12 People Tell Us Their Greatest Sapa Moment

There comes a time in a man’s life, a point so low that the only place left to go is up. That lowest point, that point where nothing seems to be working at all, in Nigeria, is called ‘sapa’.

In this week of Afrogist, twelve people tell us their greatest sapa moment.

“Well, I was so broke that one day the only thing I had in my hostel was Garri and cold water. As per man must chop, I carried the last N50 in my hand downstairs and bought biscuit as groundnut was not even an option. The thing no dey fit full belle with Garry again. That’s how I soaked garri and digestive biscuit ooo. I just dey think my life as I dey swallow am. Thank God for those days sha.. But omo...doings no do pass this one😭😂😂😂😂😂

PS: soaking Garri and digestive biscuit go well sha. If you’re a student, you definitely should try this combo. He dey hold belle. Thank me later😙🙈”

Zia (F)
Nigeria 🇳🇬

“One time in 200L, I didn’t have money, like at allllll. I’d trek to & fro my hostel far inside JB, Ekosodin and tell myself I was working out. The peak was when my raw noodles finished after eating it for like three days straight. I had a cup of yellow garri that I made into eba and ate it with red oil and salt. Poverty is the ghetto mannn, and I’d die ten times over than be in that position again.”

Amara (F)
Lagos, Nigeria

“I remember when sapa held me, I had only two pants which were sewn with needle and thread. I will wear one in the morning, turn it inside out and put it on after bathing in the night.”

UB (F)
Nigeria

“I owed a food seller #750 for like a week. Had to start taking the next street to get to my destination to avoid her. Meanwhile, the next street is almost three times the trekking distance. Did that for a month before getting enough money to pay her back.

Life was hard. We thank God for change.”

Maxwell (M)
Lagos

“I had like half a cup of egusi.

I cooked it with nothing but luckily a neighbor’s bitter leaf grew close to the fence so I added it to spice up my soup with eba.”

Hi (F)
Nigeria

“I beg person to on hotspot…the person tell me say my breathe dey smell like poverty…I just hated myself that day…just because I am broke…sapa well done.”

Cristy (F)

“I was once so hungry I went into my room and cried for 3 hours straight, lamenting at my wretched condition. Afterward, I brushed up my face, applied makeup, and went to do a photoshoot for a Vogue times photo for my brand. The irony of it all. Person wey no fit chop three square meal dey grace magazine cover. Irony! Las las my hustle must pay for this life.”

The Racy (F)

“Omo one time I was so broke I had to beg someone for money to buy sub..the person still whine me on top…omo poverty na bastard+ vanity abeg.

Tracy (F)

“Was so broke that I cooked oil rice without oil, pepper or anything. The rice just had salt and Maggie, and absolutely nothing else. I had to close my eyes to eat that food. It was 2019, and I’d never forget that terrible experience. Just kept praying to God that none of my friends come visiting or else my poverty would be in front of the entire world!”

12 People Share Their Secret Christmas Wishes

T-man (F)

“Can never forget the time I was squatting with someone and would always go to the hostel common room to sleep because she refused to let me sleep on her bed with her. Agh, I was food for mosquitoes for a whole semester”

TENI
Benin 🇧🇯

“Well, it was when I wasn’t getting late payments, and then I had spent all my money, the last money in my account was like 1k thereabout, so I was stuck trying to decide to use it to eat or to subscribe. Brethren and sistren, you won’t believe which one I picked😂😂😂.”

Somebody (M)
Benin 🇧🇯

“Mine was sad and hilarious at the same time. I had like a lot of money, so I invited this guy to come over so we could chill. Bought suya, drinks and everything and it was truly great. But there’s life after D na. When he left that morning, (I refused help from him as I was forming big girl), omoooo… I was so broke.

To make matters worse, I was already owing the woman in front money. I could not tell my friends na cause even I could see the foolishness in what I did. I just stayed hungry, eating once a day till month ended and they sent me money. I was still in the university at that time.🤦🏽‍♀️”

NAIA (F)
Benin 🇧🇯

Yes, in life there are always ups and downs. However, it is our ability to withstand these occasional storms that makes us human. Well, how about you? What was the lowest point in your life and how did you find yourself there?

Happy Weekend 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