A cleaner at a tertiary hospital in Maiduguri, Borno State, Faiza Abdulkadir, has become the subject of national admiration after she returned N4.8 million that was mistakenly credited to her bank account.
The story, first reported by News Central TV on August 24, quickly went viral on social media platform X, with many Nigerians praising her rare display of honesty amid the country’s economic hardship.
Faiza, who earns N30,000 monthly and lives with her five children in a single room donated by prominent cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Sali at Gongi, said she could not bring herself to keep the money.
“When I confirmed it was genuine, I knew it wasn’t my money.
That was why I decided to transfer it back—for my peace of mind and for paradise,” she explained in her native language during the interview. “For three days, I could not eat because of fear. I only felt relief after I returned it.”
Residents in Maiduguri have hailed her as a role model. Salius Yusuf, a community member, said her action was exceptional in today’s society. “People are taking ownership of money that is not theirs, and yet we have someone like this.
Just look at her own condition, yet she is thinking about life after death,” he said.
Activist Bashir Mohammed also called for government recognition. “These are the kind of women who deserve national honour. Despite her struggles, she returned the money. That is amazing,” he said.
Her integrity has since inspired donations, with over N135,000 raised to support her and her family.
Many Nigerians are now urging the government and well-meaning individuals to empower her and ensure her living conditions improve.