But it’s the women who collect money, not the men.” Well, if you think about it, is money the only currency in play here? In Abuja’s nightlife, there are different currencies: power, influence, access, and even clout. A man might spend money, but he expects something in return—sometimes it’s companionship, other times it’s the thrill of conquering the night.
For many of these men, paying for a woman’s company is akin to paying for status. “I was with this babe last night,” they boast to their friends. For some, it’s a way to prove a point—“I can afford it.” For others, it’s simply a transaction to scratch an itch. But at the end of the day, who is using who?
On the other hand, the women aren’t just passive players in this game. Far from it! These women are smart, calculating, and fully aware of the power dynamics at play. Many come prepared with their own strategies: some go for the big catch—the politician with deep pockets; others are content with smaller fish, knowing that little drops make a mighty ocean.
The Hustle in All of Us
Let’s be real, Nigerians are hustlers by nature. We all have a little bit of hustle in us, whether it’s the Mama Put selling rice by the roadside, the Uber driver navigating Abuja’s chaotic traffic, or the young tech bro coding his way to Silicon Valley. The night crawlers of Abuja are no different—they’ve just chosen a different path.
In this dance of seduction and power, it’s hard to say who’s really in charge. Is it the woman who gets her rent paid by a generous ‘client’? Or is it the man who gets to play the role of the big spender? Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in between. The truth is, both parties are feeding off each other’s desires, playing a game as old as time itself.
The Double Standard
One thing that stands out in this conversation is the double standard. When it comes to the night game, society is quick to point fingers at the women, calling them “runs girls,” “ashawo,” and other colorful names. The men, however, often get a pass. They are seen as just being men, enjoying their “God-given right” to have a good time. But isn’t it time we called a spade a spade? If we’re labeling one group, shouldn’t we label the other as well?
In many ways, the men are just as much “sex workers” as the women, selling a different kind of currency. They may not stand by the roadside in skimpy outfits, but they certainly roam the same circles, hoping to make a deal.
Now, let’s sprinkle in some Nigerian humour here. You see, in Nigeria, we say, “Man wey dey find woman for night, na him be original ashewo!” After all, who is the one doing the chasing? The man who prowls around, stopping at every corner like a cat on a hot tin roof, or the lady who stands her ground, letting the prey come to her?
And what about those men who, after spending the night, start looking for “transport fare” to give? Haba! Who is really hustling here? The women who name their price upfront, or the men who haggle like they’re in Wuse Market?
At the end of the day, the question isn’t really who the sex worker is; it’s about understanding the game. Abuja, like every major city, has its own rules, and in this game, everyone is a player. Whether you’re the one offering or the one paying, the hustle is the same.
So, next time you drive through the neon-lit streets of Abuja at night and spot the night crawlers, remember: it takes two to tango. And in this dance of survival and hustle, no one is completely innocent. Both men and women are simply playing their roles in the grand theatre of life, where the currency may vary, but the hustle remains the same.
In the words of a wise Nigerian, “Who no go, no know.” So, who is the real sex worker? Maybe it’s time we stopped pointing fingers and started looking in the mirror. After all, in this Abuja night market, everybody is selling something!
