From begging for an exercise book as a child to earning a degree from the University of Ibadan. A journey I never imagined, but one I will forever be grateful for.
Some achievements carry stories that go far beyond the certificates we receive. They are shaped by childhood experiences, difficult choices, personal sacrifices and the determination to rise above circumstances. As I celebrate my graduation from the University of Ibadan, Department of Political Science, on November 12, 2026, I find myself reflecting on a journey that once seemed impossible.
Growing up was not easy. I experienced financial hardship at a level that made even basic educational necessities difficult to afford. I vividly remember approaching people on the streets and pleading for assistance to purchase an ordinary exercise book. Yes, I was once that little boy who had to beg for an exercise book. I also engaged in different forms of menial labour, doing whatever I could to survive. At that stage, survival became more important than education, and I gradually stopped imagining myself returning to the classroom.
Life eventually took me into the transportation business, where I concentrated on making a living. I later ventured into the oil business, learning the trade, gaining experience and developing my entrepreneurial skills. As time went on, I embraced family responsibilities, became a father and focused on building a sustainable livelihood. Returning to formal education was far from my immediate plans.
However, my growing involvement in business, community development and grassroots engagements gradually changed my perspective. Interactions with people from different backgrounds exposed me to opportunities and realities that made me reconsider the place of education in my life. I began to understand that although practical experience had equipped me with valuable skills, formal education could broaden my knowledge, improve my confidence and enhance my capacity to contribute to society.
I started asking myself whether I had abandoned a dream that was still worth pursuing. Could returning to school open doors I had never imagined? Those questions eventually led me to make one of the most important decisions of my life. In 2018/2019, I returned to the University of Ibadan through its Distance Learning Centre to study Political Science.
By then, I was already a father of four, managing business activities and attending to family responsibilities. Interestingly, I welcomed my fifth child while pursuing my undergraduate degree. I was not returning to school as someone without responsibilities; I was a businessman and father determined to create another opportunity for personal growth. I sponsored my education myself, attended tutorials, engaged in personal studies and developed the habit of reading late into the night. After many years away from the academic environment, I had to revisit the basics, adapt to university life and develop the discipline required to succeed.
The academic journey was further affected by circumstances beyond our control. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal academic activities, followed by the prolonged ASUU strike, which further extended our academic calendar. These interruptions tested our patience and commitment. Nevertheless, whenever academic activities resumed, we returned to our studies and continued working towards the goal. The experience taught me that education requires not only intellectual ability but also patience, discipline and resilience.
Beyond the academic challenges, my personal life presented its own difficulties. Combining fatherhood, business, community service, political engagements and studies demanded considerable sacrifice. One of the most painful experiences was the departure of the woman I trusted and hoped to build a future with. She eventually left me with the responsibility of caring for our five children. It was a difficult period, as I had to navigate the demands of raising my children while pursuing my education and managing other aspects of my life. Although the experience was painful, I refused to allow personal disappointment to define my future. My children depended on me, and I knew I had to keep moving, trusting Almighty God for strength and direction.
These experiences also shaped my commitment to community development. Having experienced what it means to lack basic necessities, I developed a strong desire to support people facing similar difficulties. This philosophy contributed to the establishment of Oiler Foundation — Hope of the Less Privileged People. Through the foundation, I have continued to support young people, particularly in education, as well as market women and other members of our communities. I understand the frustration of having aspirations without the resources to pursue them. My childhood experience with something as simple as an exercise book remains a constant reminder that even a little assistance can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
Today, as I celebrate this milestone, I remember the difficult beginnings, the menial jobs, my years in transportation and the oil business, the responsibilities of fatherhood and the sacrifices that accompanied my return to school. More than anything, I appreciate how these experiences have shaped my understanding of life. I have come to see education as more than the acquisition of a certificate; it is an opportunity for intellectual growth, exposure and personal transformation.
I am not celebrating because I have achieved everything I desire. Rather, I am grateful for the opportunity to accomplish something I once considered beyond my reach. My degree is important, but the journey that produced it means even more to me. I sincerely appreciate my lecturers, academic colleagues, friends, family members and everyone who contributed positively to this achievement.
To my five children, this milestone carries a special message: your circumstances should never become a permanent limitation on your aspirations. I hope my journey reminds you that setbacks are part of life, but they do not have to determine your destination.
To anyone who has abandoned a dream because of financial difficulties, family responsibilities, personal disappointments or the passage of time, I hope my story offers encouragement. Life may take us through unexpected routes, but there is always value in finding the courage to begin again.
I once thought my educational journey had ended, but God had another chapter waiting for me. From begging for an exercise book to earning a degree from the University of Ibadan, I have every reason to be grateful. This achievement is another beginning, not the conclusion of my aspirations. There is more knowledge to acquire, more lives to touch and greater contributions to make to society.
I am not yet where I ultimately desire to be, but I am certainly not where I used to be.
Alhamdulillah. To Almighty God alone be all the glory.
AYINDE SARAFADEEN ABIOLA (Oiler)
Department of Political Science
University of Ibadan
November 12, 2026.
