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.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Left: Shade Ajayi works in her shop. Right: Ajayi shops for thread at a store.
As a child, she worked in her aunt's shop instead of attending school. She now runs her own business making and selling purses and bags, but believes her inability to read or write is holding her back.
Ajayi signed up to attend school in the last academic year, only for it to close due to the coronavirus pandemic. But schools reopened in January and Ajayi finally got her chance.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi stands up during class at Ilorin Grammar School.
Sitting at a wooden desk, surrounded by pupils aged 11 to 13, she politely raises her hand to answer questions.
Ajayi's teacher, Nasrat Busari, said the mature student appeared completely undeterred by the age gap.
"She has been coping well with them: playing together, talking together and discussing things together," he said.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi shows old photographs of herself to Shola Adeboye.
It has been hard to juggle school and work, and deal with the stigma. Her daughter, Shola Adeboye, said she was initially embarrassed that her mother attended school alongside children, but later came around.
"She has always wanted to be educated but she couldn't," Adeboye said sympathetically.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi poses for a portrait in her shop.
Ajayi still makes bags and purses after finishing classes at 4pm, and an apprentice serves her customers during school hours.
She intends to continue her education for four more years, saying it will help her business.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi chats to some of her classmates after class.
Story
"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."
PHOTO EDITING GABRIELLE FONSECA JOHNSON; WRITING ALEXIS AKWAGYIRAM; TEXT EDITING LIBBY GEORGE; LAYOUT JULIA DALRYMPLE
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Slideshow
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Houses stand in Shade Ajayi's neighbourhood in Ilorin.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi walks through her neighbourhood as she makes her way to school.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi changes into her school uniform before attending class.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi reads a text book as she sits in the library.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
A teacher writes on a chalk board during class.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi takes notes during class.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi raises her hand to answer a question during class.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Quareebullahi Ajenifuja, 12, and Joy Adeniji, 12, take notes together during class.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi looks at her classmates as they play outside.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Adeniji plays a game with her classmates after school.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi prepares to cook lunch at home.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi helps her six-year-old granddaughter Deborah Adeboye with her homework.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi helps Deborah with her homework.
. Ilorin, Nigeria. Reuters/Temilade Adelaja
Ajayi sits with her landlord Mogaji, outside her home.