For over three decades, a Nigerian man named Akibu has made his living in a field that few can claim mastery of: palm tree climbing. His story, which recently captured the attention of viewers on TikTok, gives a rare, honest look into the daily realities and unique skill set required to earn a livelihood from this challenging job.
A detailed interview, shared in a TikTok video, reveals Akibu’s journey—from the trials that led him to wildlife heights, to the surprising daily income he earns after scaling as many as 23 palm trees in a single day.
Before embracing life among the treetops, Akibu worked as a driver. According to his account, the routine and constraints of driving for others wore him down. Disillusioned and searching for a path to independence, he turned to a friend—who has since passed on—for guidance. This friend taught him the skills for palm tree climbing, eventually allowing Akibu to strike out on his own.
I was formerly a driver
Akibu, speaking in Yoruba and later translated into English by Legit.ng, recounts his early days working behind the wheel and what finally prompted his career switch.
He explained:
“My name is Akibu, I’m from Ibadan. I’ve been climbing palm trees for about 32 years. I was formerly a driver, and when I didn’t want to be someone else’s driver, I decided to be a tree climber.”
How I learned the work
He shared that his late friend, a peer in the tree-climbing profession, was responsible for passing down the specialized techniques needed for the job. Without this mentorship, Akibu’s story could have taken a very different turn.
In his own words:
“It was sufferness that brought me here. When I was a driver, I couldn’t afford money for my own car, children would ask for money and I’d give, and I decided to learn this job from a friend. That’s how I became a climber of palm trees. It was my friend that taught me, but he is no longer alive.”
I climb a lot of trees daily
Through experience and grit, Akibu has developed the stamina to climb dozens of palm trees every day. He revealed that his earnings, often higher than many other workers in different professions, allow him to support himself comfortably.
His remarks:
“Sometimes, the body doesn’t want to work, but on some days when the body wants to work, like today, I have climbed 23. There’s no job that is without a hard part, sometimes we see snakes, bees while on the work of palm tree climbing.”
Despite the hazards, from stings and spines to dangerous falls, Akibu says he has always managed his risks. He acknowledges the pain and difficulty but relies on his training and intuition to stay safe.
“We’ll confront it, whoever can kill each other will, but it’s more preferable for me to kill it than for it to harm me.”
The tools I use at work
Describing his daily equipment, Akibu listed essential tools like an axe, cutlass, and various devices for climbing. These, along with his years of practice, form his system for safe and productive ascents.
“They are of two types, the one below is ‘Ekere’, it also has two types. The one above is ‘Orin’. There’s another called ‘Efun’ and we use it for climbing, also an ‘Apaka’ which is used to rest the back and it is faster than the one I’m using, but the problem is that people fall off it. But this one doesn’t make one fall. If it was ‘Apaka’, I would have gotten to the top, but this one brings safety than the other.”
Photo: filayoruba
Source: Tiktok
Source: TikTok
Remarkably, Akibu said he’s never suffered a significant injury or fall in his entire career—a feat he attributes to both his skill and diligence on the job.
“No, I’ve never fallen off the tree, no. No, because I haven’t slept with someone else’s wife. No, it’s not only palm trees but those who do bad will receive bad. But whenever I want to go to farm, I pray to God to not go to anyone that would make me return home.”
He noted also that he doesn’t feel compelled to work every single day. Instead, he listens to his body and allows himself to rest so as not to overstrain or risk injury.
“Yes, days like that are many. I might have even sharpened my axe and feel like not working anymore and turn down the job for the day. It’s a gift, I inherited it from my mother. Even while I was a driver, there are days I don’t feel like working and drop the keys. It happens in all jobs including carpentry and mechanics.”
Photo: filayoruba
Source: Tiktok
Source: TikTok
His further reflections on the subject of his tools added additional insight:
“This cutlass, we take it to the farm if there’s thick bushes on the road. The other is what we use to file the axe, and that’s the oil for it, but we can use anything, even petrol. Some people use kerosene and red oil, but I use diesel. The thing is, for sharpening of the axe alone, some people use stone to sharpen it, but this makes it sharper. This is the trouser I use in tree climbing.”
What motivates me to do the job
For Akibu, the most compelling aspect of his work is the possibility of earning enough in a short time to meet his day-to-day needs. He draws strength from the independence and self-sufficiency the profession provides—a far cry from his earlier frustration as a hired driver.
“What makes me proud is many, not to brag. If I have a party coming, if I go to work tomorrow, I’ll see enough money to spend at the party. Even if there’s a party tomorrow, before the end of today, I’ll already make enough money to spend there. There’s money in it, I’ve made #14,500 today, I still have it in my pocket. The pains I passed through, they can’t. I’ve been bitten by a lot of things today, those in the office use pen to write, and in the office, but me, rain and sun meet me on the job.”
The story drew notable reactions and reflections from viewers, with many Nigerians sharing their admiration, curiosity, and lessons learned from Akibu’s journey.
Ademiraltips Construction Nig shared:
“My question is, do we have young people learning this because most children of these days don’t want to work like our fathers, and which is profitable.”
MT commented:
“I like opaka pass this one. I have used opaka well when I Dey village. Una no do opaka well na why Una Dey think person go fall..”
Popo added:
“My Akope made 50k yesterday he wanted to collect 70k I begged him to 50k just for two days.”
real_ade clothings1 remarked:
“Omoh I nearly learn this work then ooo .May God be with us all :palms_up_together:.”
ENI_FEM observed:
“I dnt know why I just love this man vibes and the way is very proud of his job. more good health babba.”
YobamiSam responded:
“Baba..May God bless your handwork. whatever works we’re doing..as long as we’re seeing the blessing… We’ll continue.”
UNILORIN student who did menial jobs graduates
Akibu’s determination has sparked conversations about hard work and success in Nigeria. In a related story, a Nigerian woman—while a student at UNILORIN—also made headlines when she celebrated completing her degree despite having to juggle menial jobs to make ends meet.
She took to X (formerly Twitter) to inspire others, sharing details about the series of odd jobs she held while striving for her degree in one of Nigeria’s prestigious universities.
Her story quickly captured attention, prompting hundreds of Nigerians to express support, share their own stories, and salute her perseverance on social media.
