Backfire/Gone-wrong Stories & Experiences

Today started like any other day. I left my house, excited about a business deal I had been preparing for. My shop was waiting for me, and I was eager to get to work.

On my way, my client called. “I’m on my way,” I told him. I was looking forward to meeting him because this deal could really help my business. We met at the site and we talked about our ideas. The conversation went well, and by the end, I felt good about what we had planned. My client seemed happy too.

But as I got ready to leave, I suddenly realized I couldn’t find my shop key. I checked my pockets and my bag, but it was nowhere to be found. I had always been careful with that key, so I was really surprised and worried.

For about half an hour, I searched everywhere. I retraced my steps, looking on the floor and around the site. I felt frustrated and a bit defeated. What was I going to do if I couldn’t get into my shop?

Finally, I decided to head to my shop, feeling down. When I got there, I noticed something strange. The padlock was locked, but the key was still in it! I had locked the padlock without taking the key out. It was such a simple mistake, but it had caused me so much stress.

I felt a wave of relief wash over me, and I couldn’t help but laugh at how silly I had been. What I thought was a disaster turned out to be a small mistake. I unlocked the door, stepped inside my shop, and felt grateful for the day. Sometimes, unexpected things happen, and they can teach us valuable lessons.

I went to the market today with my friends to retrieve my phone. This phone was particularly important to me because I had saved up five crucial emails on it, which I submitted for an online work application. I even drafted an email to resume work before the phone began to malfunction unexpectedly, getting stuck on the Samsung Galaxy interface and not progressing past that point. No matter what I tried, it just wouldn’t boot up properly.

My friends were incredibly supportive during this ordeal. They encouraged me to keep seeking help, taking me to various experts in the market in hopes that we could find a solution to the problem. Despite their efforts, as the day went on, I began to feel more and more disheartened.

In the end, after numerous attempts and consultations, we came to the last resort: claiming the phone, but I felt very bad because I didn’t succeed in preserving my important emails. I had started the day in a cheerful mood, but by the end, I was left feeling defeated, knowing that I had lost something so significant.

I was tasked by our lab coordinator to arrange the submission of our lab manuals this morning. We had a class of about 150 students, and I knew it was going to be a bit stressful. However, I never anticipated just how compounded the situation would become. That day, I truly realized how much class representatives and course representatives sacrifice in terms of their time and effort. They go above and beyond to address everyone’s concerns and do their best to satisfy the needs of their peers. It’s not easy to be a good course representative; it takes a lot of dedication.

On this particular morning, it was just me responsible for organizing the submission of the lab manuals. It wasn't as if I was taking on the role of class representative for the entire day, I simply needed to oversee the submission process.

First, I had set the submission time, which was supposed to start from 9 AM in the morning and end by 12 PM. I actually thought I was going to be very strict about the time, but when I reached school, people started tripping, and well, people called me on the phone. My phone was actually trembling with calls and messages. As time passed, 12 PM came and went, and I kind of extended the time to 1:30 PM, which also passed. After all the chaos and drama, I finally left the deadline at 3 PM, cancelling all my plans for the day. It actually took my whole day to get out of this mess.

A few weeks ago, someone called me about a piece of land for sale. The deal sounded great, and when I asked where it was, I was surprised to hear it was near my village. The idea of owning land close to home seemed perfect, so I decided to check it out for myself.

About a week later, I met up with the agent to survey the land. He assured me that all the documents were ready and said once I paid, everything would be handed over, and I’d legally own the land. At the time, everything seemed legit. I didn’t question it too much and told him I’d get back to him in a week.

A few days later, I was out with my brother and casually mentioned my plan to buy the land. Curious, he asked for the location. When we went there together, he recognized the place immediately. He told me the land belonged to an elderly man who hadn’t said anything about selling it.

It was a shocking realization. I couldn’t believe someone would go so far to take advantage of my lack of knowledge. If my brother hadn’t stepped in, I might have lost my money on a piece of land that wasn’t even for sale.
That experience taught me a hard lesson: always double-check and never take things at face value, especially when it comes to property. Scammers are out there, and they’re ready to exploit anyone who doesn’t know better.

I was with my friend Kachi when we stopped by a nearby provision store to get some biscuits. Although I had already eaten some biscuits, the moment she mentioned that she wanted to get one, I decided to grab an extra for myself. We both chose a particular chocolate biscuit, and right there in the shop, I opened the packaging and took a bite.

