I Paid My Son's School Fees With My Father's Land and Lied About It for 11 Years

The year was 2009. My second son gained admission to study medicine at University of Ibadan and I had nothing. My salary as a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Education was ₦78,000 that month after deductions. School fees alone was ₦180,000. I sat on my veranda that evening and did not eat.

So I did what I swore I would never do. I sold the plot of land my late father left me in the village. Two acres. I collected ₦450,000 from a man who did not even bargain. I told my wife I got a loan from my cooperative. I told my siblings nothing. For 11 years, every time we had family meeting and the topic of Baba's land came up, I kept quiet and looked at my shoes.

Last year, my younger brother wanted to build on that same land. The whole thing came out. My eldest sister cried. My brother called me a thief. But my son is now Dr. Tunde Babatunde, a cardiologist in Abuja. The Yoruba say bi oba ti ri ni mo ti n ri. I do not know if what I did was right or wrong. I only know that some debts you pay with your peace.