Popular Nigerian online streamer and TikTok sensation, Habeeb Hamzat, widely known as Peller, has shared an emotional account of the pressures he faces as a young breadwinner. At just 19 years old, the content creator revealed that he bears the financial responsibility of his entire family even with both parents and elder siblings alive.
In a heartfelt conversation with fellow TikToker, Sandra Benede, Peller expressed his frustration and emotional exhaustion, saying that being burdened with such expectations has robbed him of peace and a typical youth experience.
“I’m not feeling okay. The other day, I slept off in my car till the next morning. I don’t like what I am facing at this young age. I’m not even 20 years. It is not fair.”
Peller revealed that although he continues to support his family financially, the emotional toll has distanced him from them. Rather than maintaining close ties, he now prefers to offer support from a distance.
“I don’t like seeing my family anymore. I just send them things to make sure they are okay. I don’t like to see them again because my mentality is higher than living with my parents. My mentality now is higher than theirs. It feels like I’m their parent even though I have an elder brother.”
He described his struggle as one that leaves him constantly drained, often fantasizing about escaping from it all.
“I struggle like a parent. I don’t rest. Sometimes, I feel like running away to hide somewhere in America and go offline. I have been meaning to do it but I don’t want them to be worried.”
Reflecting on how much things have changed, he recalled a time when he missed his mother deeply during travels as a child—but not anymore.
“Before I used to miss my mum whenever I travelled as a child. But right now, I don’t miss any of my family members anymore. The only person I will miss is Jarvis. I communicate with my family through the phone but I don’t miss them.”
Peller’s candid confession sheds light on the rarely discussed emotional strain young caregivers face, especially in African families where cultural expectations often place the weight of responsibility on the most capable, regardless of age.
