A 30-year-old apprentice, Ani Chisom Bright, has reportedly taken his own life after enduring seven years of service without compensation from his employer.
The tragic incident occurred after Ani consumed a poisonous substance, allegedly out of frustration and hopelessness.
Ani, from the southeastern part of Nigeria, left behind a suicide note titled “God is the Greatest,” in which he detailed his grievances with his boss, Innocent Ulasi, owner of Otolo Cars in Lagos State.
In the note, Ani claimed that despite his dedicated service over the years, his boss had failed to provide him with the financial support needed to establish his own business, a common practice in the traditional apprentice system in Nigeria.
Ani’s death was publiciced on social media by Promise Uzoma Okoro, a blogger, and was later shared by another popular blogger, Maria Ude Nwachi, who posted both the suicide note and a photograph of the victim on Facebook on Tuesday.
The post quickly went viral, sparking outrage and concern over the apprentice system and the alleged mistreatment of young workers.
In his final message, Ani expressed deep frustration, directing part of his note to his boss.
“And for my Oga Innocent Ulasi (Otolo Cars), we will meet each other soon, but before we do that, you will hear from me. You made me go through a lot after serving you for seven years with hard labor,” the note read.
The circumstances surrounding Ani’s tragic decision remain unclear, and the police have yet to confirm the details of the incident. No official statement has been issued by the authorities or Innocent Ulasi regarding the allegations.
This incident sheds light on the exploitation that some apprentices face in Nigeria, where the traditional “Igba Boy” system promises to reward years of service with financial backing to start an independent business. However, cases like Ani’s show that not all apprentices receive the settlement they are entitled to, leading to devastating consequences.
