By TO many, this is just an ordinary sign-out from university, but to my family and me, it’s a historic and pace-setting moment — not just for us, but for generations to come.
In 2016, I finished secondary school just like many ambitious students. I aced my WAEC and had big dreams. A week after my exams, I started working as a minder in a school. Somewhere deep inside, I knew that I’d be the one to see myself through university. So, I chose to chase the black goat while it was still daytime.
The plan was simple: work for two years, save, and, then, head off to university. But what I thought would be a short break turned into a long wait — five whole years! And they weren’t easy. Those were some of the loneliest and most depressing years of my life. Friends disappeared; everyone had moved on to university life while I stayed behind, working and saving.
While working in the first school, I realised that my small salary wouldn’t be enough to see me through school, so, I extended the work plan by two more years.
In 2018, I applied to a better-paying school and was fortunate to land a classroom teacher role that paid three times more.
In my mind, I had “arrived.” But that excitement was short-lived. That new school came with heavy challenges that made me regret ever applying. Still, I pushed through. I picked up extra income through home lessons. The stress was overwhelming and affected my health, but I persevered.
In 2019, I wrote my first JAMB, bought the screening form for the university, but, then, I backed out! Fear and doubts set in, and they overwhelmed me. How would I survive financially? Who would support me?
People said, “Is it this your small savings that will carry you through university?” “Just go for part-time. Full-time isn’t for people like you.” Those words echoed in my head!
But in January 2020, I made a decision. I told myself: “This pattern must end with me.”
No one in my lineage had ever started and finished university; I was going to break that jinx!
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I bought another JAMB form and passed again, but, then, came COVID-19 and ASUU strike — it felt like the universe was against me, but I stayed determined.
Fast forward to April 25, 2021, I got admitted to study Communication Arts at the University of Uyo. It wasn’t easy going to university self-sponsored — it was just me, my little savings, and my unshakable will. There were tough days; near-dropouts, and moments of exhaustion.
And guess what? I excelled. I bagged two scholarships during my time in school!
The glory…..
Today, I signed out of the university. I broke the jinx and patterns that had existed in the lineage for years.
I didn’t just sign out as a Communication Arts student; I signed out also as a TECH SIS (a Web3 baddie and a Cybersecurity Analyst).
To my ancestors, who dreamed of this day, and to those coming after me: EPHPHATHA!
The door is open! Walk through, boldly.
My name is Goodness Chiamaka Nwani
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