The removal of fuel subsidies in Nigeria has taken a toll on commercial sex workers in Kano State, who say business has plummeted due to customers’ dwindling finances.

 

In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria, sex workers in Sabon Gari said the number of clients has dropped dramatically since the subsidy ended, forcing them to offer services at “very ridiculous low charges.”

 

“Before, a round of ‘short time’ service cost N5,000 for an hour. Now customers are disappearing,” said Ms. Mercy Benjamin. She said prices have fallen to N500-N700 per session.

 

Another sex worker named Jennifer said, “It’s no longer business as usual. If you see more than three customers a day, you thank God.” She said clients not only pay less but are harder to find.

 

The women described boom times before the fuel reforms, with up to 10 customers a day paying N5,000 to N10,000 for short-time services, and customers even provided additional gifts of food, drinks, and cash.

 

Instead of pocketing healthy wages, the sex workers struggle to make their daily rent of N5,000 for a room. “I’m three days behind on my payments,” Jennifer admitted.