Looking back at our school days in Nigeria, one cannot help but laugh at the hilarious antics that defined our time as students. Whether you attended a government school or a private institution, some experiences cut across all divides. These moments were not just funny; they shaped the unique essence of growing up Nigerian.
- Turning water into tea
Remember when we would bring hot water in a flask and insist it was tea? A few spoons of milk, two cubes of sugar, and just a whisper of Lipton or Milo were enough to convince our mates we were sipping something fancy. Sometimes, it was just plain hot water with brown colouring, but we drank it with pride.
- The unwritten rule of ‘Noisemakers’
Every class had a noise monitor. And somehow, that person always ended up writing the noisiest names, excluding their own. The teacher would return with a cane and a long list of suspects, and the entire class would go silent as names were called. Some would even cry before the flogging began, hoping for mercy.
- Hiding food during inspection
Boarding house students know this all too well. Senior students would sneak in contraband like cabin biscuits, sardines, and sweets, only to hide them inside buckets, wrapped in dirty clothes, or under the bed. During inspection, you had to look calm even when your provisions were under threat. If caught, that food was as good as gone.
- Wearing one sock or Mismatched footwear
To avoid punishment during morning assembly, we became creative. Lost a sock? No problem. Just wear one and stand at the back. Left your sandals at home? Mix and match, and hope nobody looks down. Prefects were always on the lookout, but some of us became masters of disguise.
- Copying homework in the morning
The race to copy assignments before the bell rang was real. You’d find groups of students bent over a notebook, frantically scribbling down answers while shouting, “Wait, don’t turn the page!” Even worse were those who copied the name along with the answers and had to tear out the page and start again.
- Pretending to be ill to avoid class
Who hasn’t feigned a stomach ache or headache just to avoid a boring subject? We’d head to the sick bay, clutching our stomachs dramatically, hoping to be excused from Maths or Agric. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes the nurse just handed you paracetamol and sent you back to class.
These memories may seem silly now, but they brought laughter, built friendships, and gave us stories to tell for life. Being a Nigerian student was not just about books and exams, it was about surviving the system with a sense of humour and unbreakable spirit.
What funny moments do you remember from your school days?