From ₦100m donation to RIP message: Man shares experience during burial planning

A Nigerian man has sparked widespread reactions online after sharing a humorous experience from a burial planning WhatsApp group where donations reportedly climbed to about ₦100 million.

The man narrated the incident on X, formerly known as Twitter, explaining that he was added to the group to help organise the burial of a wealthy deceased man. According to him, the donations began on a shocking note.

“I was added to a WhatsApp group for planning the burial of a big man who died,” he wrote. “The first person donated ₦15 million. The second person donated ₦13 million. The third person donated ₦12 million. Six others donated ₦10 million each.”

He said the figures left him confused and intimidated, as he had planned to contribute only a cow. While he was considering how to quietly exit the group, the donation trend suddenly changed.

“As I was thinking about how to leave the group with the one cow I planned to donate because I don’t understand what was going on again, someone donated ‘May his soul continue to rest in peace’,” he added. “The group has been silent since then.”

The post quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from Nigerians who shared similar experiences and opinions about donation culture at social events.

Reacting to the story, an X user identified as Obidaddy advised against mentioning money at all. “Just tell them you are donating one cow. You have succeeded in rescuing other silent members who are feeling intimidated,” he wrote.

Another user, Celebrity, claimed that the early donations are often strategic. “I can confidently tell you that the first two donations are usually not real. It’s just to make people come up with their donations,” he said.

Jimmy also reacted humorously, saying, “Even the cow they won’t see again. Donation has taken a quick turn. Na emotional support now.”

Zoey described the situation as a typical Nigerian display. “Nigeria in full flex mode! From millions to one cow. That ‘May his soul rest in peace’ guy just ended the whole flex competition,” she wrote.

Sharing a more serious experience, Martins recounted being part of a similar group. “The first donation was ₦5 million. I donated my ₦100k with my full chest,” he said. “Total donation was about ₦60 million. The sad part was that unknown gunmen disrupted the burial on the burial day and lives were lost.”

Fendi, however, urged people not to feel pressured. “Most likely those initial donations are a facade,” he wrote. “Give whatever you have and move on. A decent cow is about ₦800k to ₦1.2 million.”

The viral story has reignited conversations about social pressure, display of wealth, and the emotional strain many Nigerians face during communal fundraising activities.