More often than not, Big Brother Naija reality show star, Alexandra Asogwa—Alex Unusual as she is known—makes the headlines for controversies.
But in the latest episode of “Unpack With Nay,” with host Angel Anosike, Alex sheds light on a deeply personal and painful chapter of her life: her harrowing experiences with bullying.
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching detail in the raw and emotional 51-minute-long conversation was Alex recounting the relentless torment she endured at the hands of fellow students and seniors in boarding school.
On one such occasion, she recounts, she was descended upon for the grievous crime of chatting with a boy—or rather, having him chat with her.
“…You’d see a heap of (cloth) hangars, and they’ll start to beat you at the same time. They can be up to eighteen girls beating one person. In those moments, it was always impossible for me to cry.”
The cruelty didn’t stop at physical abuse.
She was denied sleep, framed for stealing (which only led to more beatings and even less sleep), and struggled with her studies as a result.
Yet, despite the torment, Alex hid the details from her mother, a decision she now strongly advises against. That’s why she passionately advises parents to be more vigilant about their children’s well-being.
Alex’s ordeal is but a reflection of a larger, disturbing pattern of bullying that continues to plague countless students in Nigerian secondary schools. As recently as April, Lead British International School, a supposed elite institution, was exposed for harboring some of the most vicious bullies in Abuja which invited the intervention of the Ministry of Women Affairs.
By sharing her truth, Alex not only gives us a glimpse into the experiences that baked her resilience but also brings attention to the gruesome reality of millions of young students on a daily basis. It’s also a reminder that behind every resilient smile lies a past that may be fraught with pain.
In all, one message stands clear: #Notobullying.
You can watch the full interview here.