Toddler who habitually loitered around school gets enrolled as pupil

For Amatala Musa, a little girl based in Abuja, acquiring formal education at a tender age is a “sine qua non” — a necessity that must not bypass her notwithstanding the circumstances.

To achieve this aspiration, the toddler began to habitually loiter around the premises of the Not Forgotten Initiative (NFI) school, a non-profit centre for learning set up in the FCT with the sole purpose of providing free access to education to vulnerable children.

Amatala, who is not a pupil of the school, however, caught the attention of the management after she showed up in her usual spot but looking different.

The little albeit determined girl arrived at the school premises on Thursday dressed in her brother’s uniform and shoes, which were oversize.

Amatala’s perseverance finally paid off despite the fact that the school “is not currently admitting students, and does not admit children under three years of age.”

In a Twitter thread on Friday, NFI school said the management was stunned by the less than three-year-old girl’s determination and decided to enroll her in the school.

“Meet the tenacious little Amatala Musa! Amatala is not our student, her siblings are but every now and again we would notice her hang around school premises under the sun with a book, we have spoken to her mom about this. Please note; We are not currently admitting students,” the school wrote.

“Even if we were, definitely not ones under 3. Yesterday Amatala showed up to her usual spot, only this time, she was dressed in her brothers school shirt and sports short with an oversized shoe while it was the most hilarious sight.

“We saw a determination! We saw a child with a strong desire to learn. Mrs A took one look at this beautiful human and couldn’t resist. our baby girl is resuming school today.”

Meet the tenacious little Amatala Musa! Amatala is not our student, her siblings are but every now and again we would notice her hang around school premises under the sun with a book, we have spoken to her mom about this. Please note; We are not currently admitting students. pic.twitter.com/7eeMiLF5SL

— nfischool (@nfischool) March 26, 2021

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We saw a determination! We saw a child with a strong desire to learn.

Mrs A took one look at this beautiful human and couldn't resist. our baby girl is resuming school today.

— nfischool (@nfischool) March 26, 2021

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The thread has begun to melt the hearts of a number of Nigerians on Twitter with some well-meaning users indicating their interest to contribute their quota to Amatala’s education.

Some also volunteered to be teachers at the school for free.

Here’s what some Nigerians had to say:

https://twitter.com/arikeokinn/status/1375413694469959680?s=21

Please I can volunteer one day every week if you don’t mind
I’ve a B.Ed and M.Ed in Educational Psychology

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— Aunty Grace (@Gracymama1) March 26, 2021

https://twitter.com/surulerehub/status/1375486805928198148?s=21

This is the most heart warming tweet today! Congratulations little Amatala Musa. You sure will have a seamless educational pursuit. 🤗
👍 to @nfischool. You gave humanity a chance to bloom. https://t.co/wPMlusZ89m

— HRM 👑Lisa Gwamzhi🎓 (@gwamkat) March 26, 2021

I Had Something Heavy On Mind This Morning. But This Story You Shared Here Had Lifted That Burden Off My Chest. On Behalf Of My Wife & I, And To Celebrate My Friend @Excellclothing 2mr, I Have A Token Of 10k For Amatala Musa To Get Her The First Set Of Exercise Books & Other https://t.co/68hBgYzfXy

— Oseni Olanrewaju (@skinnie4life) March 26, 2021