It’s never too late to learn, says 50-year-old Shade Ajayi, who attends Ilorin grammar school in Kwara state, Nigeria
Shade Ajayi had never set foot in a classroom until middle age now 50, the businesswoman is happily learning to read and write alongside students nearly four decades younger.
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.
As well as schooling, Ajayi runs her own business making and selling purses and bags. As a child, Ajayi worked in her aunt’s shop instead of attending school, and she believes her inability to read or write is holding her back.
Her daughter was initially embarrassed that her mother attended school, but now understands that she never had the chance when she was younger.
Ajayi signed up to attend school in the last academic year, only for it to close due to the coronavirus pandemic. When schools reopened in January, Ajayi finally got her chance.
Ajayi still makes bags and purses after finishing classes at 4pm, and an apprentice serves her customers during school hours.
‘People around me can read and write and they are succeeding in their businesses,’ said Ajayi. She intends to continue her education for four more years, saying it will help her business. It has been hard to juggle classes and work, and deal with the stigma, but Ajayi says she is not ashamed to wear a school uniform
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