Best friendships are rarely planned. Sometimes, they happen by chance, sneaking up in the middle of an ordinary moment that changes everything. Other times, they start with one small, powerful act of kindness.
We asked six Nigerians to share the exact moment they knew they’d found the one they’d call their best friend for life. Their stories will warm your heart.
“He saved me from drowning in a river.” — Samuel* 37, M
Samuel and Tomi* became besties after an averted drowning incident that deepened their friendship. Their bond has stayed strong for almost twenty-five years.
“Tomi and I became best friends after he saved me from drowning when we were 12. We were in the same friend group made up of the neighbourhood boys where we lived, but we weren’t close.
That particular day, we all went swimming in a nearby river even though our mothers had warned us not to. I’m not sure what went wrong, but I couldn’t keep my head above water at some point. I tried calling for help, but water flooded my mouth. Only Tomi noticed and swam to me without hesitating. He pulled me out of the water and saved my life. We have been inseparable since.
Tomi moved out of the country in 2022, but the distance has nothing on us. We still text almost every day and hop on a video call at least once a week. He’s my guy for life.”
“She defended me from being bullied.” — Derayo* (28), F
Derayo became best friends with Demide* after Demide’s kindness during their A-levels changed her life.
“I was bullied a lot in secondary school, and didn’t have any friends to speak of. That changed when I started my A-levels in 2014.
One day, I accidentally ran into Derayo, spilling her books on the floor like in the movies. I apologised, and we talked for a bit. We found that we had similar interests, and that’s how we became friends. From that day, Derayo would come to my class to spend her breaks with me. She helped me with my self-confidence and defended me from anyone who tried to bully me for the rest of the school year.
About five months after we met, she officially asked me to be her best friend. I said ‘yes’, and our friendship has been rock solid since. We went to different universities after A-levels but spent every strike break and holiday together, either at her house or mine. Her family has basically adopted me as their child, and mine has done the same.
I can’t imagine my life without her. I love her so much. We have our differences, but I am sure nothing can come between us.”
“She was my brother’s best friend, and I stole her from him.” — Fiyin* (30), F
Fiyin and Timi* met when Timi was dating Fiyin’s brother. They clicked instantly, and their friendship has remained strong eleven years later.
“My brother and best friend were initially besties, but one thing led to another, and they dated briefly. During their relationship, he introduced me to Timi, and the spark was instant; we became inseparable almost immediately.
Timi and my brother eventually broke up, but our friendship didn’t wane; in fact, it became stronger. It’s been eleven years of the best friendship ever. Sometimes, my brother jokes that I stole her from him, and I’m happy I did. Timi and her kindness constantly inspire me. I already know what colour I will wear to her wedding and the name she’s giving my first child. She’s basically my sister now.”
“Our first business together made us best friends.” — Seun* (40), M
Seun’s friendship with Biola* started in secondary school when they started a comic book business together. They still invest in businesses together, and their friendship is as strong as ever.
“Biola and I were set mates in secondary school. When we were in SS2, I started drawing comics as a hobby. Seun saw one of them and suggested we start a business where he would write stories, and I would convert them to comics. We didn’t make a dime from that business, but our friendship has become one of the best ones I have ever experienced.
We’re old men now, but we’ve done countless investments and businesses together. He is the person I go to when I need advice or an ear to rant to, and he comes to me when he needs the same. I know that I can be completely honest with him. Our friendship has carried us both through some really rough stages in our lives. I feel very lucky to know him.”
“She raised money to replace my phone unprovoked.” — Tolu* (29), F
Tolu realised Bisi* was her best friend after she went out of her way to raise funds for her after she got robbed.
“I got robbed on my way back home from work in 2022. The thieves took my phone and all my money. I was devastated because I had just gotten the phone a few months before the robbery.
As soon as Bisi heard about it, she started a savings group and added all our mutual friends. Over the course of two months, they put money together to get me another phone. When she brought me the phone, I immediately started crying. It was such a kind thing to do, and she did it unprovoked. Our bond has only gotten stronger since then. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.”
“My best friend helped me escape an abusive marriage” — Yetunde* (59), F
Yetunde became besties with Abosede* after Abosede helped her leave an abusive marriage and restart her life in a new city.
“I got married in 1988 to a physically and verbally abusive man. I didn’t want to face the stigma of having a failed marriage, so I didn’t feel I could speak out or ask for help.
Abosede and I were friends while I was in school, but we lost touch after graduation. We reconnected at an owambe in 1998, and I told her about what I was going through. She was livid and told me I had to get out of that situation.
She planned my escape with me, helped me rent an apartment when I moved out with my children and held my hand throughout the whole divorce process. I’m sure I wouldn’t have been able to go through with it if she weren’t by my side. Even afterwards, she stood by me when I needed support. We still call each other weekly and visit each other often. I see her as more than a friend; she is now my sister.”
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