Rising transport costs are reportedly forcing some Nigerian workers to spend nights in their offices as they struggle to cope with the growing cost of commuting between home and work.

Workers in major cities, including Abuja and Lagos, are said to be adopting the unusual arrangement as a way of reducing the amount they spend on transportation during the working week.

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For some employees, the daily cost of travelling to and from work has become a significant burden on already stretched household incomes. Rather than make the journey home every evening, some workers reportedly remain at their workplaces from Monday until Friday.

The arrangement means that offices are increasingly being used as temporary sleeping spaces by workers trying to reduce their weekly expenses.

Some employees reportedly arrive at work with small bags containing clothes, food and bedding. After the close of work, they remain in the office and resume their duties the following morning.

One worker quoted in reports said daily transportation expenses had become difficult to sustain on their salary.

“I spend over 3,000 Naira daily on transport. My salary cannot carry it. Sleeping in the office is not comfortable, but it is better than spending all my pay on bus fare,” the worker said.

Another worker described the situation as increasingly resembling a permanent stay at the workplace.

“We cook in the office, we bath in the office. It is like we now live at work,” the worker reportedly said.

Transport Costs Deepen Workers’ Financial Pressure

The reported trend highlights the pressure that transportation expenses can place on workers whose salaries have not kept pace with the rising cost of daily living.

For employees who commute long distances, transportation can account for a substantial portion of their monthly income. The situation becomes more difficult for workers who have to use multiple buses or other forms of public transport to reach their workplaces.

Some workers therefore see sleeping at the office as a temporary survival strategy rather than a preferred lifestyle.

Rather than spend thousands of naira each day on return journeys, they remain at work during the week and travel home on Friday evening.

Those adopting the arrangement reportedly return to their homes for the weekend before travelling back to their workplaces on Monday morning.

However, living in an office environment comes with its own challenges. Workplaces are generally not designed to provide the privacy, sanitation, security and comfort associated with residential accommodation.

Workers who spend several nights at their offices may also face difficulties accessing proper bathing facilities, preparing meals and getting adequate rest.

The situation could also raise questions about workplace welfare and the responsibilities of employers toward employees who remain on company premises outside normal working hours.

Labour Groups Seek Urgent Intervention

Labour unions and workers’ representatives have continued to call for measures that can reduce the financial pressure on employees.

Among the issues being raised is the need for stronger transportation support and improved worker welfare.

Transport allowances, where available, could provide some relief for employees facing high commuting costs. Other possible measures include staff buses, flexible working arrangements and workplace policies that take commuting difficulties into consideration.

For workers who cannot afford daily transportation, however, the immediate concern remains how to continue reporting for duty without exhausting their income before the end of the month.

The reported practice of sleeping in offices illustrates the difficult choices some workers are making as they attempt to balance employment with rising living expenses.

For many employees, the workplace is supposed to be where they earn a living, not where they live. But as transportation costs continue to place pressure on household budgets, some workers are reportedly turning their offices into temporary accommodation simply to remain financially afloat.

If the trend continues, concerns over transport affordability and employee welfare could become an increasingly important part of discussions between workers, employers and policymakers.