A 26-year-old woman from Ebonyi State, Chinaza Nwaezere, has been open about her journey into sex work to support her family and fund her medical expenses. Despite the challenging circumstances, she aspires to leave this life behind and find a god-fearing husband.
Chinaza shared her story with The Guardian, describing her struggle with goitre, a thyroid condition that has affected her health and compelled her to take drastic steps to support her ailing father and six younger siblings. Following the death of her mother in 2014, Chinaza dropped out of school to take on the responsibility of caring for her family. With limited opportunities and her father’s heart condition preventing him from working, she ventured into sex work to make ends meet.
Initially, Chinaza tried her hand at other businesses, such as selling food and baking, but they did not generate enough income to support her family. This led her to relocate from Enugu to Asaba, Delta State, in January 2024, in search of better opportunities in sex work. However, the challenges of this lifestyle quickly became apparent, with police crackdowns, homelessness, and health issues caused by her goitre.
Chinaza’s experiences have been both painful and dangerous. She has been beaten by clients, received fake money transfers, and had her earnings stolen. She has also encountered ritualists and other violent individuals. Yet, despite these risks, she persevered to provide for her family.
After a video interview with content creator Comicmiss2 went viral, Chinaza’s story gained national attention, leading to donations for her medical expenses. This support has given her hope for a new beginning, and she has since vowed to leave sex work behind. She acknowledges that her choice to engage in sex work was driven by necessity, not desire, and that she longs for a more stable and respectable life.
Chinaza’s ultimate goal is to raise enough money for her surgery and find a god-fearing man who will accept her for who she is, despite her past. She dreams of returning to the food business or baking to earn a living and support her family.
Her message to others in similar situations is clear: “There is no life in this business. There is no gain at all. The best option is to quit.” She hopes her story will inspire others to seek better opportunities and warns of the dangers that come with sex work.
Chinaza’s journey highlights the harsh realities many people face when circumstances force them into desperate situations. Despite her struggles, her resilience and hope for a better future continue to shine through.