A Nigerian couple based in Canada and enjoying dual nationality is now $50 million richer after hitting the jackpot in a lottery.

Hakeem and Abiola Nosiru endured a roller-coaster ride of emotions when the lottery ticket went missing only to be found and returned by someone at their church, according to MailOnline of Britain.

“Hakeem Nosiru won the January 17 Lotto Max draw and was one day away from claiming the money when the signed ticket, which he taped to the inside his wife’s purse for safekeeping, was missing after they attended church,” the report said.

It said that “despair turned to joy after a fellow member of the congregation discovered the ticket and reunited it with them on April 1 — a return made possible because Nosiru signed the ticket with their address.

“But the saga wasn’t over yet, as Nosiru gave the ticket to Ontario Provincial Police, who were investigating the matter for Ontario Lottery and Gaming to ensure there were no further snags.

“Everything checked out and Nosiru and his wife Abiola were beaming for the cameras at the OLG prize center Monday, telling reporters they were planning on travelling the world and helping out their family.”

MailOnline reported Abiola Nosiru as saying that when she realised her husband’s winning ticket had disappeared from her purse, “I had a fly in my stomach and I couldn’t sleep for days. I couldn’t eat. I was devastated.”

“We just wanted to see the reality. And the reality is right here now,” she added, fighting back tears.

She wasn’t sure what they’ll do for the woman who ended their losing streak, but told her: “I just want to say thank you.”

•Photo courtesy of MailOnline shows Greg McKenzie, vice president of OLG, (left) handing Hakeem Nosiru and his wife Abiola the $50 million cheque . . . yesterday in Toronto, Canada.

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