Living here comes with its fair share of daily struggles: Lagos traffic, power outages, and the occasional danfo drama. But amidst all of that, there are everyday acts of kindness in Nigeria that remind us people can still be good.
We asked Nigerians to share unforgettable acts of kindness they’ve experienced, and their stories prove that even the tiniest gestures can leave the biggest impact.
1. “The Stranger with an Umbrella” – *Tola, 22
”I’ll never forget this day in 2021. I was on my way back from class at UNILAG, and out of nowhere it started raining. I had no umbrella, my notes were exposed, and I was already panicking about getting drenched. A middle-aged woman walking past just stopped, looked at me, and said, ‘Come under my umbrella, my dear.’ She literally walked me from the main road all the way to the hostel gate, even though it wasn’t her direction. We didn’t even exchange names, but that moment made me feel so seen. Since then, I carry an extra umbrella in my bag just in case I can do the same for someone else.
2. “A Stranger Paid My Transport Fare” – *Ibrahim, 28
I was in a danfo one hot afternoon, heading to Ikeja, and I realized too late that my wallet was missing. The driver was already yelling at me like I was trying to ‘enter for free.’ I was embarrassed to say the least. Then this guy in a suit, who didn’t even look at me twice, just paid my fare and said, ‘Don’t worry about it, e go better.’ That line stuck with me. It wasn’t just about the ₦300 fare. It was about someone showing me grace when I felt small. I think about him whenever I see someone stranded.
3. “My Neighbor Saved Me Dinner” – *Amaka, 19
One night after a long shift at work, I got home so tired and realized I had nothing left to eat. I was about to just drink garri and sleep, but my neighbor, Blessing, knocked on my door with a plate of jollof rice and fried fish. She said, ‘I made extra, thought you’d want some.’ It was such a simple gesture, but at that moment, I almost cried. It reminded me that kindness doesn’t always have to be big, it can be as simple as a plate of rice.
4. “The Bus Conductor Who Defended Me” – *Seyi, 25
I once entered a bus from Ojota, and the driver tried to cheat me out of my change. I didn’t want to argue too much because the whole bus was watching, and I felt so small. Out of nowhere, the conductor—yes, the same tough-looking guy we usually think is rude—stood up for me. He shouted at the driver to return my money. He didn’t even know me. That day, I learned that kindness can come from the most unexpected people.”
5. “The Little Girl Who Shared Her Sweet” – *Fola, 21
When I was feeling really low one evening, I took a walk around my estate. I sat on a bench looking lost. A little girl playing nearby walked up to me and handed me a small sweet from her pocket. She didn’t say anything, just smiled and ran off. I know it sounds small, but that moment broke me. It felt like the universe was reminding me there’s still sweetness in the world—literally.
*Names have been changed to maintain the anonymity of contributors.
