I paid my sister's school fees for two years before I found out she wasn't even in school

Two years ago, my younger sister Aisha calls me from Kaduna and says she got a partial scholarship for her final year at ABU. She said she only needed ₦150,000 to cover the balance. I was so proud of her. I sent the money that same day.

Every semester after that, she would call with some story. The scholarship didn't cover accommodation. Then it didn't cover project fees. Then she needed extra for her thesis. I kept sending, almost ₦400,000 total over two years. My husband would ask me why I was so tired all the time. I told him it was work stress.

Last December, I travelled to Kaduna for my aunt's wedding. I stopped by the school to surprise Aisha. The registrar looked at me confused. He said Aisha stopped attending two years ago. She never even registered for her final year.

I found her at my mother's house. She broke down and confessed. She said she was depressed, couldn't cope, and didn't know how to tell anyone. So she created the scholarship story to keep me from asking questions.

I sat there for a long time. Part of me wanted to scream. But I looked at her and saw myself at 19, scared and lost. I told her the truth would have hurt less than the lies. She starts evening classes next month. I will pay. But this time I will see the receipts myself.