A grandmother in Nigeria has become the center of attention after she reportedly brought six live chickens to her grandchildren’s school to pay for their school fees.
The children had earlier been sent home because their school fees had not been paid. Since the grandmother did not have enough money, she brought the chickens, hoping the school would accept them instead of cash.
The story was brought to public attention via a post on X (formerly Twitter) by user twitter @PH_Socials. The post included photos of the elderly woman sitting calmly with the chickens by her side, while another individual appeared to be inspecting the animals, presumably school staff.
According to the post, the woman accompanied her grandchildren back to the school, hoping the poultry would be accepted in lieu of cash payment, which she was unable to afford.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Man Accuses Police Officer of Selling Stolen Hilux to Him
The post quickly went viral, with many people reacting online. Some praised the grandmother for doing everything she could to keep her grandchildren in school. Others expressed sadness that someone had to trade animals for education in a country with many natural resources.
“This is not just about school fees. It’s about a broken system,” wrote one user.
Another commented, “They better collect, you know how much a chicken costs now.”
Some social media users called for direct action to support the woman and her grandchildren. “We need to find this family and help. What happens when there are no more chickens left to trade?” wrote @maiwadaSNasir.
Critics also highlighted the deeper implications of the story, pointing to the irony of such scenes in a resource-rich country like Nigeria. “A blessed country with all these resources, and yet grandmothers are paying school fees with livestock? It’s a shame,” one commenter lamented.
As of the time of reporting, it remains unclear whether the school accepted the chickens as payment. However, the story has ignited a broader conversation about poverty, access to education, and the lengths to which some families must go to ensure their children remain in school.
Calls are growing across social media platforms for well-meaning Nigerians and influencers to locate the grandmother and offer support, with many describing her as a symbol of resilience in the face of economic adversity.