When Promise Okoro walked out of his final degree exams earlier this month, he fully expected the usual end-of-term celebrations

He says he was not embarrassed at all. Instead, his classmates cheered.

The moment was captured on video and quickly spread online, drawing thousands of warm reactions.

For some people outside south-east Nigeria, a goat might seem like an unusual gift to mark the end of university. But among the Igbo people, the animals can carry deep cultural meaning.

They are valuable gifts, often given to show respect, appreciation and goodwill and are associated with important occasions such as traditional weddings, family celebrations and ceremonies honouring elders or special guests.

Promise has not yet hit on a fitting name for his prized possession.

Some have questioned what the graduand now plans to do with the animal - but he tells the BBC it is very much his companion so he would never eat it.

“It's now my pet, it's too precious to me, I have no intention of killing it.”

In fact, the plan is to get a female goat and start breeding the pair.

Until then, Promise's goat will continue enjoying special status at the student halls where he roams freely and even has some human-like habits.

"I have noticed it loves fried rice a lot! The way he eats up my fried rice leftovers - very voracious," laughs Promise