- by Deborah Longe
- March 20, 2026
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The following is a transcription of On the Lord’s Side Podcast presented on GospelBellsRadio on March 20, 2026 by Olufemi Oguntokun. It may not fully match with the audio, but represents a near perfect transcription of the broadcast.
On Nigeria’s Contract Staff Exploitation and Viral Outcry
And its good morning to you once again, it’s Friday, the 20th of March, 2026. The programme is On the Lord’s Side: Christian Perspectives on News and Current Events. My name is Olufemi Oguntokun. You can follow me on X at Olufemi OG, and Gospel Bells Radio at Gospel Bells Radio.
This morning, we begin with this video that has since been making its rounds on social media in Nigeria, the video of an ex-banker, a lady known as Flora Aiworo, who made an emotional plea against Nigeria’s contract staff exploitation. Also, we are going to listen to another video, the audio portion of it, of course, of one of the well-known actors in Nigeria, known by the character of Papa Ajasco, who also made certain allegations that bear semblance to what this lady spoke about.
So first, this video by this ex-banker, Flora Aiworo, who spoke with an emotional plea against Nigeria’s contract staff exploitation. As always, we are going to engage with this from a Christian point of view. But first, let us listen to this lady.
That is what I prayed, that it would happen in my lifetime, that I would see this revolution that I prayed for happen in my lifetime. But this is my disappointment, so I’m going to give up at this point. Because if people in my generation get too afraid to speak up, I did my best. For all of you guys, I no longer work in your assets. I did it. I promise this one. If you are really angry about something that is going on in the banking industry in Nigeria, and you want to talk about it, I want to address it. Maybe this is going to be the last time I’m ever going to talk about contract staff in Nigeria. Ever.
I have done so much in this regard. I think I’ve done too much in this regard, and this is just going to be the last time I’m ever going to talk about it. Because many of you contract staff in Nigerian banks, many of you are cowards, many of you are fools, many of you are enablers of your oppressors. Many of you, I even made a post, and instead of you to comment, all of you ran into my inbox. So you people are still even afraid.
They have instilled fear in you. They have fed you with fear to the extent that you are even afraid to leave a comment in public because you don’t want them to do what to you exactly?
So this thing happens in Nigeria periodically. Maybe in every decade, you hear that something like this has happened. So recently, a third bank laid off contract staff, and I was really wondering what really happened. I made a post to know exactly what happened, and some of them reached out to me. And it’s not about them right now. It’s about something that has been happening in Nigeria.
So the bank just woke up one day and realized that these people have become too old for the system. Let’s lay them off. Let’s look for a valid reason to send them home. Many of them are now in their late 40s, some close to 50. And they laid them off.
First Bank will do it, another bank will do it, every bank will do it. Because to them, it is a normal thing. It is a normal thing for them to steal people’s time.
The contract companies in Nigeria that are recruiting staff for these banks—all of you are cursed. You are eating and feeding from the sweat and time of Nigerians, and nobody is talking about you.
And for you, the contract staff themselves—how long will you keep quiet? How long will you be afraid to rise up to your oppressors? I honestly prayed that the day would come in my lifetime that I would see this revolution. But people in my generation are too afraid. So I’m giving up.
And of course, that is the voice of this lady said to be an ex-banker, Flora Aiworo, making an emotional plea against Nigeria’s contract staff exploitation.
On Contract Staffing, Exploitation, and Christian Ethics
I do not know whether you have had any experience with contract staffing in any Nigerian bank or institution. If you have, please feel free to share.
This is the meat of the issue. This lady, Flora, in this raw video, recounted 10 years organizing colleagues against abuses like meagre salaries, no promotions, separate lunchrooms, and sudden firings, often betrayed by peers.
You need to understand why many Nigerian banks prefer contract staff. Employees come with obligations, health insurance, pensions, and job security. So instead of employing directly, they outsource to third-party firms. These firms supply workers, and the bank avoids legal responsibility.
This is where the principle of privity of contract comes in, only parties to a contract can enforce it. So the workers cannot sue the bank.
Now, contract staffing is not illegal. But it becomes exploitation, the action of treating someone unfairly to benefit from their work.
From a Christian perspective, even if something is legal, it may still be wrong.
Deuteronomy 24:14–15 commands fairness to workers. Deuteronomy 25:4 says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it treads the grain.” 1 Timothy 5:18 reminds us that the worker deserves his wages. Jeremiah 22:13 warns against using people without fair compensation.
We are not called only to obey the law—we are called to be just, fair, and generous.
On Papa Ajasco, Pay Disputes, and Allegations of Exploitation
Now, let us consider the case of the actor popularly known as Papa Ajasco.
He claimed he was paid ₦22,500 per episode in 1997, ₦45,000 later, and about ₦60,000 per episode in 2026. He also said he does not own a house or car.
Wale Adenuga Productions responded, saying he had used multiple cars, including a Mercedes-Benz, and has a house in Ogun State. They questioned his financial decisions.
But this raises a key issue: a strawman argument. The accusation was about low pay, but the response focused on his personal finances.
Even if the contract was agreed upon, the question remains—is it fair?
Again, the principle stands: exploitation is treating someone unfairly to benefit from their work.
On the UK-Nigeria Deal and “Dubious Honour”
Now, we move to a matter of national concern.
President Bola Tinubu was recently hosted in the United Kingdom by King Charles III with full honours. But new details have emerged.
Nigeria has signed a deal to accept deported visa overstayers, failed asylum seekers, and criminals from the UK, even those without valid documentation.
The UK can now issue identification letters, and Nigeria must accept such individuals as citizens.
This raises serious concerns about national security, immigration, and governance.
This is what we call a “dubious honour”, recognition that comes with hidden costs.
As Christians, we must be discerning. Not every honour should be accepted. Jesus asked, “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?”
Closing Remarks
For those of us on the Lord’s side, we are called to be fair, generous, and discerning, in business, leadership, and daily life.
Whatever you do today, please remain firmly on the Lord’s side.
God bless you.