Shade Ajayi, a 50 year old businesswoman had never set foot in a classroom but now she is presently a pupil in one of the Grammar Schools
The businesswoman is happily learning to read and write alongside students nearly four decades younger than her.
Donning the pink dress and bonnet that make up her uniform, she joins hundreds of similarly dressed pupils at a school in Ilorin, in Nigeria's western Kwara state to study.
As a child, she worked in her aunt's shop instead of attending school. She now runs her own business making and selling purses and bags, but believes her inability to read or write is holding her back.
Ajayi signed up to attend school in the last academic year, only for it to close due to the coronavirus pandemic. But schools reopened in January and Ajayi finally got her chance.
Ajayi's teacher, Nasrat Busari, said the mature student appeared completely undeterred by the age gap.
Ajayi still makes bags and purses after finishing classes at 4pm, and an apprentice serves her customers during school hours.
She intends to continue her education for four more years, saying it will help her business.
According to her.
"People around me can read and write and they are succeeding in their businesses," said Ajayi.
And of those who might ridicule her efforts, she said: "It's my duty not to pay attention to what they're saying."
