In a rare act of honesty, a low-income cleaner in Maiduguri, Borno State, has returned a sum of ₦4.8 million that was mistakenly transferred to her bank account.
The woman, identified as Faiza Abdulkadir, earns a modest salary of ₦30,000 per month working at a local health centre. Despite her financial struggles and responsibilities as a mother of five, Faiza chose to do what many consider extraordinary—she returned every kobo of the money.
Speaking with journalists in Maiduguri, the 42-year-old explained that it was her fear of God and the desire for peace of mind that motivated her decision.
“The money was not mine. I wanted peace of mind and to avoid God’s punishment on the Day of Judgement,” she said with conviction.
Faiza revealed that it took her three stressful days of going back and forth to the bank to sort out the return process. During that period, she said she found it difficult to sleep or even eat properly, as the burden weighed heavily on her conscience.
“I could not rest or eat properly during those days until I returned it,” she added.
According to her, she noticed the large credit alert on her mobile phone and was immediately alarmed. She had never seen such an amount before in her life and knew it wasn’t meant for her. She quickly informed the bank and insisted that the money be traced and returned to its rightful owner.
Her neighbours and co-workers at the health centre were full of praise for her, describing her as a disciplined woman who has always lived a simple life. Her story has since spread across Maiduguri, drawing admiration and sparking public discussion about integrity in today’s society.
One of the bank officials who handled the case described Faiza’s action as “exceptional”, especially given her financial condition.
“Despite her situation, she chose to do the right thing. It shows her strong values and moral upbringing,” the official said.
He further explained that there have been previous instances where people spent such money and later faced serious legal consequences, but Faiza’s honesty helped avoid that kind of crisis.
Faiza’s story comes at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges of corruption, dishonesty, and financial misconduct at many levels of society. Her decision stands in stark contrast to many stories of people who take advantage of system errors for personal gain.
On social media, many Nigerians have expressed both amazement and admiration for Faiza. Some called for her to be officially recognised by the Borno State Government or rewarded for her honesty.
“Someone earning ₦30,000 a month returned ₦4.8 million? That’s real integrity. She deserves national recognition,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).
Another said, “This woman has more integrity than many public officials. Nigeria needs more people like her.”
Faiza, however, insists that she is not seeking praise or reward for her actions. She said all she wanted was to please her conscience and live in peace.
“I did it for God. I didn’t do it to be on the news or get anything in return,” she said.
She went on to encourage others to always choose the right path, even when faced with temptation. “The money may have solved my problems for a while, but I would have lost my peace forever,” she concluded.
Religious leaders in Maiduguri have also commended Faiza’s decision, using her as an example in sermons and teachings about honesty and God-fearing behaviour. Some called on the government and NGOs to support her family and ensure her children receive quality education, citing her as a role model for Nigerian youth.
In a time when stories of fraud, cybercrime, and financial dishonesty make daily headlines, Faiza Abdulkadir’s humble yet powerful act of returning ₦4.8 million has reminded many Nigerians that integrity still exists—even in the most unlikely of places.
Her story now serves not just as news, but as a lesson in ethics, humility, and faith, and is a much-needed inspiration in today’s challenging times.
