Alhaja Ujala Character Analysis in Remote Control

Overview of Alhaja Ujala in Remote Control

Alhaja Ujala is a minor but pivotal character in Nnedi Okorafor's Remote Control. She is the owner of Mr. Starlit Electronics in RoboTown, a woman who defies the fear surrounding Sankofa and offers her a temporary home. Alhaja is kind, pragmatic, and deeply human—she sees Sankofa not as a monster but as a girl in need of care. Her brief presence in the novel provides Sankofa with a glimpse of normalcy, faith, and belonging, only to have that hope violently shattered when Alhaja is accidentally killed during a mob attack. Her death becomes a turning point in Sankofa's journey, reinforcing the novel's themes of grief, isolation, and the destructive weight of power.

Alhaja's role is often overshadowed by Sankofa's extraordinary abilities, but she is essential to the story's emotional core. She is one of the few characters who treats Sankofa with unconditional kindness, and her loss echoes throughout the rest of the narrative.

Plot Role

Alhaja enters the story in Chapter 7 when Sankofa arrives in RoboTown. The electronics market is in chaos as vendors flee from Sankofa's reputation, but Alhaja stands apart, smoking a cigarette and observing the girl with curiosity rather than fear. She invites Sankofa to dinner, and during that meal, she reveals that her shop is expecting a shipment of new devices that night and that armed thieves—the Bandit Boys—plan to rob her. Sankofa agrees to stay, and when the thieves arrive, Sankofa's green light flares, causing them to flee. The next day, customers buy out the stock, and Sankofa moves in with Alhaja.

Over the following days, Alhaja takes Sankofa to the mosque, where Sister Kumi teaches her the ninety-nine names of Allah and gives her a grey hijab. Sankofa begins to believe she can suppress her glow and become normal. This hope is central to her arc, and Alhaja is the catalyst for it.

In Chapter 8, Alhaja reveals that the town's robocop was installed decades ago at a deadly intersection and was initially programmed by Sister Kumi. She also gives Sankofa a share of the money from selling avocados from her tree. However, after Sankofa kills a drone that spies on her, the robocop makes a fatal error at the intersection, killing a child. A mob blames Sankofa and stones her; her light bursts forth, killing several people, including Alhaja. Sankofa flees, but the robocop follows and tasers her unconscious.

Alhaja's death is not intentional—it is a tragic accident caused by Sankofa's uncontrollable power. This moment underscores the novel's central conflict: Sankofa's ability to destroy is both a defense and a curse.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Alhaja's motivations are revealed through her actions rather than lengthy exposition. She is brave—she is the only person in the market who does not run from Sankofa, and she openly challenges those who warn her about the girl. She is pragmatic—she invites Sankofa to dinner partly because she needs protection from the Bandit Boys, but she also treats Sankofa with genuine warmth. She is generous—she gives Sankofa a room, buys her clothes, and even pays for a school uniform. She is religious—she takes Sankofa to the mosque and encourages her faith.

Alhaja is also lonely. She tells Sankofa that her second husband left her for another woman, and her daughter is in Singapore pursuing a master's degree. Her home is filled with ceremonial masks, a collection she admits she does not understand, suggesting a desire for connection and meaning. She sees in Sankofa a kindred spirit—someone who is also isolated and searching for a place to belong.

Her actions show that she values honesty and directness. When Sankofa tells her she is thirteen, Alhaja says, “Old enough for honesty,” and then admits she needs Sankofa's help. This transparency builds trust between them.

Chronological Arc

Alhaja's arc is short but impactful. It begins with her first encounter with Sankofa in the market, where she recognizes the girl and calls her over. She invites Sankofa to dinner, and during that meal, she explains the threat from the Bandit Boys. After Sankofa scares off the thieves, Alhaja invites her to stay.

On the third day, Alhaja takes Sankofa to the mosque, where Sister Kumi teaches her to recite the ninety-nine names of Allah and gives her a grey hijab. Sankofa decides to try to suppress her glow and become normal. This is the peak of Alhaja's influence—she has given Sankofa a reason to hope.

