A Nigerian mother drew outrage online after voicing her frustration with an orphan girl she took in and later asked payment for her services.
The story was posted anonymously in the Young Wives and Mothers Group, where the woman asked for advice on how to handle the situation.
According to the woman, the 20-year-old girl approached her earlier this year, appealing for help and stating that she had nowhere to live after being evicted from her former home.
She stated that she was moved by her circumstances and opted to accommodate the girl in her house without formal documentation, but her tale was later corroborated through background checks.
She claimed that the arrangement included providing the child with shelter, food, and basic care, in exchange for the girl assisting with domestic duties and errands at her shop.
The woman maintained that there was no agreement regarding income or formal schooling support because she could not afford it.
at exchange, the girl reportedly did housework, cared for her children, and worked at the shop.
She described the child as hard-working and respectful for the first few months, adding she carried out her chores diligently and without complaint.
In April, the girl approached her and asked for a little monthly payment of between ₦10,000 and ₦15,000.
The woman stated that the request enraged her because she believed the initial agreement did not involve any sort of compensation.
She admitted to reacting emotionally and physically, stating that she “knocked her head” during the argument.
Following the encounter, the mother noticed a shift in the girl’s behaviour, claiming she became quieter, less energetic, and less focused on her responsibilities.
She also said that the girl no longer had the same degree of enthusiasm and dedication, which caused further tension between them.
The woman then revealed that she had warned the girl that if she did not improve her performance, she would be sent away.
According to her, the child reacted calmly and without pleading or apologising. She sought assistance on social media after feeling troubled.
Read her words below:
“Good morning ma please why is it that people are so ungrateful?? An orphan girl came to my shop early this year to plead with me for a job that she doesn’t have where to sleep anymore. I consider the fact that she’s a girl child and won’t want her on the street so I took her in even without knowing her properly. Later I did some background check on her and she was actually saying the truth.
So I told her she can stay with me, but nothing like education or salary oh cos I don’t have the power. She will do all house chores in the house then meet me at shop and still run shop errands. The arrangement is she eats 3 square meals and has a room to herself. No payment whatsoever, she agreed.
From January till now this young girl has been a very good girl. She works like a machine, no complaint, no tiredness. I’m enjoying her so much because I have 3 kids and she handles them so well.
To the main issue, this April she came to kneel in my front, looked me in the eyes with no fear and asked me to consider payment, that she still needs to be earning something even if it is 15k or 10k. Honestly I lost my cool. How can I provide all these things and you still come and ask me to pay you?
That’s why people don’t like helping. I was so angry, I knocked her head several times, I’m saying that because I was wrong on that one. Since then I noticed she doesn’t give her best again. She doesn’t eat much, doesn’t talk much.
Yesterday I still called her to threaten her that if she doesn’t work like before she will be out on the street. She didn’t beg or apologize, she just said okay ma.
I need advice because if I follow how I feel she will be on the street again before evening.”
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