University Student Brings Cat to Lecture in Handbag, Sparks Viral Reactions
Student Takes Cat to Class in Bag, Goes Viral

University Student Creates Buzz by Bringing Pet Cat to Lecture Hall

A Nigerian university student has captured widespread attention after bringing her pet cat to academic lectures, carrying the feline companion inside a handbag throughout the class session. The unusual classroom visitor remained remarkably calm and composed, observing the lecture environment without disruption while fellow students continued with their academic activities.

Viral TikTok Video Captures Unusual Classroom Companion

The incident gained national attention when TikTok user @xoxo.belindaaa shared footage of her friend attending university lectures with the pet cat named Eastern. In the viral video, the student can be seen calmly placing the cat inside her black handbag before entering the lecture hall. What surprised many viewers was the animal's exceptional behavior, as it remained peaceful and observant throughout the entire class period.

Sharing the moment online, @xoxo.belindaaa introduced the feline as "our class pet" while documenting the unusual but seemingly accepted classroom occurrence. The video quickly gained massive traction across social media platforms, amassing over 600,000 views, more than 91,000 likes, and thousands of comments within a short period.

Hilarious Online Reactions to Classroom Cat

The viral video sparked a wave of humorous reactions from Nigerian netizens who found both amusement and relatability in the situation. Many commenters highlighted the cat's surprisingly good behavior compared to typical expectations for pets in academic settings.

One user named Daniel Forbes joked about potential classroom interactions, suggesting: "Lecturer: Are you with me. Cat: Meowww." Another commenter, Sis.tina, expressed admiration for the animal's composure, stating simply: "Wow, it's so well behaved."

The most notable reaction came from TheJamilaDiaries, who humorously compared the cat's behavior to human relationships, commenting: "This cat behaves better than my ex." This particular remark resonated widely with social media users and became one of the most shared responses to the viral incident.

University Pet Policies and Previous Incidents

This incident has renewed discussions about pet policies on Nigerian university campuses. In 2025, the University of Maiduguri released an official statement addressing pet ownership on campus grounds. The university management clearly stated that students should keep their pets within their residential confines and refrain from bringing animals to academic lectures and classrooms.

The University of Maiduguri's policy specifically required dog owners on campus to register their pets with the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. This registration process aimed to maintain proper health records, ensure necessary vaccinations, and prevent potential disease transmission between animals and humans within the academic community.

This recent cat incident follows previous similar occurrences on Nigerian campuses. Legit.ng had previously reported about a TikTok user @ansureginald who shared video footage of a new undergraduate student bringing her dog to attend a class. In that instance, the student carried the pet like a baby while walking into a crowded lecture hall, drawing curious looks from fellow students but proceeding with apparent confidence.

Broader Implications for Campus Life

The viral nature of this classroom cat incident highlights several aspects of contemporary Nigerian university culture. It demonstrates how social media platforms like TikTok have become spaces for documenting and sharing unique campus experiences. The widespread engagement with the video also reflects the Nigerian public's interest in lighthearted content that provides relief from more serious national issues.

While the specific university involved in this incident hasn't been officially identified, the student's actions have sparked conversations about appropriate pet conduct in academic environments. The cat's calm demeanor throughout the lecture suggests that with proper training and temperament, some pets might adapt to unusual environments, though most educational institutions maintain policies against such practices for practical and safety reasons.

The incident continues to circulate across Nigerian social media platforms, serving as both entertainment and a conversation starter about the boundaries between personal pet ownership and academic decorum in university settings.