By Munyal Manunyi
A 13-year-old girl, Nana Khadijat, from Birnin Kebbi, has sparked widespread reactions online after choosing a goat as her birthday gift, instead of a traditional celebration with cake and festivities.
Khadijat, a junior secondary school student at Deenway Islamic School in Birnin Kebbi, marked her birthday on Thursday. Her uncle, Abubakar Shehu Maigunya, shared photos of her on Facebook alongside the goat she received as a gift, drawing significant attention and admiration from social media users.
Many commenters praised her unusual choice, describing it as a sign of maturity and entrepreneurial thinking. Saleh Chika Gaya noted that she is the kind of child who deserves support and guidance for future success.
Abdulrahaman Zakari simply wrote, “Invest, my sister,” while Attahiru Yahaya Idris predicted she would become a successful businesswoman.
Meanwhile: Fakuta Benham Afeti wrote: “Entrepreneur spirit at work,” while Ngati Godwin said: “Very smart young girl.
May God fulfill her dreams and guide her in life.”
Ma no also commented with: “Smart girl.”
Speaking in Hausa to African Culture TV, Khadijat explained the reasoning behind her decision.
“I chose a goat because I want it to multiply and be a blessing to me,
“It will be a remarkable thing for me and people around me. It’s something to always remember. But cake and other stuff are things I can consume in a day and they’re finished.”
She added that her long-term goal is to build a herd. According to her, she hopes the goat will reproduce and eventually enable her to expand into cattle rearing, creating a sustainable source of income.
Khadijat is the second of three children born to Mr Bilyaminu Shehu Maigunya, a staff of the National Bureau of Statistics headquarters in Abuja, working in the ICT department.
Her father expressed pride in her decision, noting that her entrepreneurial mindset did not come as a surprise.
“She always knows what she wants. She consistently shows an entrepreneurial mindset in conversations and often talks about becoming self-sufficient, especially through what she learns in school, where they offer entrepreneurship as a subject.”
He also revealed that although he is not particularly fond of birthday celebrations, his daughter had long expressed her preference for a goat over a party. He admitted that he initially overlooked her request despite repeated reminders.
Recounting a past incident, he said he once returned home to find Khadijat in tears after a goat previously given to her by her aunt had died. At the time, he dismissed it as a child’s tantrum. However, during her younger sister’s birthday celebration in May 2025, he revisited the issue and asked what she wanted for her own birthday.
“She told me she doesn’t like birthday celebrations and considers them pointless. To her, birthdays are reminders that life is finite and that one day she will die, though she does not know when. I was surprised and asked what she wanted instead. She said she wanted a goat.”
According to him, Khadijat believes livestock rearing is a viable source of income. He recalled being particularly impressed when she explained how breeding the goat could double or even triple its number within a short period.
Following months of reminders from his daughter, Mr. Bilyaminu fulfilled his promise by providing funds for the purchase of the goat at Kalgo local market, close to where Khadijat celebrated her birthday.
Her story has since resonated widely, with many seeing it as a reflection of foresight, discipline, and entr
epreneurial ambition at a young age.
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