By Rukayya Adamu Toro
On Sunday, August 18, 2024, I visited Wunti Market in Bauchi State to buy tiger nuts. I planned to make a snack called ‘aya mai sugar’ (sugar-coated tiger nuts) to sell. I had high hopes for this small business venture, thinking it would be a smooth process that would allow me to earn some small change while also enjoying the experience of making and selling something people would love. I purchased a mudu of tiger nuts for 1,200 naira, expecting everything to go well. However, what followed was both surprising and deeply concerning.
When I got home, I eagerly began the process of sorting through the tiger nuts, feeling a sense of anticipation as I imagined the final product. I spent an hour meticulously picking out the bad nuts, removing stones, and sifting through the dirt that had come with the purchase. As I worked, I noticed a strange smell coming from the nuts, a smell that reminded me of metal. It was odd, but I didn’t think much of it at the time. I assumed that once I washed the nuts, the smell would disappear, and everything would be fine.
However, after washing the nuts, I was shocked to find that the tiger nuts tasted like fuel. The strong, unpleasant taste was unmistakable, and it immediately set off alarm bells in my mind. This was not normal, and I couldn’t ignore it. Worried, I asked my mom to taste the nuts as well, hoping that maybe I was just imagining things. But she confirmed my worst fears—the tiger nuts indeed had a strong fuel-like taste. It was clear that something was very wrong with them.
In an attempt to salvage the situation, I decided to soak the nuts in salt water, hoping that it would remove the bad taste and smell. I thought maybe, just maybe, this would solve the problem, and I could still use the nuts as planned. But after soaking them, the taste and smell remained unchanged. The realization hit me hard: the tiger nuts were contaminated and not safe to eat.
This situation was more than just a minor inconvenience. I had planned to sell these sugar-coated tiger nuts, and the thought of selling something potentially harmful was terrifying. What if someone got seriously ill or worse because of what I sold? The responsibility weighed heavily on me, and I knew I couldn’t just let this go.
Determined to understand what had gone wrong, I decided to return to the market and speak to the shopkeeper. I hoped they could provide some answers or at least offer a solution. When I confronted the shopkeeper, I was surprised by their response. They admitted that they knew the tiger nuts were contaminated. They explained that the truck carrying the nuts had an accident, causing gas to leak and spoil the nuts. They even mentioned that another customer had returned her purchase for the same reason, and they had exchanged hers without any issue.
However, when I requested an exchange, I was met with resistance. Because I had soaked the nuts, they refused to exchange them right away. They only agreed to exchange them if I dried the nuts and brought them back the next day. This response was frustrating, but what they said next was even more concerning. The shopkeeper mentioned that they would mix the contaminated nuts with new ones before selling them again.
I was appalled by their lack of concern for customer safety. Selling contaminated tiger nuts that could harm people is not just dishonest—it’s dangerous. The fact that they admitted to knowingly selling bad nuts and even planned to continue doing so was shocking. Just because I only bought one mudu doesn’t mean I should stay silent. As someone who planned to sell these snacks, I couldn’t imagine risking people’s health like that.
At that moment, I wished I could sue them because of the attitude they showed. I was really on the verge of tears because of how angry I was. I couldn’t believe the level of dishonesty I had encountered. I thought that because the shopkeeper was an elder, he should at least be honest. But instead, they deceived me, selling me contaminated nuts without any warning. They should have told me before I made the purchase, but they didn’t. And now, I’m deeply worried about how they said they will mix the contaminated ones with the new ones when they make another purchase.
This experience has taught me the importance of being vigilant and speaking out when something isn’t right. We all need to ensure that dishonest sellers are held accountable so that everyone stays safe. It’s not just about me or my small business—it’s about the health and safety of anyone who might consume these products.
As I reflect on what happened, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of disappointment. I trusted the shopkeeper, believing that they would sell me a good product. But instead, they took advantage of my trust and sold me something dangerous. It’s hard to shake the feeling of betrayal, especially knowing that this could have had serious consequences if I hadn’t noticed the contamination in time.
I also can’t stop thinking about the other customers who might not be as vigilant. What if someone else bought those contaminated nuts and didn’t notice the smell or taste until it was too late? The thought of someone getting sick because of this negligence is horrifying. It’s clear that more needs to be done to hold sellers accountable and ensure that this kind of dishonesty doesn’t continue.
In the end, this experience has strengthened my resolve to be careful and to always prioritize safety, both for myself and for others. I’ll continue with my plan to make and sell *aya mai sugar*, but I’ll be much more cautious about where I source my ingredients. And I’ll always speak up when something isn’t right, because staying silent in the face of dishonesty only allows it to continue.
We all deserve to feel confident that the food we buy and consume is safe. It’s up to all of us to demand honesty and integrity from those we do business with. And it’s up to the sellers to uphold those standards, because the consequences of failing to do so can be far-reaching and devastating.
In the end, I’m grateful that I discovered the contamination before it was too late. But the experience has left me with a lasting reminder of the importance of vigilance and the dangers of dishonesty in the marketplace. We all need to stay alert, speak out, and hold those who engage in these practices accountable. Only then can we create a safer and more trustworthy environment for everyone.
Rukayya is a 200-level student at Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi State, Yuli Campus.
