Teachers and students at Adiedo Mixed Secondary School were left emotional after an elderly woman arrived at the school gate carrying six live chickens as payment for her granddaughter’s unpaid school fees. The unexpected gesture followed the school’s decision to send the young girl home over the outstanding balance.
The grandmother, whose name was not immediately disclosed, explained to teachers that she had no money but couldn’t bear to see her granddaughter miss more classes. The poultry, she said, were among her last remaining assets. The moving moment reportedly became even more symbolic when one of the hens laid an egg on the school premises, a moment some described as a divine sign.
Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere as deeply emotional, with teachers visibly touched by the grandmother’s sacrifice. “We see parents default on fees all the time, but this was different. This was a raw, honest attempt to give everything she had for the sake of her granddaughter’s future,” a school staff member said.
The event has triggered widespread discussions online, with many Nigerians praising the grandmother’s courage and resilience in the face of poverty. Others have called on government officials and NGOs to intervene and support such families who are determined to educate their children despite crushing economic conditions.
Local education advocates are now urging the school board and Ministry of Education to adopt policies that prevent bright students from being turned away over unpaid fees, especially in cases of proven hardship. “No child should be punished for being poor,” one advocate emphasized. “This story is both heartbreaking and inspiring.”
As of Thursday morning, videos and photos of the grandmother cradling the chickens had gone viral across social media platforms. Donations have reportedly started pouring in from well-meaning Nigerians seeking to support the girl’s education and improve the family’s living conditions.
The grandmother’s actions serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices many unsung heroes make daily to secure a better future for the next generation. Her story has not only touched hearts but has reignited conversations around education access, rural poverty, and the enduring power of love and resilience.
