Abeokuta – A mother-of-five has now become a mother-of-nine after delivering a set of quadruplets at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State, leaving her family stranded and financially stretched.
Mufiat Olateju and her husband, Oluwaseun Olateju, a butcher, were reportedly cash-strapped following the arrival of the “unexpected” babies.
The mother told newsmen on Thursday, March 12, that the quadruplets came as a complete surprise, as earlier medical scans had not revealed she was carrying four babies.
“I have given birth to five children before. Initially, when we had a scan, it did not show quadruplets, so we did not prepare for it,” Mufiat said.
“According to the first scan, we were expecting just one baby, but subsequent scans showed two. Please, I need the help of the government and good people because I do not know where to start. I am 40 years old, and I want the government to help take care of these four children.”
Her husband, Oluwaseun Olateju, also appealed for assistance, acknowledging the challenge of raising quadruplets alongside their other children. “I want the government to please come to my aid because I cannot do it alone. It is beyond my power. At one point, I even thought of running away, but I later changed my mind because I believe everything will be fine,” he said.
The couple explained that they were unprepared for the quadruplets, noting that the first scan suggested they were expecting only one child and later scans indicated twins.
They have since been struggling to cope with the sudden responsibility, including the high cost of medical bills and the daily care of nine children.
Medical experts note that multiple births, particularly quadruplets, carry higher risks and require specialized care, which can be expensive and demanding on families.
The Olatejus have appealed to the Ogun State Government and well-meaning individuals to support them in meeting the medical and nutritional needs of the newborns.
As the family remains stranded at the hospital, their story underscores the challenges many families face in accessing adequate support during unexpected medical situations, and highlights the role of community and government assistance in safeguarding maternal and child health.
