50-Year-Old Nigerian Woman Returns to School to Fulfill Lifelong Dream of Education

At 50 years old, Sade Ajayi has defied the odds by enrolling in junior secondary school to learn how to read and write, proving that education has no age limit. 

Now a Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS2) student at Ilorin Grammar School in Kwara State, Sade never had the opportunity to attend school as a child, instead working in her aunt’s shop before becoming an entrepreneur, sewing and selling bags and purses. 

However, she struggled with reading and writing, which made running her business challenging, pushing her to finally pursue her dream of education. 

Despite being nearly 40 years older than her classmates, Sade confidently wears her school uniform and fully participates in lessons, answering questions and engaging with younger students. 

While her daughter initially felt embarrassed, she has come to admire her mother’s determination and now fully supports her journey. 

Even with her academic commitments, Sade continues to manage her business, with an assistant helping during school hours. 

She plans to complete at least four more years of education, believing it will improve her business skills and possibly open doors for her to become a teacher. 

Despite facing criticism and discouragement, Sade remains focused on her goal, determined to prove that it’s never too late to learn and succeed.