It's never too late to learn says 50-year-old Nigerian school pupil
Shade Ajayi had never set foot in a classroom until middle age. Now 50, the businesswoman is happily learning to read and write alongside students nearly four decades younger than her.
Donning the pink dress and bonnet that make up her uniform, she joins hundreds of similarly dressed pupils at a school in Ilorin, in Nigeria's western Kwara state.
"I'm not ashamed that I wear a uniform," she said.
Left: Shade Ajayi works in her shop.
Right: Ajayi shops for thread at a store.
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"People around me can read and write and they are succeeding in their businesses," said Ajayi.
And of those who might ridicule her efforts, she said: "It's my duty not to pay attention to what they're saying."
Houses stand in Shade Ajayi's neighbourhood in Ilorin.
Ajayi walks through her neighbourhood as she makes her way to school.
Ajayi changes into her school uniform before attending class.
Ajayi reads a text book as she sits in the library.
A teacher writes on a chalk board during class.
Ajayi takes notes during class.
Ajayi raises her hand to answer a question during class.
Quareebullahi Ajenifuja, 12, and Joy Adeniji, 12, take notes together during class.
Ajayi looks at her classmates as they play outside.
Adeniji plays a game with her classmates after school.
Ajayi prepares to cook lunch at home.
Ajayi helps her six-year-old granddaughter Deborah Adeboye with her homework.
Ajayi helps Deborah with her homework.
Ajayi sits with her landlord Mogaji, outside her home.
