“It is no longer poverty, but economy.” PD Doughnut Seller Reveals

Students waiting to buy PD Doughnut

Photo: Moshood Hameedat 

Interview 

Adeitan Moronfade

Your stay as a student in Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) is never complete without a taste of the famous PD doughnut. Renowned for its larger than life size and texture, PD(Poverty Doughnut in full) has been the savior of most students for years- particularly during hard times when Sapa gets the best of you. Much must have been known of the doughnut, but little must have been heard of the maker. Laspo Watch embarked on an exclusive interview with Mrs. Oladipupo Daniel, the brain behind PD Doughnut.

Can we know you Ma?

I’m Mrs. Oladipupo Daniel. I started this business back in August, 2010.

How has your relationship with students been?

You should know how you students behave. Students display all sorts of attitudes. But what can we do? We are your parents too. How many of your attitudes do I want to recount? Is it that of some students who would not pay for what they buy but still claim to have change with you? If one had not been smart, one would have just been working in vain.

How profitable is this business?

Ever since Buhari took charge in 2015, cost of things have been expensive. Now we buy #5000 worth of flour for #35,000. The same thing with sugar. But we give thanks to God for keeping us in business. Before, we are always happy at the end of sales for the day. But now, we look up to God to smile at the end of day. The amount spent in purchase of ten bags of flour is what we spend on just a bag now.

Considering the size of your doughnut as compared to others, how are you able to make profit?

To anyone who knows business strategy won’t have problem. My doughnuts are always hot, big, and has sugar sprinkled on it. Due to the cost of flour these days, it is no longer as big as it was before. It’s the size that attracts students. It was when we get flour in abundance that the name “poverty” stick to the doughnut due to its size. But with the situation of things in the country, it is no longer “poverty” but “economy” which most people can reckon with considering the reduction in size of the doughnut.

How do you feel when you hear students calling your doughnut PD?

I do tell them to get their poverty doughnut inside the bush (smile). A foreigner once came around, asking what the students are queueing for. They told him they want to buy poverty doughnut. He was like ‘can you imagine? Using your money to buy wretchedness.’ Here, I don’t sell wretchedness. When you get inside the bush you can get it there. So whenever I hear the students saying they want to buy poverty doughnut, I do tell them to go get it in the bush and they will start smiling.

Do you know the reason why students give your doughnut that name?

I’m aware of the reason behind the name. It’s been given names like hungry man, sugar sugar, and big for nothing. Those were the names they called it about ten years ago. But some sect of students admitted four years ago changed the name to poverty doughnut which became circulated.

What challenges have you faced in the course of this business?

It is unspeakable. When we got here, this place was known as back while Iya Yinka and Iya Awesu area were labelled as front. Then, the SUG building was a class used by Business Administration students. School of Technology and other departments were yet to built then. We only had School of Engineering and the Library Complex. Then, we had to market the doughnut across the available departments which was mostly done by students like you. I have plastic bowls which the students use in selling across classes and I do give them their commission. That was how we started. But we began making more sales when other schools and departments were built. I am the first occupant of this shop and that’s why you see the date inscribed on a block. The shop was built in August, 2010.

What attempt have you made in stopping the students from calling your doughnut PD?

“Let them keep calling it that way. I’ve corrected them severally, but they won’t listen. Whenever I heard them request for poverty doughnut, I do direct them to the bush. Moreover, the students are smart now as they don’t call it such when they are close to me. They are used to the name, but they’ve learnt to caution themselves once they are here. It’s just for fun though and you don’t have to take such personal as a business person.

Any word of advice for the students?

I will advice you to concentrate on your studies. In everything you do in school, be considerate of your parents and don’t let their effort go in vain. Don’t join bad gangs and learn how to manage. The country is not good presently. Things are very hard these days and as such, learn how to manage the little sent to you. Also, embrace entrepreneurship in addition to your studies.