In Chapter 8, Alhaja is present when Sankofa returns to the shop after killing the drone. She asks about the accident at the intersection and notices Sankofa's missing hijab. She then sees the drone Sankofa carries and grows alarmed. Later, when the mob bangs on Sankofa's door, Alhaja calls out, “My dear, are you there?”—showing her concern. Moments later, she is killed by Sankofa's light.

After her death, Sankofa flees and eventually settles by a stream, where she carves Alhaja's name into a tree. This act shows that Alhaja remains a significant presence in Sankofa's memory.

Relationships

With Sankofa: Alhaja becomes a surrogate mother figure. She provides shelter, food, and emotional support. She treats Sankofa as a daughter, buying her clothes and a school uniform, and encouraging her to attend school. Their relationship is built on mutual respect and trust. Alhaja is one of the few people who sees Sankofa as a person, not a legend or a threat.

With Sister Kumi: Alhaja is friends with Sister Kumi, the Imam's wife, and introduces Sankofa to her. This connection is crucial because Sister Kumi becomes a spiritual guide for Sankofa, teaching her about Islam and giving her a hijab. Alhaja's trust in Sister Kumi reflects her own faith and her desire to help Sankofa find peace.

With the RoboTown community: Alhaja is a respected businesswoman. She runs a successful electronics shop and is known for her boldness. However, she is also isolated—she has no husband, and her daughter is abroad. Her willingness to defy public opinion by taking in Sankofa shows her independence.

Key Decisions and Consequences

Decision to invite Sankofa to dinner: This act of kindness leads to Sankofa staying in RoboTown and forming a bond with Alhaja. It also puts Alhaja in danger, as she becomes associated with Sankofa.

Decision to take Sankofa to the mosque: This decision introduces Sankofa to Sister Kumi and the practice of reciting the ninety-nine names of Allah. It gives Sankofa a sense of purpose and a hope that she can suppress her glow. This hope is short-lived, but it shapes her emotional state in the following chapters.

Decision to give Sankofa a share of avocado money: This gesture shows Alhaja's fairness and generosity. It also gives Sankofa the means to buy the wooden box containing the seed from her home, which becomes a central object in the story.

Decision to buy Sankofa a school uniform: This act symbolizes Alhaja's belief in Sankofa's future. It represents a normal life that Sankofa desperately wants but cannot have. The uniform is mentioned in Chapter 8 when Sankofa pushes it aside while changing, highlighting the loss of that dream.

Consequence of her death: Alhaja's death is a direct result of the mob attack. It forces Sankofa to flee RoboTown and eventually return to her home village, where she buries the seed. Alhaja's death also deepens Sankofa's guilt and reinforces her belief that her power brings destruction.

Theme and Symbol Connections

Alhaja is connected to several themes in the novel.

The isolating burden of destructive power: Alhaja is one of the few people who tries to see past Sankofa's power, but her death shows that even kindness cannot shield Sankofa from the consequences of her abilities. Alhaja becomes a victim of the very power she tried to help Sankofa control.

Identity loss and reinvention: Alhaja offers Sankofa a chance to reinvent herself as a normal girl. She gives her a hijab, a school uniform, and a home. This attempt at reinvention is shattered by the mob's violence, forcing Sankofa to confront her true identity.

Grief, loss, and the search for home: Alhaja provides a temporary home for Sankofa, but her death leaves Sankofa grieving and searching for a permanent place. Sankofa carves Alhaja's name into a tree, symbolizing her memory and the loss of that home.

Surveillance technology and corporate exploitation: Alhaja's shop is in RoboTown, where the robocop and drones are controlled by LifeGen. Alhaja's death is indirectly caused by the robocop's fatal error, which triggers the mob. This connects to the theme of technology being used to control and harm.

Stories, myths, and the power of narrative: Alhaja's name,