As soon as I tasted how good, sweet, and delicious this chocolate biscuit was, I made up my mind to buy another one. So, I picked up a pack that cost 1,000 Naira, bagged it, and was ready to head home. Although the biscuits were really tempting, I wasn’t planning to finish them all in one day. I thought to myself that I would save some for another day, enjoying them little by little.

Before I knew it, the biscuits were all gone, and I realized that I had consumed the #1000 biscuit, which probably wasn’t the best choice for my health. It was chocolate, and it had a high sugar content. That particular evening, I started experiencing a stomach ache, just like my friend, who had joined me to finish her stew. We both began to complain about our discomfort, and when the pain intensified, we rushed to a nearby pharmacy to get some medicine.

At the pharmacy, they prescribed us a digestive aid, which we purchased. It was an affordable remedy, and thankfully, it helped speed up the digestion process and ease our stomach aches. Now, I realize that while chocolate isn't the healthiest option, it can still be enjoyable but in small quantity.

After a long day at clinical practice, I was ready to head home and relax. There’s a particular road I love taking because it’s faster and familiar. Just as we closed for the day, my phone rang. Someone warned me that masquerades were parading that road. Knowing how tricky these situations can get, I quickly told the bike man to avoid that route so we wouldn’t run into trouble.

We thought we were smart by taking another road, but fate had other plans. We didn’t know some masquerades had also taken over this route. By the time we realized it, we were already right in the middle of them. The bike man tried to speed past, hoping we could dodge them, but luck wasn’t on our side. Out of nowhere, I felt a sharp sting on my back — one of them had whipped me with a long cane. It all happened so fast.

The pain wasn’t just physical. I was tired, frustrated, and annoyed that after a stressful day, this was how it ended. When I finally got home, I didn’t even want to think about it. I just went straight to bed, hoping that sleep would wash away the whole experience. Sometimes, closing your eyes is the best escape.

Next thing I knew, I was waking up around 12:30 in the middle of the night. My mind was clearer, but the sting from the whip was still there, like a reminder of how rough the day had been. Instead of lying there thinking about it, I decided to share the story here. Writing it out somehow felt like lifting a weight off my shoulders.

Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected challenges at you. You dodge one trouble, and sometimes you run straight into another. But what can we do? We move, we learn, and we keep going.

It was supposed to be a smooth day after preparing for a particular exam. I had dedicated about two weeks to studying for this exam. However, leading up to it, we faced some ups and downs, including a supervisor who hadn't properly arranged the exam settings.

Finally, we entered the exam hall, hoping that the delays were the worst part of the experience. But then we faced the reality of the questions. We were terrified, staring at questions that seemed completely unrelated to what we had diligently prepared for.

As we exited the classroom, the atmosphere was heavy with disappointment. Everyone wore either a sad expression or had tears in their eyes. Despite it all, I tried to remain optimistic. When I got home, I took a good dose of sleep, hoping to recharge when I woke and I did.

After my needed sleep, I woke up feeling a little more refreshed, but the weight of the exam lingered in my mind. I decided to call my friend Angie, who had been preparing for the exam alongside me. I needed to hear how she had fared.

When he answered, I could hear the frustration in his voice. "I don't think I've ever felt so unprepared in my life! Those questions were completely off all we read bro", he said.

Maybe I got hungry a little too early that morning, but it was one Saturday I will never forget. I had been trying to read for about half an hour, but my stomach had other plans. It was impossible to concentrate with the hunger gnawing at me. The decision was clear, no food, no reading. So, I decided to walk about 10 minutes to get a plate of beans.

When I arrived, I was relieved to see the place open. It was a popular spot, and people were already lined up, each with their own craving to satisfy. I joined the queue and waited patiently for about 20 minutes, my stomach rumbling in protest. Finally, it was my turn. I paid, got my plate of beans packed in a nylon bag, and turned to leave, already imagining the satisfaction of that first bite.

But life had other ideas. As I took my first few steps, I felt a shift in my hands. Before I could react, the nylon tore. In slow motion, I watched as my food crashed to the ground, beans splattering everywhere. My heart sank. The smell of freshly cooked beans surrounded me, but I was left empty-handed.

I stood there for a moment, crushed, feeling the weight of disappointment. I looked up at the seller, half-expecting her to be angry or dismissive. Instead, though she wasn’t exactly happy, she sighed and gave a small nod of understanding. These kinds of things can happen to anyone. She handed me another plate, and though it wasn’t free, her understanding was everything.

This time, I held onto that nylon like my life depended on it.

