Ogun Mother of Five Welcomes Surprise Quadruplets, Appeals for Aid

ABEOKUTA,– What began as an expectation of one more child has turned into a joyous yet overwhelming miracle for Mufiat Olateju, a 40-year-old mother from Atan in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Ogun State. Already parents to five children, Mufiat and her husband, Oluwaseun, were stunned on Wednesday, March 11, when she delivered quadruplets – three boys and one girl – via Caesarean section at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abeokuta.

The family, based in Abeokuta, had braced for a simple addition to their household of seven. But labour complications led to Mufiat’s referral to FMC, where a skilled team of doctors and nurses safely brought all four babies into the world. Hospital sources confirmed the newborns and mother are in stable condition, hailing the delivery as a “medical triumph” amid the surprise multiple pregnancy.

Speaking to reporters from her hospital bed, Mufiat recounted the shock. “I’ve given birth to five children before,” she said. “The first scan didn’t show quadruplets – it indicated just one baby. Later scans revealed two, so we prepared for twins at most. This came out of nowhere.”

Her husband, Oluwaseun, a resident of Atan, echoed the family’s plea for support as medical bills mount. “I’m the husband of the woman who gave birth to four children here at FMC,” he said. “We come from Atan in Ado-Odo/Ota LGA. I beg the Ogun State government and kind-hearted Nigerians to come to our aid. It’s beyond my power alone. At one point, I even considered running away, but faith kept me here. Everything will be fine, God willing.”

The quadruplets join five siblings, ballooning the family to nine children overnight. With no prior indication of such a high-risk pregnancy, the Olatejus now face steep costs for neonatal care, medications, and postnatal support. Social media buzz has amplified their story, with #OgunQuadruplets trending locally as netizens urge Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration to intervene.

ADVERTISEMENT

FMC spokesperson Dr. Fatima Adebayo noted the facility’s readiness to support indigent families but stressed the need for external assistance. “We’re overjoyed for the family, but such cases strain resources,” she said.

As of Friday morning, neither the Ogun State government nor federal agencies have responded publicly to the appeal. Neighbours and local groups have pledged minor donations, but the family insists comprehensive help is essential for the babies’ future.

The Olatejus’ story underscores the vulnerabilities of large families in Nigeria’s rising cost-of-living crisis, where unexpected blessings can quickly become burdens without communal safety nets.