Elderly Nigerian Climbs Palm Trees for 32 Years, Makes More Than Most People Daily
- The elderly man has been climbing palm trees for 32 years, turning a traditional, physically demanding job into a reliable source of daily income that surpasses many modern professions
- He learned the trade from a late friend after leaving his former job as a driver, using the skills and techniques passed down to build his career
- Despite facing dangers like snakes, bees, and harsh weather, Akibu has never fallen, crediting his skill, careful approach, and years of experience for his continued success
An elderly Nigerian man who has been climbing palm trees for about 32 years has revealed the total amount he made in a day after claiming 23 trees.
This was contained in a detailed video shared on TikTok, where the man was interviewed about his occupation and how he earns a living through palm tree climbing.
Source: TikTok
He revealed that he was formerly a driver but got tired of working for others. Out of frustration, he turned to a friend (now late) who taught him the necessary skills that set him on a new path.
The video, posted by a media user identified as filayoruba, shows the man responding to questions about his work and explaining how he makes his daily income.
I was formerly a driver
The man, who identified himself as Akibu, spoke in his native Yoruba language. His words were later translated into English by Legit.ng.
He said:
"My name is Akibu, I’m from Ibadan. I've been climbing palm trees for about 32 years. I was formerly a driver, and when I didn’t want to be someone else’s driver, I decided to be a tree climber."
How I learned the work
Akibu explained that he learned the job from a late friend who was also a tree climber.
He said:
"It was sufferness that brought me here. When I was a driver, I couldn't afford money for my own car, children would ask for money and I'd give, and I decided to learn this job from a friend. That's how I became a climber of palm trees. It was my friend that taught me, but he is no longer alive."
I climb a lot of trees daily
He spoke at length about the amount of work he does and the earnings he makes, which he says surpass what many earn in other jobs.
The man said:
"Sometimes, the body doesn't want to work, but on some days when the body wants to work, like today, I have climbed 23. There's no job that is without a hard part, sometimes we see snakes, bees while on the work of palm tree climbing."
Akibu revealed that his work comes with dangers and pains, but he has always managed to navigate them safely.
"We'll confront it, whoever can kill each other will, but it's more preferable for me to kill it than for it to harm me."
The tools I use at work
He gave a detailed description of the tools he uses, including an axe, a cutlass, and other climbing tools.
"They are of two types, the one below is 'Ekere', it also has two types. The one above is 'Orin'. There's another called 'Efun' and we use it for climbing, also an 'Apaka' which is used to rest the back and it is faster than the one I’m using, but the problem is that people fall off it. But this one doesn't make one fall. If it was 'Apaka', I would have gotten to the top, but this one brings safety than the other."
Source: TikTok
He proudly revealed that he has never experienced a serious hazard or fallen off a tree in his years of work.
"No, I've never fallen off the tree, no. No, because I haven't slept with someone else's wife. No, it's not only palm trees but those who do bad will receive bad. But whenever I want to go to farm, I pray to God to not go to anyone that would make me return home."
Akibu also shared that he doesn’t work every day, as he sometimes listens to his body and takes breaks when needed.
"Yes, days like that are many. I might have even sharpened my axe and feel like not working anymore and turn down the job for the day. It's a gift, I inherited it from my mother. Even while I was a driver, there are days I don't feel like working and drop the keys. It happens in all jobs including carpentry and mechanics."
Source: TikTok
He spoke more about his tools:
"This cutlass, we take it to the farm if there's thick bushes on the road. The other is what we use to file the axe, and that's the oil for it, but we can use anything, even petrol. Some people use kerosene and red oil, but I use diesel. The thing is, for sharpening of the axe alone, some people use stone to sharpen it, but this makes it sharper. This is the trouser I use in tree climbing."
What motivates me to do the job
Akibu explained that what drives him is the ability to earn enough money quickly to live comfortably and meet his needs.
"What makes me proud is many, not to brag. If I have a party coming, if I go to work tomorrow, I'll see enough money to spend at the party. Even if there's a party tomorrow, before the end of today, I'll already make enough money to spend there. There's money in it, I've made #14,500 today, I still have it in my pocket. The pains I passed through, they can't. I've been bitten by a lot of things today, those in the office use pen to write, and in the office, but me, rain and sun meet me on the job."
Legit.ng sighted some reactions to the story.
Ademiraltips Construction Nig noted:
"My question is, do we have young people learning this because most children of these days don't want to work like our fathers, and which is profitable."
MT weite:
"I like opaka pass this one. I have used opaka well when I Dey village. Una no do opaka well na why Una Dey think person go fall.."
Popo expressed:
"My Akope made 50k yesterday he wanted to collect 70k I begged him to 50k just for two days."
real_ade clothings1:
"Omoh I nearly learn this work then ooo .May God be with us all :palms_up_together:."
ENI_FEM states:
"I dnt know why I just love this man vibes and the way is very proud of his job. more good health babba."
YobamiSam commented:
"Baba..May God bless your handwork. whatever works we're doing..as long as we're seeing the blessing... We'll continue."
UNILORIN student who did menial jobs graduates
In a similar story reported by Legit.ng, a Nigerian lady, a student of UNILORIN who also did menial jobs for a living, bagged a university degree and shared her achievement on social media.
She posted on X to inspire many, discussing the jobs she held while still an undergraduate at the prestigious university
The story generated significant online attention, and hundreds of social media users responded to it.
Source: Legit.ng