It was around 7 a.m in the morning, that time when sleep feels the most enjoyable. Sleeping at that hour we all know is often regarded as the best chance to steal a special kind of rest before the day’s activities begin. As I was still lost in my slumber, the peace was disturbed by the sounds of shouting and a woman’s voice, raised in argument shouts directed at a man.

I jejely went outside to discover what was happening and to my dismay, I realized it was a neighbor that had engaged in a heated disagreement. The woman was be shouting at the man loudly, her approach spoke only rudeness and disrespect, not minding that the man was clearly her senior in age.

Feeling responsible, I stepped in, hoping to settle the situation but my attempt to mediate did not go as planned. I found myself caught into the mess of their argument, and soon enough, the woman turned her rage on me as well, unleashing a few lines of curses that echoed down the street.

As the raging lady exchanged words with the adult male Nebo, I tried to advise her to calm down, explaining that it wasn't necessary to threaten a guy who was obviously older than her. I expressed that sometimes, words could push people to do things that others can't imagine. But this lady wouldn't listen. She continued to berate the man and abuse him.

What had sparked the whole scenario and argument was that Nebo had stepped on the veranda that the woman had just cleaned. This infuriated her, leading her to act aggressively. I then tried to calm the situation, but I received my share of the attacks as well.

I stood aside watching, and as the man couldn't bear it any longer, he rushed at the woman and with his foot, swept her up in the air and allowed her to fall helplessly.

I had replied to a WhatsApp status of my very good friend the night before I slept off. Waking up the following morning, I saw an urgent message. It was like she was in an emergency and needed a way out. She had pleaded that I send her 15,000 Naira, and I wondered what condition must have prompted her to request money that way.

I immediately decided to help my good friend, so I transferred a sum of 10,000 Naira. She was very appreciative about it, and then she wrote another very good and alluring write-up, claiming that she would refund back soonest and that she wouldn't have asked me for the money if it wasn't urgent, and that I should send her an extra 5,000 Naira.

I was yet to process the second transaction when a call came, letting me know that I had been in contact with a scammer and not with my friend Chik's. "Chik's Whatsapp account was hacked at night", the voice said
Feeling utterly defeated, I spent the day replaying the events in my mind. How could I have been so trusting? I thought about all the times my friend had been there for me, and now I was left feeling betrayed by a faceless scammer. I struggled through my daily activities, my thoughts clouded by frustration and regret. I reached out to my actual friend, hoping to confirm the situation and perhaps find some solace. When she replied, confirming that her account had indeed been hacked, I felt a mix of relief and anger.

It wasn't her fault, but I felt like a victim of my own good intentions. I decided to take action reporting the incident to WhatsApp and warning others in my circle about the danger of allowing themselves get deceived like I was.

was going through my bag that contained most of my clothes, and then I found this belt. It had been a long time since I had this belt. I had tied it up as a treasure and kept it at the bottom of my bag, but today I decided to put it on. We were supposed to have a presentation class, and I thought looking good for the presentation wasn't going to be a bad idea.

I put on the belt, but then I noticed that it was kind of hanging on my waist. I didn't know why. I touched it and wondered if it was just a little loose. So instead of opening an extra hole in the belt, I thought it would be better to just leave it that way and let it be. But then, just right during the presentation, when it was my turn to come out, the belt fell!

It kind of aggravated the situation, and it made the audience laugh, but I didn’t actually mind it too much. I knew the worth of the belt and maintained my composure, smiling through it all. Well, many came to ask me about the belt and admired it, saying it looked beautiful, and I appreciated that. But still, that belt almost disgraced me.
But yet, it looked good on me and its colour matched my cooperate skirt.

was in an electronics shop today because I needed to replace my phone charger, which was damaged by high current. The shop was filled with customers and cost me to spend longer time. As I walked down the lined with various electronics, the owner of the shop called me over to help. After looking at a few options, I decided to buy a new charger.

I had heard funny stories about cheap chargers causing issues, so I opted for the higher-priced one. It was 5500 Naira, but they assured me it was worth the investment because it charged more efficiently and was designed to last. They also had a 3000 Naira option, but I wanted something reliable.
When i got back home, I plugged in the new charger to test it out and it was working fine, it charged my phone as fast as I had hoped too.

I left the phone to charge and went out, When I returned home later, I checked my phone and was happy to see it was already fully charged. I picked it up to use it for a bit but when the battery level dropped, I plugged it back in to charge, but when I picked up the phone from my bed, I noticed something troubling. The wire was shaky and didn't seem to fit the charging hole. It really offended me, something that I thought I had made a wise investment.

