As heavy traffic slowed to a crawl on the narrow road passing the University of Ibadan, Olatunde Omolara swerved her yellow autorickshaw to the left, drawing a stream of abuse from the driver of the four-wheeled minicab beside her.
“Go home and look after your family!” he shouted, his words reflecting the traditional view of a woman’s role in Nigeria’s highly patriarchal society.
Ms Omolara gave him a disdainful look before waving at another car behind her to slow down so she could merge.
Although the 38-year-old mother of three's job is a difficult one, it is necessary. And she is not alone in challenging cultural norms: a growing number of Nigerian women are taking up traditionally male-dominated roles as the country pitches further into economic crisis.
Some of these women are single mothers or widows who have been forced to take on the role of provider, while others are helping to support their families in the face of rising unemployment and soaring inflation.
Before she started driving a marwa – as the three-wheeled taxis are locally known – Ms Omolara ran a thriving beauty salon in the popular Shasha Market area in Ibadan, southern Nigeria.
That ended when it was burnt to the ground during two days of violence in February 2021 between the Yoruba and Hausa communities.
Members of the two ethnic groups had clashed before, but never so violently, and the incidents left a lasting mark.
After the clashes, most of Ms Omolara’s customers, mostly Hausas, relocated.
“Business started to get worse. Some days, I would not make a single dime. We were barely surviving,” she said with tears in her eyes.
A year later, her husband suffered a stroke.
“We spent virtually everything we had. To get something to eat became very difficult,” she said.
Last October, she decided to do something about their financial situation.
“There was a woman in my area who rode a tricycle, so I reached out to her,” she said.
“And she guided me for about three weeks, after which a friend lent me 150,000 Nigerian nairas ($193) to get a tricycle on an instalment payment. I return 32,000 nairas ($41.18) every week.”
At first, her husband did not approve of her new job because he believed it was his role to provide for the family, despite his poor health.
“My husband wasn’t supportive at the very beginning. In fact, throughout my three weeks training, he knew nothing about it,” she said. “But after I got the tricycle, he sat me down and we talked about it.”
In addition to driving taxis, women have been taking on other traditionally male-dominated roles and working as mechanics, barbers, shoemakers and in other jobs.
According to a report from the Council on Foreign Relations' Women and Foreign Policy Programme, Nigeria’s gross domestic product could grow by 23 per cent by 2025 “if women participated in the economy to the same extent as men”.
This position is echoed by the International Monetary Fund, which argued that strengthening gender equality in Nigeria, especially in the workplace, would be an economic game-changer that could lead to greater stability in the country.
Most of the way women are going – all out of their traditional roles – is a result of the socioeconomic upheaval that has occurred in Nigeria over the past decade or two which has changed family dynamics
Leena Hoffmann,
associate fellow at Chatham House
“Most of the way women are going – all out of their traditional roles – is a result of the socioeconomic upheaval that has occurred in Nigeria over the past decade or two which has changed family dynamics,” Leena Hoffmann, associate fellow at Chatham House, told The National.
“When both genders contribute to the economy, the kind of growth we would witness will be more dynamic and resilient to both internal and external turbulence.”
Nigerian women are now grappling with a challenging economy that has pushed most middle and low-income families farther down the economic ladder in the West African country.
During his inaugural speech in May, President Bola Tinubu sent shock waves through the country when he announced the removal of fuel subsidies that have kept prices low in Africa's most populous country, adding more pressure on families.
Almost immediately prices of fuel tripled, along with rising inflation, and more than 133 million people were plunged into poverty, according to an official report by the country’s statistics agency.
The World Bank says that an additional 7.1 million people in Africa’s largest economy could slip below the poverty line before the end of the year, if the issue of the fuel subsidies is not properly managed.
The removal of subsidies has made life difficult for Nigerians already facing rising unemployment, a weakened currency and surging inflation, which passed 24 per cent in June, according to the statistics agency.
Mma Amara Ekeruche, senior research fellow at the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa, believes the policies have a huge effect on the soaring cost of living in the country, but they are also necessary to tackle the country’s economic crisis.
“There is never a perfect time to bite the bullet. Although these policies are going to further exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis, they are important in bringing about the structural transformation the country is in dire need of,” she told The National.
But for driver Opeyemi Adeyemi, 36, the long-term benefits of such structural transformation are difficult to appreciate.
She parked her tricycle along the road and leaned back in the driver’s seat, looking exhausted.
The removal of the fuel subsidy has taken a huge toll on her business, she says. Her customer numbers have plummeted after the cost of commuting skyrocketed.
