Amid economic hardship, sex workers are utilising social media platforms to conduct their ‘businesses’, defying stigma and embracing digital hook-ups as a means of survival, GODFREY GEORGE writes

Confidence Oge’s room looked unkempt. The online pleasure worker had advertised her services in a TikTok post, calling for men to patronise her online business – online sex work.

A large cream-coloured pleasure toy stood on what looked like a wooden table. An unlabelled bottle of syrup sat nearby. A close look revealed it was a bottle of lubricant.

Wigs, multiple coloured bags, clothes and wrappers were scattered all over the room, forming tiny mounds as she tried to position a camera in front of her.

After our correspondent came across her profile on TikTok, where she advertised how she could make any man reach orgasm just by having a video call, Saturday PUNCH reporter decided to dig deeper.

In the video, Oge, wearing a pair of red undies and a black tank top screamed at the top of her voice.

She held a camera and stood in front of a mirror in an attempt to gain more customers to patronise her.

She continued in Pidgin English, “Once you pay your money, come to my WhatsApp.

“If you’re a married man, don’t go and meet another girl outside. Come to me. Pay your money. 090511*****.

“All the whole Nigerian man abroad come. This is what you need. After you suffer finish, this is what you need to cure you. (sic)”

A chat with Oge

Oge, our correspondent learnt, had been a sex worker for some years but decided to go fully online because, according to her, it is safer and gives her more freedom.

Now in her late 30s, Oge said she has no regrets.

Her profile display picture on WhatsApp contact is a picture containing her First Bank account number, and full name, with a short description of what her customers should do after payment is made.

Our correspondent learnt that payment ranges from between N3,0000 to N5,000. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Oge used to charge as low as N1000 for her online services.

Speaking to our correspondent, she said after payment is made, receipt evidence should be sent to her and she would schedule a meeting with her client.

It would be a video call on WhatsApp that would last between 15 and 20 minutes. It could be a group call or a personal call.

For a personal call, which she terms ‘premium package’, the payment is more. A source, who had patronised her, who identified himself as Ebube, said it costs only N5,000.

“As of January this year, it was N5,000. She even did some discount for returning customers, and some of us paid N4,000,” Ebube told this reporter.

How online sex works

Online sex, also known as digital sex, is powered by the internet. It involves nude exchanges, sex chat or sexting, and climaxes into video calls.

The sex worker teases his or her audience by showing sensitive parts of their bodies. Sometimes, sex toys are deployed to give a feel of intercourse. The audience, mostly called, the receiver joins the video chat and performs some acts of self-pleasure on themselves till orgasm is reached.

Several digital content providers use this method to maintain their lavish lifestyles, as several clients would not mind doubling the fee for preferential treatment and premium content.

For instance, when our correspondent joined Oge’s video chat on Tuesday evening, she was unclad. She was playing with a pleasure toy and making several moaning sounds.

“I hope you are enjoying it,” she said, twisting her body from one side of the video to the other. When our correspondent disconnected, she chatted him up, saying, “Did you get there?” and went offline for a bit.

She returned online after 24 minutes and was on another call when our correspondent tried to reach her.

A male client whom our correspondent traced from TikTok said he had followed the lady from her TikTok days.

“She has always been on TikTok until the app banned her for posting this explicit content. So, she devised a means to move us all to WhatsApp,” he said, in a short voice note he sent to this reporter and deleted almost immediately.

Oge is one amongst hundreds of other online sex vendors who hawk sexual intercourse online for men and women to patronise them.

A popular male blogger (name withheld) was also said to have run an online sex vendor business before he became a media sensation.

Several videos of him pleasuring himself and having subscribers paying to watch his content were recently posted online.

He did not deny the allegation. He even posted it on his official X handle and encouraged his followers to watch the video.

Also, recently, another female media sensation, who also hawked her body online for a fee was exposed as her self-pleasure videos were circulated on social media.

Although many called her a whore and tagged her a loose woman, several others rallied around her to give her emotional support.

Online advert, physical meeting

Selling sex online is just one of the many ways digital hook-ups work. Many other women, our correspondent learnt, would advertise themselves on social media.

One, who displayed her picture and phone number on the poster, said she offered different services ranging from actual intercourse to foreplay.

When our correspondent chatted with her, she gave her location as Igwurita, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and her name as Godsent.

Another, also in Port Harcourt, said she was discreet and would not let anyone know who her client base was.

