‘BRT challenge’ creator Darkskinned Ella reveals why she quit her 9-to-5 job

Nigerian content creator Onyinyechi Nwachukwu, popularly known as Darkskinned Ella, has revealed that her decision to resign from her 9-to-5 job was influenced by events that unfolded after she returned from an international trip to Zanzibar.

The 24-year-old disclosed this in a post shared on her Instagram page, weeks after announcing that she had left her job.

Reflecting on her experience, Ella said many people assumed she enjoyed her workplace because of how she carried herself publicly.

She said: “It’s funny how, after I left, so many people said, I’m sure you’re going to miss that place, you were so happy.

“The truth is, not everything is as it seems.”

According to the content creator, the experience changed her perspective on relationships and taught her the importance of discernment.

She said: “Life has taught me that not everyone who smiles with you is genuinely for you, and that’s why discernment is so important.

“The sudden change caught me off guard, but I’m grateful for the experience because it made me stronger. 

“I’ve made peace with it, I’ve moved on, and I’m taking the lessons with me.

“No regrets. Just growth.”

Although she did not reveal what happened, Ella hinted that everything changed after her return from Zanzibar.

She said: “Everything happened when I came back from Zanzibar.”

The content creator travelled to Zanzibar in May, where she documented what she described as her first international brand trip across her social media platforms.

In June, Ella announced that she had resigned from her job, citing stress and the daily challenge of commuting between her home and office.

She wrote: “So I resigned from my 9-5 without having everything figured out.

“Most of the days I would edit on the bus.

“A day before I resigned, I found myself sleeping on a bus and sleeping at the office.

“Please do not stay far from your office.”

Ella rose to prominence after documenting overcrowded Bus Rapid Transit terminals in Lagos through her “100 Days BRT Challenge.”

The campaign highlighted the daily struggles of commuters and attracted widespread attention after she was confronted by transport officials while filming at a BRT station.

Speaking in an interview, Ella explained the motivation behind the challenge.

She said: “As a full-time 9-to-5 worker and content creator, my days are very demanding.

“So, I decided to document 100 days of my life to show the reality of my daily experiences and struggles in Lagos State.”

Following the viral videos, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority announced measures to improve bus availability, while the Lagos State Commissioner for Information also reached out to her, assuring her that the issues she raised would be addressed.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