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The pain of being a first born In a struggling Nigerian family

Benita Ukamaka · 2025-07-12T04:59:28.569073+01:00

Nobody warns you that being the firstborn in a poor Nigerian home means you’ll become a parent before you’re ready. You sacrifice your dreams. You watch your younger ones eat while you pretend you're not hungry. You become the emotional pillar when you’re breaking inside. When…

Entertainment 9 hrs ago

Benita Ukamaka
9 hrs ago

Nobody warns you that being the firstborn in a poor Nigerian home means you’ll become a parent before you’re ready.

You sacrifice your dreams.

You watch your younger ones eat while you pretend you're not hungry.

You become the emotional pillar when you’re breaking inside.

When my father died, I became “daddy” overnight. I wasn’t even 23. My mum became sick, and I had to work jobs I hated just to feed us. My younger ones don’t know the weight I carry. I pray they never have to.

Firstborns like me don’t cry loudly. We cry inside.

We smile outside while dying inside.

If you’re a firstborn like me, I see you. I feel your pain.

Let’s talk. What have you sacrificed for your family?

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