“Oga, you have nothing to fear. For this Port Harcourt, nobody know me and nobody go know you. Na Ada George I dey. Whenever you enter PH, call me. I go do you well,” she said.

In Abuja, a man, simply known as Abuja Area Mama, is also making waves in the online sex business.

The muscular man, who is always dressed in female attires, claims to be a popular sex worker in the Federal Capital Territory.

In one of his videos on his TikTok page, he said he had been in the line of business since 2013 and was going to retire when he clocked 40.

He also claims to make between N100,000 to N500,000 on a very good business day from people who order his services, which range from massages to anal sex, online.

Another male content creator, who disguises as a cook, is also one person whom our correspondent discovered was into digital ‘hook-up’ services.

His cooking videos are done with almost nothing on. He also makes many seductive moves when he makes the dishes.

His commentators on Facebook who are impressed and send a comment are directed into his inbox for further conversation.

Our correspondent who reached out to him for one of his services was shocked when he sent his account number and asked if our correspondent wanted a physical or online ‘service’.

He also shared some intimate pictures with this reporter when asked for evidence that he indeed was not impersonating anyone.

There have also been several cases of popular actors accused of selling their bodies online for a fee. Although this claim cannot be substantiated by this reporter, several sources claimed that the entertainment industry was a fertile ground for digital hook-ups.

Apps, platforms

There are several applications to which Nigerian pleasure workers have successfully migrated.

One prominent platform that has gained traction among sex workers is the Olosho app.

Designed to help sex workers avoid encounters with law enforcement, this app offers a straightforward registration process accessible through Google’s Play Store.

Upon registration, users can upload photos and contact information while specifying their state of residence. This enables individuals to connect with potential clients discreetly and efficiently, arranging encounters to fulfil their desires.

The Olosho app also offers premium membership options, allowing users to access enhanced features for a fee. With pricing tiers catering to different preferences, individuals can choose the membership plan that best suits their needs.

This flexibility has contributed to the app’s popularity among both sex workers and clients, facilitating seamless transactions and fostering a sense of security for all parties involved.

Beyond the Olosho app, sex workers are exploring a variety of other platforms to expand their reach and enhance their business operations.

These platforms range from social media networks like Instagram and Twitter to messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram.

By leveraging these digital channels, sex workers can connect with a broader audience and streamline the process of arranging meetings and transactions.

In addition to traditional social media and messaging apps, sex workers are also turning to specialised platforms designed specifically for adult entertainment and sex work.

These platforms offer features tailored to the needs of sex workers, providing tools for marketing, communication, and payment processing. By utilizing these dedicated platforms, sex workers can access a range of resources and support services to optimize their business operations.

The rise of digital platforms has revolutionized the sex industry in Nigeria, offering sex workers new opportunities to conduct their trade and reach clients. However, this digital transformation also poses challenges, including issues related to privacy, security, and regulation.

As sex workers navigate this evolving landscape, they must remain vigilant and informed, adopting strategies to protect their safety and well-being while maximizing their earning potential.

A tech expert, Mr Olufemi Tayo, noted that despite these challenges the use of digital platforms has empowered sex workers to assert greater control over their work and livelihoods.

“By embracing technology, sex workers can operate more efficiently, expand their client base, and access resources and support services to enhance their business operations. In doing so, they are challenging societal norms and stereotypes, asserting their agency, and advocating for their rights within the sex industry,” he said.

The Internet and hook-up

Throughout history, prostitution has endured, transcending ancient civilizations to persist in contemporary society.

Urbanisation, especially prevalent in developing nations like Nigeria due to rural-urban migration, has fueled its growth.

In a new parlance, mostly championed by young people, this ‘act’ is now known as ‘hook-up’, where money is exchanged for sexual favours.

It is obvious that with the coming of several Information and Communication Technologies tools, the prostitution industry has been shaped. Its various forms have been delineated and scrutinised, identifying the underlying causes and contributing factors.

Several theories are explored, revealing prostitution’s detrimental effects on women’s health and its classification as a form of violence against women.

Consequences encompass violence, murder, sexually transmitted diseases, theft, and financial exploitation. Consequently, recommendations are proposed.

Over the past decade, the Internet has brought about significant transformations in the sex industry.

Sex work has experienced a rapid and unprecedented shift from outdoor and venue-based activities to indoor sex work facilitated by Information and Communication Technologies.

These changes have made a substantial portion of the industry less visible.

In Nigeria, the predominant form of sex work occurs within brothels or the private residences of sex workers.

