Esomnofu Ifechukwu, winner of the prestigious Teacher of the Year Competition, has opened up about his dark past with sports betting, revealing how the habit nearly destroyed his life.

In a candid post shared on Facebook on Monday, Ifechukwu recounted how his betting addiction in 2017 drained him financially and emotionally. He said it got so bad that he had to sell his personal belongings, including a plastic chair, a small TV, and even his generator, just to survive.

According to him, his situation worsened to the point where he could no longer pay his rent and was forced to move back to his parents’ home.

“Betting finished me that year. One ticket destroyed everything. Bank account — empty. Pocket — empty. I even dropped my phone as collateral, begging them not to reset it,” he wrote.

He added that while he appeared cheerful on the outside, he was broken inside, living with the painful consequences of gambling.

Now, eight years later, Ifechukwu says the memory still feels fresh and serves as a warning to others. He urged Nigerians, especially young people, to avoid gambling if they cannot control the urge.

“If you can’t control betting, please don’t even try it. Before you move from ‘big boy’ to ‘please, can I borrow small airtime,’” he warned.

His story has since resonated with many online, sparking conversations about the dangers of gambling and its impact on individuals and families.