I shook the cord a bit, feeling frustrated that I had to deal with this already. As a last resort, I wrapped the cable around my phone and that was finally when it began charging again.

As a nursing student, I owned just three white nursing uniforms. This limited number often posed a dilemma for me. My main challenge was washing them and keeping them spotless. Sometimes, I felt like I was being lazy for not managing it better.

Today we had an exceptionally long class that stretched late into the evening, finishing around 9 p.m. When I finally got home, the first thing I had to do was wash my worn uniform and hang it out to dry. Thankfully, it is harmattan which makes the process a bit easier.

During the rainy season, I often faced difficulties trying to dry my uniforms, adding to my stress. The core of my problem was that I needed to wash my white uniforms every single day after I wore them. If I let them pile up, the stains would become a real challenge to remove. So, every day after lectures, I made it a routine to wash my uniforms as soon as I returned home.

On a certain occasion, after one long night shift, I returned home very late. Exhausted and with my muscles aching, I simply didn’t have the energy to wash my clothes. Reluctantly, I left my uniform until the following morning. When I got up, I soaked and washed the dress, only to realize that a particularly stubborn stain had become permanent.

Moving from the lab to the wards and clinical centers often involved exposure to various chemicals and drugs, and sometimes, when an item gets stained, it doesn’t just wash off immediately unless you tackle it right after getting home. Unfortunately, this time around, I had to face the consequence.

Most nights when I come home late, I like to stop at my favorite spot to buy some fruits, and sometimes, akamu. It’s become a small tradition that helps me unwind after a long day. Tonight was no different except I didn’t have enough cash on me. After bargaining for the fruits I wanted, I walked over to a nearby POS vendor to withdraw money.

While I was at the POS stand, struggling with the usual poor bank network, I heard a loud crash. Turning around, I saw that a reckless tricycle driver had crashed right into the fruit shop. The worst part? He didn’t even stop to apologize or help. He sped off like nothing happened. Fruits, my package, and the shop owner’s goods were scattered across the road.

It was heartbreaking to see. People who witnessed the scene immediately jumped in to help her pick up whatever they could. The fruit seller looked overwhelmed, almost defeated. I couldn’t help but think how unfair life can be, especially in these hard times when every kobo matters. Watching her losses spread across the road felt like watching a piece of her hard work crumble.

I felt so bad for her. All I could do was add a little extra money to what I owed, hoping it would help soften the blow, even if just a bit. She managed a tired smile as she thanked me, but I could tell she was still broken.

The bike I was on approached a large water tanker. This tanker is one of those big vehicles that delivers water to people who order it. As we got closer, I noticed that the driver had left the engine open, causing water to spill out all over the main road. The water was splashing everywhere, making it hard to navigate.

I couldn’t help but wonder why someone would let water leak like that, especially when it could be used more wisely. In our state, water is a valuable resource, and here was this man wasting it. Instead of allowing it to pour out on the road, he could have shared it with those in need, especially since many people struggle to access clean water.

As the water splashed onto my clothes and the bike tires rolled through the puddles, I felt frustrated. It’s upsetting to think that someone paid for that water, and it’s just being wasted instead of being given to those who truly need it.

When the bike that I was on finally overtook the big tanker, I made sure I let out my anger as I shouted and gestured at the driver.
I knew he couldn't make out meaning from all I was saying, but his face showed signs of concern.
He honked at us as we disappeared father away, but that left no effect.

I went to a cafeteria to buy some fries, my favorite snack. I was really excited to finally get to the front of the line, but then I opened my Wema bank app to make a transfer and it kept saying "error in transaction." I felt so frustrated!

While I stood there, I could see all kinds of delicious fries being served. The smell made my mouth water, but I couldn't buy any because my bank was giving me trouble. I had to step aside from the queue, while others continued to get their food.

I waited for about 10 minutes, hoping my bank would start working again. Finally, I was able to make the transfer! But when I tried to go back to the queue, I realized I couldn't just jump in. I had to wait until someone let me back in.

It was a little annoying, but in the end, I got my fries and It was worth the wait, and I learned to always check if my bank is working before I go out.

After that event, I hardly stand or wait to purchase anything outside without first testing if my bank is working fine

I saw a picture of two pairs of shoes that looked really cool. They caught my eye right away! I was so curious that I decided to investigate them further. I looked up information online to see if they were good quality. I found out that many people said they loved the shoes and that they were really good.