This shift has also led to a growing number of young students and unemployed graduates engaging in sex work to earn income.

These individuals often work part-time as prostitutes, call girls, or are sometimes referred to as ‘Aristo girls’,  and their presence is reshaping the strategies employed by sex workers, according to research works by sociologists, Dr Gilbert Terdoo of the Benue State University, Makurdi, and Dr Moses Fegher of the Marist International University College, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya in October 2023.

A sociologist researcher at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Shagbaor Terungwa, noted that over the past decade, the Internet has brought about significant transformations in the sex industry.

Corroborating Terdoo and Fegher, she noted that sex work has experienced a rapid and unprecedented shift from outdoor and venue-based activities to indoor sex work facilitated by ICT and the Internet.

According to her, the intersection of ICT and prostitution involves various aspects where technology and the sex industry interact.

“The Internet has revolutionized the way sex workers promote their services and establish connections with clients.

“It has created a digital marketplace for sex work through websites, social media platforms, and classified ads.

“These online platforms enable sex workers to create profiles and listings, making it more convenient for them to reach potential clients discreetly.

“Additionally, there are specialized apps and websites tailored specifically to the escort and sex worker industry. These platforms streamline the booking of services, allowing clients to search for escorts, often complete with user reviews and ratings.

“To enhance the safety and security of sex workers, ICT tools come into play. Mobile applications and online communities serve as valuable resources for sharing information about potentially risky clients or locations.

“The use of GPS and location-sharing features on smartphones can also serve as safety measures. Digital payment methods, including cryptocurrencies, have gained popularity for transactions related to sex work.

“These methods provide a degree of anonymity for both clients and sex workers.

“Online forums, chat groups, and social media communities provide spaces where sex workers can discuss safety precautions, share advice, and offer support to one another. These online communities play a vital role in information exchange and fostering solidarity among sex workers,” she said.

She also stated that the digital landscape has given rise to legal and regulatory challenges concerning prostitution. Some regions have implemented laws targeting online sex work advertisements or platforms that facilitate sex work, while others have opted to regulate and introduce safety measures.

Another sociologist who retired as a professor from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ibironke Adetanwa, stated that social media and online sex work have become rampant because of the declining moral standards in the world.

“It is alarming how our children have decided to tow this line of work rather than do honourable jobs where they would not have to hide or sell themselves cheap just to make it,” she said.

Outlining the various risks, she said the online prostitution industry would not boom if they did not have anyone patronising them.

Hardship increasing sex workers?

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, also known as UNAIDS, a global initiative established in 1996 by the United Nations to lead and coordinate the global response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, stated in 2017, that there were a total of 103,506 sex workers on and offline in Nigeria.

Stears, in 2020, put the figure at around 176,400 female sex workers alone. This is a huge percentage of Nigeria’s 200 million population.

A Bayelsa State-based legal practitioner, Mrs Tombra Sekibo, stated that sex workers have been facing severe human rights abuses and multiple forms of discrimination in Nigeria.

She said, “According to the Nigerian Constitution, sex work is not specifically criminalised, however, anyone who ‘benefits from the proceeds of sex work’ may face a jail term. Sex workers can be punished when caught negotiating sex ‘aggressively’ with a client.

“Sex workers are harassed and punished by law enforcement agencies that apply administrative offences.

“In Northern states, the policing of sex work is so punitive in some cases that it calls for stoning of a woman caught doing sex work.

“In Southern Nigeria, the activities of “pimps” or madams, underage prostitution, and the operation or ownership of brothels are penalised under sections 223, 224, and 225 of the Nigerian Criminal Code.

“Even though under Nigerian law, sex work is not decriminalised, the wording is vague if such work is performed by an independent individual who operates on his or her own accord without the use of managers or a brothel.”

As Nigeria grapples with the removal of petrol subsidy, sex workers find themselves navigating economic hardships amidst the broader financial strain felt across the nation.

The elimination of subsidies has led to significant increases in the cost of living, placing additional financial burdens on already marginalized communities, including sex workers.

In response to these challenges, sex workers, our correspondent learnt, are employing various strategies to cope with the economic downturn.

An executive member of the Oyo State branch of the Nigerian Sex Workers’ Association, also known as Precious Jewels, Sandra Oma, said one such strategy involves diversifying their client base and expanding their services to appeal to a wider range of individuals.

The NSWA, according to its website, is an umbrella network of community-based sex workers’ organisations. NSWA is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation focusing on the health, social, and human rights of sex workers.

