By Suliah Lawal
Tunde was born in a modest home in a quiet part of Lagos State. His parents were hardworking people who always emphasised the importance of honesty, responsibility, and determination.
From a young age, Tunde understood that life would not hand him anything on a silver platter.
His father often said, “If you want something, work for it. Nothing worth having comes easy,” while his mother would remind him, “Patience will carry you further than speed ever can.”
Despite the lessons he was taught, Tunde’s early teenage years were not easy. He attended a public secondary school where resources were limited.
The library had only a few outdated books, and the classrooms were overcrowded. Many of his classmates gave up easily, complaining that education was a waste of time.
Tunde, however, decided to focus on what he could control. He studied late into the night, using old textbooks and borrowed notes from friends. He also helped his younger siblings with their homework, teaching him responsibility and the value of giving back even when he had little himself.
When the time came for university, Tunde was thrilled to be accepted into a well-known institution. His excitement was short-lived, however, when he discovered that the tuition fees were far beyond what his parents could afford. The disappointment was overwhelming. He felt discouraged and almost gave in to despair.
Many of his friends advised him to drop his dreams and take up a low-paying job to help his family. Tunde considered it, but he remembered his father’s words about hard work and his mother’s advice about patience. He decided he would not give up.
Tunde spent the next year applying for scholarships, attending workshops, and looking for part-time jobs. Every day was a struggle. He woke up early to work at a small café, serving customers and cleaning tables.
In the afternoons, he tutored children in mathematics and English for a small fee. The evenings were spent studying for university entrance exams and writing scholarship essays. There were many nights when he felt exhausted and wondered if all his efforts were in vain. Some days, scholarship letters came back with rejection notes. It would have been easy to quit. But Tunde reminded himself that failure was not the opposite of success but part of the journey toward it.
Finally, after months of effort, Tunde received news that he had been awarded a scholarship from a university foundation he had almost stopped believing in. The scholarship covered the majority of his tuition fees, allowing him to focus on his studies without the constant worry of finances. He enrolled in university with renewed determination.
At the same time, he continued working part-time to cover accommodation and other necessities. His days were long, sometimes stretching from six in the morning until midnight, but he stayed committed to his goal.
At university, Tunde faced new challenges. Some students ridiculed him for working while studying. Others dismissed him as someone who could never compete with those from wealthier backgrounds.
He did not let these comments affect him. He focused on his studies, asking questions in class, completing assignments diligently, and seeking opportunities to learn beyond the curriculum.
At the second year, Tunde had built a reputation for reliability, dedication, and intelligence. Professors began recommending him for internships, and peers sought his guidance on academic matters.
By the time Tunde graduated, he had achieved what once seemed impossible. He had earned his degree in accounting, saved money from his part-time jobs, and gained practical experience through internships.
Shortly after graduation, he was offered a position at a reputable accounting firm. Tunde could now look back at his journey and see the lessons hidden in each challenge he had faced. He realised that the rejections, the long hours, the fatigue, and the sacrifices were all essential parts of the process.
They had strengthened him, taught him resilience, and made him appreciate success fully.