An Open Letter to the Nigerian Mother Who Is Struggling to Survive

 Dear Nigerian Mother,

I see you.

I see you waking up before the sun rises in Nigeria, not because you slept enough — but because responsibility does not wait.

I see you calculating money in your head before your feet touch the ground.

School fees.

Food prices.

Transport fare.

House rent.

And somehow, you are expected to make everything work.

You carry more than a handbag.

You carry a family.

Some days you smile in front of your children so they will not see the fear in your eyes.

Some nights you lie awake, wondering how tomorrow will happen.

The price of food rises.

Fuel increases.

Bills multiply.

But your strength remains.

You may sell in the market.

You may run a small shop.

You may work long hours as a cleaner, trader, teacher, or businesswoman.

You may even do unpaid labor at home that no one applauds.

Yet you keep going.

You stretch one meal into two.

You turn little into enough.

You sacrifice your comfort so your children can have a chance.

Let me tell you something important:

You are not failing.

Even if the money is not enough.

Even if life feels unfair.

Even if you cry when no one is watching.

You are not weak.

You are brave.

You are raising children in the middle of economic storms.

You are loving in the middle of pressure.

You are standing when it would be easier to collapse.

And to the single mothers doing it alone —

You are warriors.

The world may not celebrate you loudly.

The government may not reward you.

But your children will one day understand.

One day they will say,

“My mother survived so I could succeed.”

Please, take care of yourself too.

Rest when you can.

Ask for help when you need it.

Do not carry shame for struggling — struggling is not a crime.

You are doing your best in a difficult environment.

And that is more than enough.

May God bless our mothers in Jesus name amen 🙏🙏