Viral 19-Year-Old Waste Seller Receives ₦1m Cash, ₦7.05m Donations, Scholarship

• A 19-year-old Nigerian boy who went viral for selling plastic waste to buy tiling tools has received overwhelming support, including cash gifts, tools, donations worth millions, groceries, and a university-level scholarship.
• Overwhelmed by the gesture, Samuel broke down in tears, rolled on the floor, and expressed gratitude.

A video of a 19-year-old Nigerian boy selling plastic waste and cartons to raise money for work tools has gone viral on social media, drawing emotional reactions from Nigerians.

The teenager, identified as Samuel, was seen in the viral clip lifting and dropping bags of plastic waste at a collection point. He explained that each bag, filled with cartons and rubber materials, earned him between ₦1,000 and ₦2,000, which he saved towards purchasing tools needed for his tiling work.

Samuel was later approached by TikTok content creator @bayuztvs, who asked why he was involved in the waste business and who introduced him to it. The teenager revealed that he needed money to buy work tools and that his parents were unaware of what he was doing.

According to Samuel, he had learned tiling years earlier but had been unable to start working professionally due to the lack of equipment. Listing the items he needed, he said:
“Cutting machine, mallet, pitches, and knife.”

Moved by his determination, the content creator offered immediate support. Samuel was taken for a haircut, given new clothes, and treated to a meal at a restaurant. He was also surprised with one of the tiling tools he needed, a new phone, and ₦50,000 in cash.

Overwhelmed by the gesture, Samuel broke down in tears, rolled on the floor, and expressed gratitude. In the emotional moment, he also asked to see his mother, further touching viewers online.

In a follow-up video, the content creator visited Samuel’s home and met his mother, who was surprised with ₦1 million in cash. The family was also taken grocery shopping, where food items reportedly worth over ₦650,000 were purchased.

Following the viral videos, fans and supporters of the content creator reportedly donated a total of ₦7.05 million to support Samuel and his family. The funds were aimed at helping him fully settle into his trade and improve his family’s living conditions.

Samuel was also awarded a scholarship up to university level, securing his educational future alongside his vocational career.

Beyond my comprehension God😭 Best video ever #bayuztv pic.twitter.com/0r6hXqOScH

— BayuzTv (@BayuzTv) January 26, 2026