10/10/2025
How Kuli Kuli Moved NNAFATIMA From Kpaki Village in Niger State Nigeria to Practicing Nursing In The UK.
In the quiet village of Kpaki, where the sun kisses the farmlands each morning and the scent of roasted groundnuts fills the air, a young girl named Nnafatima was born into a humble home. Her father, a hardworking farmer, tilled the soil from dawn till dusk, while her mother molded dreams from groundnuts — producing Kuli Kuli, the crunchy Nupe snack that kept the family afloat.
Life wasn’t easy. Feeding six children, sending them to school, and keeping the home together was a daily struggle. Yet, one thing remained constant in their home — hope.
Her parents often said, “Education is our only inheritance.” And they meant it.
Despite their modest means, Nnafatima and two of her siblings attended Kpaki Secondary School, walking miles each day with determination shining in their eyes. She was that student who paid attention in class, cracked light-hearted jokes to lift others, and still helped her mother sell Kuli Kuli on Mokwa and Kudu market days.
But destiny has its way of rewarding diligence.
One day, a young woman named Augusta, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member from Cross River State, was posted to Kpaki Secondary School. She was assigned to teach Biology in SS2 — Nnafatima’s class. What started as a teacher–student connection soon blossomed into a beautiful friendship rooted in mutual respect.
Augusta was drawn to Nnafatima’s brilliance and sense of responsibility. After classes, Nnafatima would often help her with household chores — except on market days, when she joined her mother at the stall. Intrigued, Augusta followed her one day and discovered something she had never seen before — Kuli Kuli, the legendary Nupe snack.
The first bite changed everything.
Augusta fell in love with the taste and began buying in bulk to send home to her family in Cross River. Soon, her neighbors, friends, and colleagues were asking for more. Before long, Nnafatima’s family could barely keep up with the growing demand. Their Kuli Kuli had found new markets hundreds of kilometers away — thanks to one teacher who believed in a student’s family craft.
When Augusta completed her service, she didn’t cut ties. Instead, she became a business partner, helping Nnafatima’s mother sell Kuli Kuli to southern buyers. This new source of income became a turning point. With the steady profit, Nnafatima was able to enroll in the School of Nursing, Bida — her dream come true.
IF YOU ARE GETTING VALUE FROM THIS , KINDLY CLICK ON THE FOLLOW BUTTON TO HELP THE COMMUNITY TO GROW. 🙏
At just 20 years old, she graduated as a Registered Nurse and got employed immediately by the Niger State Government — earning even more than many senior teachers in her area. Yet, despite her stable job, Nnafatima didn’t abandon the family trade. Instead, she invested in better equipment to modernize the Kuli Kuli production for her mother.
Meanwhile, Augusta relocated to the UK for further studies, leaving her sister in charge of the Nigerian end of the business. But their partnership only grew stronger. Thirteen months later, Augusta reached out from the UK — she had found a market there! Africans abroad were craving the taste of home, and she wanted Nnafatima to supply larger quantities.
Their first shipment sold out in weeks. The profits were overwhelming — Nnafatima earned over ₦2 million in less than a year from her share alone.
Then came the life-changing call: Augusta wanted her to join her in the UK. Within ten months, her travel documents were ready. Together, they established a small Kuli Kuli processing company, blending tradition with modern packaging for the international market.
Today, Nurse Nnafatima works in a UK hospital while also co-owning a thriving business. The humble village girl whose mother once hawked Kuli Kuli now exports it globally. She sends money home regularly, supports her siblings’ education, and has become a shining example of how far consistency, humility, and partnership can take a person.
Augusta and Nnafatima may not share blood or language, but they share something deeper — sisterhood built on kindness and purpose.
Moral Lessons:
1. No dream is too small to grow big — even a snack like Kuli Kuli can build an empire.
2. Education and hard work open doors that talent alone cannot.
3. Never look down on your roots; your background may hold the seed of your breakthrough.
4. Good relationships are ladders — treat people right, for your destiny helper may come disguised as a teacher.
5. Consistency and character pay more than luck ever will.
