A family’s outing to a Yola zoo quickly turned into a comedy of errors after they discovered something nobody expected — animal statues standing in for the real thing.
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You know that feeling when you hype up an outing, dress the children fine-fine, pack your snacks, and then reality slaps you square in the face? That is exactly what happened to one Nigerian family who visited a zoo in Yola, Adamawa State — and came home with a story nobody will forget in a hurry.
Statues? In a Zoo? Oga, Seriously?
A video shared on Facebook by one Yakaka Yerima* sent the internet into full meltdown mode after it revealed something truly baffling — the zoo’s enclosures were occupied not by lions, elephants, or even a stubborn goat, but by *statues of animals.
Yes, you read that right. Cement and plaster standing proudly where living, breathing creatures should have been.
The family, who had clearly come prepared for a proper animal-viewing experience, were visibly stunned as they walked through the zoo grounds only to be greeted by concrete sculptures staring back at them with lifeless eyes.
Nigerians React: “Only in Nigeria!”
As expected, once the video hit social media, Nigerians did what they do best — they brought the jokes, the pain, and the real talk all at once.
Comments ranged from pure laughter:
> “The lion nor fit roar but e dey there for you — that’s customer service at its finest!”
To genuine concern about the state of public recreational facilities across the country:
> “This is actually sad. Children deserve better than this.”
And of course, the classic Nigerian resignation:
> “Only in this our country. You pay your money, you collect your statue. Receipt dey?”
A Bigger Conversation We Need to Have
While the video is undeniably funny on the surface, it points to a deeper issue that many Nigerians know all too well — the decay of public infrastructure and recreational spaces across the country.
Zoos, parks, museums, and other public facilities that should serve as educational and leisure destinations for families are often poorly funded, badly managed, or simply abandoned to deteriorate over time. When budgets disappear and accountability is missing, you end up with exactly this — a zoo full of statues.
Children growing up in cities like Yola deserve access to properly maintained spaces where they can learn about wildlife, nature, and the world around them. A zoo where the “animals” don’t move, eat, or breathe is not just a disappointment — it is a failure of governance and public service.
The Takeaway
Yakaka Yerima probably did not expect her Facebook post to go viral, but in sharing her family’s experience, she inadvertently sparked a conversation that goes far beyond one zoo in Adamawa State.
Nigeria is a country bursting with potential, creativity, and resources. Our people deserve recreational facilities that actually work — zoos with real animals, parks with functioning equipment, and museums that tell our stories with pride.
Until then, at least the statues are not going anywhere.
Have you ever had a similarly shocking experience at a public facility in Nigeria? Drop your story in the comments — we could all use a laugh and a little solidarity.
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