“By offering additional services or catering to niche markets, sex workers can generate alternative sources of income to offset the impact of rising prices and reduced spending power,” she said.

Furthermore, she added that sex workers are leveraging digital platforms and social media to market their services and connect with potential clients.

“In an increasingly digital world, online platforms offer sex workers a convenient and accessible way to reach a broader audience and attract new clientele.

“By establishing a strong online presence and utilizing effective marketing strategies, sex workers can adapt to changing economic conditions and maintain a steady stream of income.

“Additionally, sex workers are forming support networks and collaborating with their peers to navigate the economic challenges they face. By sharing resources, information, and insights, sex workers can pool their collective knowledge and expertise to develop strategies for financial resilience and sustainability.

“These support networks also provide a sense of community and solidarity, offering emotional support and camaraderie during difficult times,” Oma said.

Despite the economic challenges they face, the sex worker added that members of her association were resilient and resourceful, finding innovative ways to adapt to changing circumstances and sustain their livelihoods. By embracing flexibility, creativity, and collaboration, sex workers are demonstrating their ability to overcome adversity and thrive in the face of economic hardship.

Solutions

The rise of online prostitution and sex work, facilitated by digital platforms and social media, presents a complex challenge with profound social and ethical implications. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both the root causes and the specific challenges posed by digital spaces.

In a world entrenched in patriarchal norms, the battle against prostitution presents a multifaceted challenge.

Merely decrying the practice without addressing the underlying issue of commodifying women’s bodies feels disjointed.

A sociologist, Mr Haruna Isah, stated that as long as governments tolerate prostitution, violence against women will persist, thwarting efforts to eradicate it.

“Various strategies can be employed to tackle this complex issue. Prostitution inherently exploits and abuses women, necessitating its outlawing.

“Simultaneously, it’s crucial to explore alternative avenues to address men’s social and sexual identity issues. Globally, there must be a consensus that prostitution violates women’s rights and dignity, contributing to human trafficking and paedophilia.

“Recognising prostitution as a form of violence is paramount. Legalising it only perpetuates exploitation. Poverty, particularly among women, is a significant driver of trafficking. Creating legal migration channels while safeguarding the interests of vulnerable groups can help mitigate this issue,” he said.

In combating prostitution, Isah said prioritising the welfare of women and children over state interests is imperative. The notion of ‘consent’ in prostitution is often illusory, with economic necessity often driving women into the trade. Addressing the erosion of traditional values due to urbanization is essential.

He added, “Before implementing strategies to combat prostitution, addressing these underlying social and economic factors is crucial. Only then can we develop effective and comprehensive solutions to tackle this complex issue plaguing societies worldwide.”

Adetanwa, also speaking stated that efforts should focus on addressing the underlying factors that drive individuals, particularly young men and women, into online prostitution.

“Economic vulnerability or poverty, lack of educational and employment opportunities, and societal stigma around sex work are among the key drivers. Therefore, providing alternative avenues for income generation, such as vocational training, entrepreneurship programs, and job placement services, can help mitigate the economic pressures that push individuals toward online prostitution.

“Additionally, comprehensive sex education programs should be implemented to empower young people with knowledge about healthy relationships, sexual health, and consent. By equipping individuals with the information and skills they need to make informed choices about their sexual behaviour, we can reduce the likelihood of them turning to online prostitution as a means of financial survival.

“Furthermore, there is a need for targeted interventions to address the specific challenges posed by digital platforms and social media in facilitating online prostitution.

“This includes collaborating with tech companies to develop and enforce policies that prohibit the promotion of sexual services and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals on their platforms. Additionally, raising awareness among users about the risks and consequences of engaging in online prostitution, including the potential for exploitation, trafficking, and legal repercussions, can help deter participation in these activities,” she said.

A senior developmental and clinical psychologist, Mr Usen Essien, noted that it was essential to provide support and resources for individuals who are currently engaged in online prostitution to help them transition to safer and more sustainable livelihoods.

“This may include access to counselling, legal assistance, vocational training, and job placement services, as well as opportunities for social and economic empowerment.

“Ultimately, addressing online prostitution requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach that tackles the root causes of the issue while also addressing the specific challenges posed by digital spaces.

“By providing alternative opportunities, empowering individuals with knowledge and skills, and offering support for those who are already engaged in online prostitution, we can work towards creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive without resorting to selling themselves cheaply online,” he added.