Haruna is 29-year-old. Pint-size in frame and dressed in faded suit or jacket ‘Barrister’ Haruna is a common face in the Central Area of Abuja. He sells bitter kola and kola nuts to motorists in traffic. From the Traffic Light around Church Gate to the Ministry of Defence – Ship House axis, Haruna paces the pavements in unique steps smiling at motorists and pedestrians calling for their attention to patronize his wares. He carries a small tray pan arranged with kola nuts and bitter kola, and, daily, he canvasses for buyers. Those on these routes are familiar to him because of his unique looks as well as the approach he uses in calling out buyers. His capital outlay is probably not above 10, 000.00 naira (Ten thousand naira only). But then, Haruna does his trade with joy and style, not craving for quick rich or instant wealth that drives young people of his age into the fast lane.
He is noticeable also, in the bustling streets of Abuja, where traffic often moves at a snail’s pace, a striking sight catches the eye. The people have known him as a man in a corporate suit, complete with a matching tie and polished shoes, strolling from car to car in the scorching sun. He is not a businessman rushing to a meeting or a lawyer heading to court; he is Barrister Haruna, the self-acclaimed “Barrister of Bitter Kola,” hawking his wares at the busy Area 10 Garki traffic junction. Penultimate Tuesday, Sultan Rabiu of Africa Health Report (AHR) engaged him in a chat.
‘Barrister’ Haruna, the nickname he earned from his unique dressing tells his story of eking a life from selling kola nuts in Abuja.
“I wear this suit because I am a Barrister of Bitter Kola,” Haruna says, with a gleam of pride in his eyes. “I dress well because I want people to see that even in hardship, there is dignity in honest work.”
As cars inch forward in the gridlock, Barrister Haruna deftly navigates the sea of vehicles, a bright smile illuminating his face. He carries a basket filled with the vibrant, mottled brown nuts of the kola nut, a cherished staple in many Nigerian cultures. “I’m here every day by 10:30 AM,” he proclaims, his voice ringing with pride. “This is how I feed my family.”
‘Barrister’ Haruna, has turned the act of selling bitter kola into a mission of resilience and hope. “I may not have gone to school, but I am educated in the school of life. I feed my family, and I use this bitter kola business to ensure my brothers have a future.”
His story is one of grit and sacrifice. Haruna supports his two younger brothers, both in secondary school, with the income he earns from selling bitter kola. “One is about to finish school, and the other is still in school,” he shares, a hint of pride in his voice. “I didn’t go to school, but I want them to have the opportunities I didn’t.”
Yet, the path to providing for his family has not been without challenges. The economic climate in Nigeria has made it increasingly difficult for Haruna to sustain his business. Haruna recalls how, in the past season, a bag of bitter kola cost only N20,000, but today, it has nearly tripled to N58,000.
“The price of kola nut has nearly tripled,” he laments, his brow furrowing with concern. “Last season, a bag was N20,000; now it’s N58,000. Every day, it’s adding money.”
To cope, he meticulously saves a portion of his earnings. “I save one thousand naira every day,” Haruna shares, his voice tinged with both determination and frustration. “Bit by bit, I manage to save up to N50,000 to buy a bag. It’s so expensive now, every day it adds more money.”
The financial strain has not only impacted his business but his spirit as well. Haruna recounts a disappointing moment when a fellow barrister—Barrister Emeka—offered to help him purchase bitter kola.
“He asked for my account number and promised to send me N50,000, but he forgot me,” Haruna recalls, disappointment creeping into his voice. “I told him the price of bitter kola was high, and that’s why I couldn’t sell, but he never sent the money, but now I’m still waiting.”
Despite these setbacks, Haruna remains resilient, finding a way to make ends meet. On a good day, he earns between N10,000 and N20,000, enough to feed his family and send his brothers to school. It is this unshakable dedication that drives him forward, even in the face of adversity. “Every sale is a step towards a better life for us,” he says, his resolve unshaken.
With the backdrop of a congested traffic junction and the occasional honking of impatient drivers, Barrister Haruna continues to carve a living from the bitter kola he sells. In his suit, he symbolises more than just a hawker—he is a reminder of the power of persistence, the strength of family, and the dignity that can be found in any work, no matter how humble.
“I may be a bitter kola seller, but I’m proud of what I do,” he says, as a car window rolls down, and a customer buys a kola. “I’m a Barrister—of hope, of hard work, and of a better future for my family.”
In a world where dreams often seem out of reach, Barrister Haruna stands as a testament to the power of determination, proving that success is not solely defined by formal education, but by the relentless pursuit of a better life.
