Media personality Ariyiike Dimples has opened up about a troubling phase in her early career, revealing how a former boss once refused to pay her salary and justified the decision with comments she described as shocking and demeaning.
Speaking during her appearance on the Mics and Moments Podcast, Ariyiike said the employer boldly told her that people who lived comfortably did not rely on monthly wages.
According to her, the boss said: “Those people living good lives don’t collect salary. That’s why we give you access to politicians… use your brain.
Ariyiike explained that the statement left her stunned, as it implied she was expected to depend on influential people rather than legitimate earnings to survive in the industry.
During the conversation, she also addressed issues of discrimination within Nigeria’s job market, particularly the bias toward people with foreign accents or privileged backgrounds. She noted that many qualified applicants are often sidelined simply because they do not come from elite families.
She recalled hearing remarks suggesting that:”If one doesn’t have an accent or your dad is not “IJGB,” you are not getting jobs”.
Ariyiike said these experiences reflect deeper structural problems affecting young professionals, especially women, who are pressured into uncomfortable situations or judged based on class rather than competence.
Her revelations have sparked conversations online, with many praising her for courageously discussing issues that many workers silently endure.
