Return of Olajumoke the Breadseller and Azuka’s Big Heart

I have a habit of seeing editions of ‘The Honest Bunch Podcast’ by Glitch Africa Studios. That podcast consumes a large chunk of my data but I must say it’s worth it. Though there are areas of improvement on the part of the presenters but I dare say they are doing a great job.

So when I came across the story of Olajumoke the breadseller and how she disappeared from limelight, I told myself, life is rarely a straight road. For many, the path twists and turns, with moments of glory followed by seasons of struggle. Few Nigerian stories capture this truth as vividly as that of Olajumoke Orisaguna, the famous “Bread Seller turned Model”, and the quiet, very quiet and unassuming heroism of Azuka Ogujiuba, the woman who welcomed her back when the lights dimmed.

Olajumoke’s tale burst into national consciousness in 2016, when a chance photograph by TY Bello the famous ‘The Land is Green’ crooner catapulted a humble bread hawker from the streets of Lagos into the glamorous world of fashion. Her face appeared on magazine covers, endorsement deals rolled in, and she became the symbol of how destiny can change in an instant. Nigerians cheered. It was the fairy tale of the decade.

But fairy tales are fragile. The weight of sudden fame, coupled with inexperience, illiteracy, and poor counsel, made Olajumoke vulnerable.

In her meteoric rise, Olajumoke came across Mrs Azuka Ogujiuba who she described during the podcast as her angel who took her as a daughter, helped her secure modeling deals and never demanded for a dime of Olajumoke’s remunerations. In fact, Olajumoke said Azuka usually give out her (Olajumoke’s bank account details) to clients so they can pay directly into Olajumoke’s account and whenever she Olajumoke tries to give part of earnings to Azuka as a form of gratitude, Azuka turns it down.

It was so till Olajumoke crossed paths with people who exploited her innocence. Among them was Victoria Ekong, who Azuka innocently handed Olajumoke over to because she Azuka had to travel out of Nigeria for an engagement. That was the beginning of Olajumoke’s downfall.

According to Olajumoke, Victoria not only diverted her from those who genuinely had her best interests at heart but exploited and also refused to return the password to her Instagram account handed over to her by Azuka. Even more damaging, Olajumoke said Victoria went as far as deleting her pictures, forcing her to start afresh and rebuild her social media presence from scratch. Every effort made to help Olajumoke retrieve her Instagram account using the police were futile because Victoria must have greased the palms of the officers or knows someone who knows someone in the police hierarchy.

In an age where social media is not just a tool but the lifeline of a brand, this betrayal struck at the very heart of her new career. Her online visibility weakened, her followers scattered, and her once-promising endorsements began to dry up. The result was devastating: Olajumoke, who had once been Nigeria’s Cinderella, began to fade into the background of the very society that had once celebrated her.

The tragedy of it all lay in her lack of education. Without the literacy and digital skills to manage her own accounts, contracts, and image, she was at the mercy of others. Victoria’s alleged actions served as a harsh reminder that exploitation often preys on ignorance, and that education remains the most reliable safeguard for sustainable success.

During this period, Olajumoke also distanced herself from her initial manager and benefactor, Azuka Ogujiuba, who had laboured to guide her with patience and care. Like many dazzled by sudden fame, she ignored the counsel of those who genuinely wanted her to succeed. It seemed, for a time, that she had shut the door on Azuka permanently.

But life has a way of humbling us. As the endorsements dried up and the lights dimmed, reality set in. Olajumoke’s fairy tale had turned into a cautionary tale.

Yet, the most powerful part of her story is not her fall, but her return. When life brought her low, Olajumoke did something many would never dare—she swallowed her pride and returned to Azuka, the very woman she had once dismissed.

And Azuka, in an extraordinary display of grace, opened her arms. She did not mock. She did not condemn. She welcomed her “prodigal daughter” home, vowing to help her rebuild and climb once again toward the stardom that once seemed forever lost.

