A Nigerian woman has sparked heated reactions online after sharing her frustration over an orphan girl she took in, who later requested to be paid for her work.
The story was posted anonymously in the Young Wives and Mothers Group, where the woman sought advice on how to handle the situation.
The Homeless Girl
According to the woman, the 20-year-old girl approached her earlier in the year, pleading for help and explaining that she had nowhere to stay after being sent away from her previous residence.
Moved by her situation, she said she decided to accommodate the girl in her home without formal documentation but later confirmed her story through background checks.
She explained that the arrangement included providing the girl with shelter, food, and basic care, while the girl assisted with household chores and errands at her shop.
Work Without Pay
The woman stated that there was no agreement for salary or formal education support, as she claimed she could not afford it.
In return, the girl reportedly handled housework, helped care for her children, and assisted in the shop.
She described the girl as hardworking and respectful during the first few months, saying she carried out her duties diligently without complaints
Request for Payment Causes Conflict
However, the situation changed in April when the girl reportedly approached her to request a small monthly payment, suggesting an amount between ₦10,000 and ₦15,000.
The woman said the request angered her, as she believed the initial agreement did not include any form of salary.
She admitted reacting emotionally and physically, acknowledging that she “knocked her head” during the confrontation.
Change in Behaviour
Following the incident, the woman noted a change in the girl’s behavior, claiming she became quieter, less active, and less engaged in her duties.
She also alleged that the girl no longer showed the same level of enthusiasm and dedication, which led to further tension between them.
Threat of Eviction
The woman revealed that she later warned the girl that she could be sent away if her performance did not improve.
According to her, the girl responded calmly without pleading or apologizing. Feeling disturbed, she turned to social media to seek advice. In her words:
“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.”
See below;