So, I decided to buy them! I found out that they cost a bit more than if I went to the store, but I was excited. When the shoes arrived, I was really happy with how they looked. I checked them carefully, and the quality seemed good.

But when I wore the shoes for the first time, something strange happened. With each step I took, I noticed that the bottom, or sole, of the shoe started to break. It felt like the sole was wearing out very quickly, and I was disappointed.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I discovered that the sole of the shoe was wearing out. So I took it to a shoe man to examine what exactly was the cause of the problem, whether it's just the nature of the shoe or just the way it's supposed to be. So he confirmed that the heel was expired and I would need to change it into a new one. Remember, this is a foreign product, you know how costly buying their parts were.

When I stayed at my friend’s family house for two weeks to handle a small business, I noticed something odd in their compound: their chickens were infested with lice. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but within a few days, I realized how serious it was. The lice would crawl through the feathers of the chickens and sometimes end up on people's clothes or bodies. It was so irritating to see, and I began to worry they might get into my hair.

Surprisingly, even though I spent so much time there, I never got infested. I was careful not to touch the chickens or sit too close to them, but the fear of waking up with itchy hair still haunted me daily. My friend’s family joked that maybe I had "special immunity," but honestly, I think it was pure grace or maybe their constant cleaning helped a bit.

The family later decided the best solution was to get rid of the chickens entirely. They explained that lice infestations are common for people who rear chickens, especially if the birds are free-range and mix with others from less hygienic environments. It wasn’t an easy decision for them because the chickens were a source of income, but the infestation was becoming unbearable.

By the time I left, the chickens were gone, and the family started working on thoroughly cleaning the area to ensure the lice didn’t spread further.

It never crossed my mind that I would have issues with my neighbors, but today changed all that. The workers from the electric distribution company arrived to disconnect our power. Despite our notifications to settle the bill a week ago, some of us had managed to make payments, while others came up with various excuses and were let off the hook.

In response, we had to adopt stricter measures to ensure everyone contributed their share. Still, only 6% of residents managed to pay the NEPA bill, and the remaining 40% were unwilling to cooperate. Once they cut our electricity, I felt a wave of frustration wash over me. I had stretched my budget to scrape together 3,000 Naira, choosing to set aside a loan just to cover that amount. And now, I found myself facing the harsh reality that because of the stubbornness of others, I would be left in darkness tonight as I write this.

After we disconnected our wire from the main power source, we quickly called a meeting. Every roommate and occupant of the lodge was expected to show up. That’s when I let loose the anger that had been boiling inside me. I had to confront most of my friends who hadn't paid on time. I spoke to them honestly, without partiality or sentiment, allowing my emotions to take the lead. In hindsight, I regretted my approach, but in that moment, my frustration got the better of me.

Surprisingly, my outburst had an effect; some of those friends finally agreed to contribute towards the bill. Now, we’re all waiting until next Tuesday to make the payment. It feels like an eternity to me.

After I read Betty's story yesterday, it made me want to read too. I thought about reading for a long time, maybe even for straught 4 hours as 7 hours felt really tiring. So, I decided to read for just a little while instead.

This morning after church service, I went to school buying some snacks to eat while I read. I also took my special water bottle because it helps me feel fancy and solves my thirst problems.

I picked a classroom that I thought would help me read better. At first, I was confident and thought I could concentrate really well because the classroom was empty and peaceful. But then, three boys walked into the room, and I got scared. They sat just behind my desk making me feel nervous and not able focus on my book at all.

I tried really hard to read, but I just couldn't. I kept thinking about the boys and what they were doing. It was hard to forget about them. I wanted to read and enjoy my book, but my worries kept getting in the way.

When I knew that it would be a further waste of time trying.
I gathered my books and other belongings and went to another class which had a mix of students also studying there.

We have been getting ready for a special sports week at school. Every department was going to play matches against each other and I’ve been training very hard and haven't missed a single practice. I was excited for our first match up with other departments.

When the match started, I was sitting on the bench. I thought I would get to play, but they didn’t let me. Even though I know I’m a good player and can play better than some of the guys on the field, they kept me waiting on the bench.

The game ended with both teams scoring 1 goal each, so we decided to pause the match for the day and fix another daye for a rematch.
The next day, we were told to come for practice again. I was called to the football field with the ball, but then I felt like I disappeared. It was like I was a ghost for the whole day. They all called and called but iyaaa, if I no frustrate them no be me.