My Academic Journey...Part II

Life is in phases and men are in sizes…but what if you find yourself undersized in a phase of life? That seems to be the exact description of my life between 2002 and 2008. Those were really torrid years for me and I almost gave up on a great future for myself...especially as it relates to academics. Let me unzip the file from the archive for you to see…

Well, if you missed part I, here is the link Part I

The Federal Government sometimes in the early 90s released the new system of education in the country and tagged it 6-3-3-4 system. I guess that's why when we finished writing our WASSC Examination in 2002, everyone in the class had hopes of entering into the next phase - the “4” and supposedly the last of the system rolled out by the government. True to expectations, one after the other, my classmates started securing Admission into higher institutions of learning, some traveling outside the country, while others diverted to learning soft skills such as Tailoring, Hairdressing, etc...but for me? Well, the cycle again began, no advancement. As at 2003, I picked up JAMB form alongside my two older siblings with the aim of securing admission. Results came out and I scored 197. I was devastated and disappointed in myself. My elder siblings secured Admission that year and the following year respectively, but me, well...your guess is as good.?

2004 came and I once again sat for JAMB, results came out, I scored 217. I was told that could secure me admission, so I pressed a bit but all efforts proved abortive. I sat for the 2005 JAMB Examination and my result was withheld. In 2006, I decided to pause and sit for WASSCE (private) so I can have at least a credit in my English Language thereby boosting my chances and choice of Institutions. Results came out in December 2006 and I had a B in English. I entered 2007 with a new hope and registered for the 2007 JAMB Examination. Results came out and I scored 237. I had chosen University of Lagos as both my 1st and 2nd choice. I was invited for the post-JAMB which I went for and performed excellently. We were told to be on the lookout for the Admission list and I was earnestly checking the admission portal on an hourly basis.?

First list came out, my name was nowhere to be found, I took up courage to wait for the second list. That also returned with my name absent. I was told there was a supplementary list. My confidence was already punctured but I still waited. Supplementary list one and list two were released and my name still didn’t turn up on either. I was inconsolable. For days, I wasn’t myself as I watched thousands of my mates I had finished secondary school together with graduate from University. Towards the end of 2007, I started thinking to myself, maybe academics isn’t my thing. Perhaps I should just go learn a trade and do something meaningful with my life...as time waits for no man (so I said to myself). Having ruminated on my shots at JAMB examinations and how the events of the last few years had gone by, I eventually concluded academics was not for me.?

On New year day in 2008, I reluctantly visited a cousin of mine in Bariga, Lagos. He was at that time, a Medical student of University of Ibadan, Ibadan. After the exchange of pleasantries and a few games, food and drinks, he asked the question I dreaded the most - “What is up with you academically? Are you not planning to go further?”. I evaded the question and brought up something else, but he insisted on the question, so I relayed my fears to him telling him how tired and frustrated I was, having made several attempts at University education. He asked a perturbing question - “Why didn’t you choose University of Ibadan?”. I looked at him in utter bewilderment! UI? University of Ibadan? Isn’t that the school of the elites and the renown in the society? Who am I to dare to attempt admission in UI? Those were my responses, however, he encouraged me, telling me UI wasn’t biased and I would be admitted on merit and not on who I know or don’t know. He encouraged me to give JAMB one last shot choosing University of Ibadan.?

April 2008, I sat for another JAMB Examination and in a few weeks, results were released. I scored 244. I called my cousin and he said it’s a good score for a course in Sciences, now it’s time to put matters firmly into God’s hands while I also study hard for the forthcoming post-UTME. August 14, 2008, I went in for the post-UTME at University of Ibadan and it was that day that I knew God wanted me there in Ibadan. As I entered into the Interview panel, I faced a barrage of questions (most of which I knew the answer to), but for some unknown reasons, I couldn’t answer a word. One of the panelists looked at my O’level results in front of him and said “This is how you know those whose parents arranged results for them. Look at this one now, how can he have As and Bs in O’level and cannot answer a question as simple as the value of the angle of an equilateral triangle? How?”.?

In that instance, the Ag. HOD of the Computer Science Department, who headed the panel asked that everyone be quiet and I should be given 5minutes to relax. After those minutes were over, every other question I was asked was brilliantly answered. I left that panel that day thanking the God of 2nd chances and knowing fully well I will be admitted. Well, so it happened. 8th of September, 2008, University of Ibadan released the first batch of admission list and there was my name amongst the 20 students on the 1st batch list admitted into Computer Science. My joy could not be contained that day...finally, the quest of 6 years (2002 - 2008) finally sees light at the end of the tunnel.?

I immediately got ready for resumption, buying everything needed, books, clothes, and all other accessories. I resumed in UI on Friday 19th September, 2008 and immediately settled in. My life within the walls of UI (Friday, 19th September 2008 - Friday, 7th December 2012)? will be a story for another day. It was triangular (Hostel, Department/Faculty and Fellowship)...but impactful and event-filled.? It was a story of delay, but not denial. I was posted to Katsina State for National Youth Service in March 2013 where I served creditably and honorably. Coming back home in May 2014, I supposed my academic struggles were over, but the devil still reared its ugly head. I’ll tell you about that in a minute...