Young Woman Balances Household Duties and Office Job Amidst Daily Struggle

At 4:30 in the morning, while Mararaba is still largely asleep, Jessica Khaliat James is already active.

As her mother begins preparing akara and kunu, Khaliat embarks on a familiar routine—one defined by discipline, perseverance, and selflessness since her youth. Long before many her age are awake, she has contributed to her family's sustenance through work and customer service. When dawn breaks, she doesn't return home to rest; instead, she heads to her office.

This is the daily life of a young woman navigating family obligations, paid employment, and personal aspirations, often before the city has fully woken up.

Khaliat, aged 28, originally from Southern Kaduna State, now resides in Mararaba, Nasarawa State. Although her family lives in Mararaba, their financial needs are largely met through activities in Abuja, where there is greater foot traffic and more economic opportunities.

Her family consists of five members: her parents and two brothers. She is the sole daughter. Her father previously served as a personal assistant to a traditional ruler, but his income was unpredictable. Her mother, Teni James, is the primary breadwinner, a woman for whom employment has always been a necessity rather than a choice.

Describing a typical morning, Khaliat shares: "Our mother wakes us at 4:30 am daily to start the fire for our kunu geda, a popular pap made from groundnuts, common in Northern Nigeria."

While the pap is cooking, Khaliat gets ready for her second job and packs her work attire. Her brothers assist their mother in packing the necessary items for the day's business.

"My brothers help us transport everything to the roadside, where we meet the driver who takes us to Abuja each morning," she states.

By 6:00 or 6:30 am, they arrive in Abuja and begin frying akara, serving customers during the early morning rush before the city becomes fully active.

Khaliat began assisting her mother with the business around the age of eight or nine. What started as minor help quickly evolved into significant responsibility. She recalls a pivotal moment:

"There was an occasion when my mother travelled, leaving the entire business in my charge at that young age. I managed it successfully—handling sales, overseeing finances, and generating profit."

Today, those responsibilities have grown considerably.

Every morning, she sells food alongside her mother. By mid-morning, she cleans up, changes her clothes, and proceeds to her call-centre job, where she spends hours interacting with customers—some cordial, others challenging, all requiring patience and emotional fortitude.

Both roles are taxing. On challenging days, when fatigue is overwhelming and motivation wanes, Khaliat draws strength from her mother's example.

"If she can make such sacrifices for me," she reflects, "then I must persevere."

In that quiet determination lies the narrative of two generations of women—linked by sacrifice, empowered by labour, and fueled by hope.

Recounting the family's relocation from Kaduna State to Mararaba in 2000, Khaliat mentions the subsequent difficult period after her father lost his job and the immediate responsibilities that fell upon them. Her mother, who had a background in akara trading, decided to continue the business despite the hardships.

"My mother started small. We were barely making ends meet, and school fees presented another significant challenge."

Having been unable to complete her own education, Teni James was deeply committed to her children's schooling. Through the earnings from the akara business, she ensured they stayed in school. This commitment led her to send Khaliat to a boarding school in JSS 3, determined that her daughter would have access to better opportunities.

"I was so accustomed to helping my mother at the market," Khaliat remembers. "I always returned whenever I could to assist her with sales."

In 2020, a family friend named Adams, impressed by Teni's akara, helped her secure a vending spot in Abuja, where customer traffic was substantially higher. This marked a critical turning point for the business and the family's financial stability.

As the business grew, Khaliat's diligence and intelligence became apparent. Adams subsequently recommended her for a position at a company situated near where her mother sold food. Since then, her life has been characterized by demanding double shifts daily.

"My supervisor is aware of my situation," Khaliat explains. "Our family friend, Adams, spoke with him. So, even when I arrive late occasionally, he understands my circumstances."

Such understanding is not always common in the workplace. However, Khaliat believes her strong work ethic warrants such consideration.

"I dedicate myself fully to my office job. That is why they make allowances for me, even when I am late."

When her workday concludes, her responsibilities do not cease. She frequently returns home to help prepare ingredients and supplies for the following morning's business.

"It is not easy," she admits. "But I do my utmost best."

Speaking about her personal life, Khaliat mentions that she rarely socializes or attends outings. Friends sometimes misinterpret her reserve, believing she is disinterested or unsociable. The reality, she clarifies, is far simpler: she is exhausted.

"The limited free time I have is dedicated to resting," she says. "I have very little time for myself."

Despite her sacrifices, she still faces scrutiny. Some individuals, observing her selling food, assume it is her sole occupation. They are unaware of her office job, her long hours, or the quiet perseverance behind her daily routine. Khaliat chooses not to engage in debates about it.

"I am proud of my work," she states. "It is honest labour."

In early 2026, her narrative gained broader recognition when a friend, who had long been aware of her dual workload, shared her journey on Facebook, commending her diligence and integrity. The response was unexpected.

"I was taken aback and encouraged by the messages and comments I received," she recalls. "Men, women, and even young girls reached out. I felt deeply honoured knowing that my story can inspire young girls to work diligently and to support their parents, who make sacrifices daily for their sake."

Looking toward the future, Khaliat aspires to resume her education to study Nursing, while also working part-time. She also envisions establishing an online grocery business, enabling people to shop conveniently while earning a livelihood.

Nevertheless, she remains focused and grounded.

"I approach things step by step," she says. "I am aware of my limitations."

In a conversation with Khaliat's mother, Mrs. Teni James, she recounted starting her akara sales as early as Primary Three. She spoke of her initial struggles and her inability to pursue higher education—not due to a lack of capability, but a scarcity of funds for school fees. Survival necessitated work, which began at a young age.

Marriage did not alleviate that struggle; rather, it expanded her responsibilities.

"This business enabled me to educate my children," she says. "It covered school fees and rent. Sometimes, it provided funds even before my husband's salary was paid."

Today, she continues to sell akara in Abuja—not only to support herself but also her family and her husband's relatives, who benefit from her earnings. Her eldest child, Khaliat, stands by her side every morning.

"Khaliat is my only daughter," she shares. "I thank God for her every single day."

Even when Khaliat attended boarding school, she would return during holidays to help. Some questioned Teni's decision.

"Why send her away to school?" one woman once inquired. "Why not keep her close to assist you?"

However, Teni had already made a personal commitment: her children would receive an education.

In a society that often equates success with titles and comfort, Khaliat's narrative serves as a potent reminder that true strength is cultivated through responsibility. She is more than just a daughter assisting her mother; she is a cornerstone supporting a household, a bridge connecting sacrifice and opportunity, and a living embodiment of the principle: 'Give to Gain'.