The story of Auwal Dankode, a Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) employee who returned $10,000 (approximately ₦16 million) found on an aircraft at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, has sparked widespread discussion on social media.
While many have praised Dankode’s integrity, others have expressed skepticism, highlighting the challenges of maintaining honesty in a country where economic hardship is common.
Dankode, a cabin cleaner at NAHCO, discovered the money during his routine cleaning duties on an aircraft identified as flight MS878.
Without hesitation, he reported the find to the airline’s station manager, setting in motion efforts to locate the rightful owner of the cash. NAHCO, in turn, commended Dankode for his exemplary conduct, emphasising that his actions reflect the company’s core values of Safety, Integrity, Innovation, Reliability, Respect, and Empathy (S I I R E E).
The story has elicited a wide range of reactions on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly known as Twitter).
Many users praised Dankode for his honesty and strong moral character, with some invoking religious blessings for his future.
For instance, user @maryam_Jidayi wrote, “May God bless him. Some unfortunate souls will call him a fool!” This sentiment was echoed by @dr_ahmadsmall, who tweeted, “May Allah bless him and give him more in a Halal way. Ameen.”
Others, however, took a more cynical view.
User @JardaniJovonovv expressed doubt about the rewards of such honesty in Nigeria, stating, “Nice guys always carry last. The money would have changed his life, but the Nigeria I know doesn’t reward good deeds.”
Another user, @realaspirin, respected Dankode’s decision but offered a more pragmatic perspective, saying, “I respect people like this, but God won’t come down himself to come help you. And me saying that doesn’t mean you should go away with someone’s money.”
The mixed reactions to Dankode’s actions reveal underlying tensions in Nigerian society, where economic challenges can make acts of honesty appear both admirable and impractical.
The average income for many Nigerians, especially those in lower-paying jobs, is often insufficient to meet basic needs. In such an environment, the temptation to keep found money can be strong, and the decision to return it may be seen as naïve by some.
Despite these challenges, Dankode’s story also highlights the existence of individuals who choose to act with integrity, even when it might seem against their own interests.
User @SuperSlimEli captured this sentiment by tweeting, “I respect people like this. We still have good people in this country; they should be protected at all cost.”
Religion plays a significant role in the lives of many Nigerians, and it is no surprise that several social media reactions invoked religious principles in response to Dankode’s actions.
For example, @dr_ahmadsmall and @IT_Erogbogbo both wished for Allah’s blessings upon Dankode, reflecting the belief that spiritual rewards will follow acts of honesty.