“It’s been really difficult in the last couple of days,” Ms Adeyemi told The National.
“Before the increase in the price of fuel, I used to make between $12 and $15 daily. But now, we hardly make $9.
“This is because we spend so much on fuel without much patronage. I’ve been here for nearly an hour without any passengers. It’s really frustrating, but we don’t have any other options.”
Ms Omolara echoes Ms Adeyemi's concerns, saying she has been working weekends and longer hours since the removal of subsidies to make up for the shortfall in her earnings.
“Since the fuel problem started, I no longer have a specific time for ending my workday,” she said.
“What determines it now is the amount of money I make, including money for the fuel I will use the next day.”
Despite the increased hardship, she is optimistic.
“It is tiring, but we will be fine,” she said.
UAE%20SQUAD
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Stamp duty timeline
December 2014: Former UK finance minister George Osbourne reforms stamp duty, replacing the slab system with a blended rate scheme, with the top rate increasing to 12 per cent from 10 per cent:
Up to £125,000 - 0%; £125,000 to £250,000 – 2%; £250,000 to £925,000 – 5%; £925,000 to £1.5m: 10%; Over £1.5m – 12%
April 2016: New 3% surcharge applied to any buy-to-let properties or additional homes purchased.
July 2020: Rishi Sunak unveils SDLT holiday, with no tax to pay on the first £500,000, with buyers saving up to £15,000.
March 2021: Mr Sunak decides the fate of SDLT holiday at his March 3 budget, with expectations he will extend the perk unti June.
April 2021: 2% SDLT surcharge added to property transactions made by overseas buyers.
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
SANCTIONED
- Kirill Shamalov, Russia's youngest billionaire and previously married to Putin's daughter Katarina
- Petr Fradkov, head of recently sanctioned Promsvyazbank and son of former head of Russian Foreign Intelligence, the FSB.
- Denis Bortnikov, Deputy President of Russia's largest bank VTB. He is the son of Alexander Bortnikov, head of the FSB which was responsible for the poisoning of political activist Alexey Navalny in August 2020 with banned chemical agent novichok.
- Yury Slyusar, director of United Aircraft Corporation, a major aircraft manufacturer for the Russian military.
- Elena Aleksandrovna Georgieva, chair of the board of Novikombank, a state-owned defence conglomerate.
Roll of honour: Who won what in 2018/19?
West Asia Premiership: Winners – Bahrain; Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership: Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Winners – Dubai Hurricanes; Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference: Winners – Dubai Tigers; Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
MEYDAN%20RACECARD
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Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:
Day 1
Toss: South Africa, field first
Pakistan (1st innings) 177: Sarfraz 56, Masood 44; Olivier 4-48
South Africa (1st innings) 123-2: Markram 78; Masood 1-4
Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10
ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons
Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page
Hawks
Coach: Chaitrali Kalgutkar
Squad: Chaya Mughal (captain), Archara Supriya, Chamani Senevirathne, Chathurika Anand, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kashish Loungani, Khushi Sharma, Khushi Tanwar, Rinitha Rajith, Siddhi Pagarani, Siya Gokhale, Subha Srinivasan, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish
Falcons
Coach: Najeeb Amar
Squad: Kavisha Kumari (captain), Almaseera Jahangir, Annika Shivpuri, Archisha Mukherjee, Judit Cleetus, Ishani Senavirathne, Lavanya Keny, Mahika Gaur, Malavika Unnithan, Rishitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Shashini Kaluarachchi, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Vaishnave Mahesh
Dubai Women's Tour teams
Agolico BMC
Andy Schleck Cycles-Immo Losch
Aromitalia Basso Bikes Vaiano
Cogeas Mettler Look
Doltcini-Van Eyck Sport
Hitec Products – Birk Sport
Kazakhstan National Team
Kuwait Cycling Team
Macogep Tornatech Girondins de Bordeaux
Minsk Cycling Club
Pannonia Regional Team (Fehérvár)
Team Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Team Ciclotel
UAE Women’s Team
Under 23 Kazakhstan Team
Wheel Divas Cycling Team
Race card:
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; 2,200m
7.40pm: Conditions; Dh240,000; 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 2,000m
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed; Dh265,000; 1,200m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; 1,600m
10pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 1,400m
Meg%202%3A%20The%20Trench
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 720hp
Torque: 770Nm
Price: Dh1,100,000
On sale: now
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
More coverage from the Future Forum
Arabian Gulf League fixtures:
Friday:
- Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
- Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
- Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm
Saturday:
- Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
- Sharjah v Al Wasl, 5.20pm
- Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
