Nigeria: oldest high school student dies aged 83

83 year old Mohammud Modibbo (R) with his teacher Abdul Karim Ibrahim

Mohammud Modibbo took a bold decision to enter primary school in his mid-70s. He did so because as a kid, he was a trader who was busily travelling around the country.


He is now deceased having recently started secondary school in the northern Nigerian city of Kano. Mohammud was believed to be Nigeria's oldest school pupil before his demise aged 83.

His teacher paid tribute to his easy-going and jovial nature despite his age and the fact that he was learning with 'colleagues' far below his age.

"During classes, he was very attentive and asked questions when he didn't understand - either asking the teacher or a student sitting beside him," Abdul Karim Ibrahim said.

The teacher further revealed that Mohammud was aiming at making it to the university but unfortunately "sudden death" had robbed him of that chance.

Kenyan Kimani Maruge is the oldest person ever to enroll in a primary school aged 84 before he died at 89, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.