This act of forgiveness and renewal carries lessons for all of us.

1. The Selflessness of Forgiveness

In a society that often encourages revenge, Azuka’s choice to forgive stands out as countercultural. Many in her position would have said, “I told you so,” and turned away. But she chose love over bitterness, compassion over pride. Her decision reflects the timeless truth: forgiveness frees both the forgiver and the forgiven.

By welcoming Olajumoke back, Azuka reminded us that the door of second chances should never be shut. People make mistakes—sometimes terrible ones. But when we hold space for forgiveness, room for healing and transformation is created.

 2. The Importance of Education

School na scam is a common street parlance in Nigeria but Olajumoke’s struggles highlight a painful reality: without education, managing fame, finances, or even personal choices becomes a herculean task. Her inability to read or write limited her power to negotiate, understand contracts, and discern between genuine helpers and exploiters thus making her sign a self-destructive contract with Victoria for two years.

Her story is not unique. Across Nigeria, millions of young women face the same barrier—talent and potential trapped by the absence of education. This is why investing in education, especially for girls, remains one of the most urgent tasks for our generation. Fame can open doors, but education helps you walk confidently through them and build a future that lasts.

3. Second Chances Are a Human Right

We live in a world quick to cancel people. One mistake, one wrong step, and society slams the door. Yet life is a teacher, and its hardest lessons often come through failure. Olajumoke’s stumble into hardship could have ended her story. But thanks to Azuka, it became a new beginning.

Second chances are not just about celebrities; they are about us all. Each one of us has failed—at work, in relationships, in faith, or in personal discipline. What if no one ever gave us another shot? Where would we be? Olajumoke’s comeback is a reminder that redemption is not only possible—it is necessary for growth.

4. The Prodigal Daughter and the Mother’s Heart

There is something biblical about this story. In the parable of the Prodigal Son, a young man squandered his inheritance and returned home broken. His father, instead of shaming him, embraced him with joy. Similarly, Azuka saw not the mistakes of the past, but the potential for the future.

Her willingness to guide Olajumoke again is a lesson in maternal leadership. True leaders don’t give up on people. They don’t measure loyalty by past failures but by the possibility of transformation. Azuka’s example challenges us: when people who wronged us return, will we extend mercy or slam the door?

5. Building a Lasting Future

As Olajumoke embarks on this second journey, her story must not just be about beauty or chance fame. It must be about rebuilding with wisdom. Education—formal or vocational—must take center stage. Skills must be sharpened. Financial literacy must be learned. And her platform should be used to inspire other young women to believe that no matter where life begins, greatness is possible.

Most importantly, Nigerians must learn from her story: overnight success can be intoxicating, but without roots, it rarely lasts. Real growth is slow, intentional, and sustained by humility and learning.

The story of Olajumoke the Breadseller, Victoria the Misleader, and Azuka the Forgiver is not just celebrity gist—it is a mirror. It reflects the dangers of ignorance, the traps of sudden fame, the cruelty of exploitation, but also the power of forgiveness and the miracle of second chances.

Azuka’s selfless act reminds us that our greatest contribution may not be in what we achieve for ourselves, but in how we help others rise, fall, and rise again. Olajumoke’s resilience reminds us that no fall is final until we refuse to rise. And her renewed journey tells us that even when life seems to close every door, grace can open one more.

Mention must also be made of Adedoja Allen who Azuka took Olajumoke to for mentoring. With her position as MD of a radio station, she was able to train Olajumoke and help her create a radio show. Talk about genuine forgiveness and a rare opportunity to rise again.

For every reader struggling with regret, failure, or betrayal, Olajumoke’s second chance is your reminder: it is not too late to start again. And for every reader holding bitterness against someone who wronged you, Azuka’s story whispers: forgive. You may be saving not just their future, but your own peace of mind.

Life is not about how many times we fall, but how many times we rise—and how many people we help to rise with us.

Mrs Azuka Ogujiuba