Going to the university or taking up any tertiary level of education without a strong financial support is a very risky thing to do. The risk of dropping out is high and yet, many Nigerian students take the risk because we place so much importance on the knowledge we are going to acquire.
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Education is a scam is the saying among many Nigerian students today but some of us still believe that it can change our lives for good. It isn't just about having results, the little knowledge we picked up there is definitely valuable to us.
I have seen instances where education played a great difference for people and I can guess how heartbroken they will be if they had missed that opportunity because they aren't educated. I got a few opportunities at good jobs but not having any results to back my knowledge up wouldn't let me grab my chances then, not every organization here will settle with what's in your head ~ you definitely need results to hold a good position in a company.
I started saving up for my tertiary education after I realized I have been fooled by someone who I thought would help me achieve my dreams in life and staying at home for five years after secondary school wasn't what I thought would ever happen to me. As life would have it, most of my savings were used for things related to family, and at a point, I decided to go whether I have enough or not. I was troubled, it was a wrong decision but I didn't bother because I felt my dreams were gradually fading away and returning to school was the only way of reviving them.
My savings was enough to cover my first year of school fee and other fees even though I couldn't afford the handouts and materials needed for practicals. The humiliation I suffered for not buying handouts was huge but it became a normal thing and even made me famous.
I was completely broke in my second year, I picked up a tutorial job for my course mate and it paid off. I was able to sustain myself and save some part of my school fee.
The time came to pay and I couldn't, it wasn't a serious issue until exams were approaching. Every effort to make the first 60% payment failed and the exam kicked off while I still running around for the money.
My HOD was a kind man and he pleaded on my behalf for my first two papers. For my third paper, I wasn't allowed in until it was 45 minutes to the end of the paper.
I thought about it critically and I knew I was walking at the brink of getting a carry-over if I missed any paper but there was nothing I could do. I spoke to the guys I was tutoring and they came up with some money for me, you need to see how I felt when the money was sent to my account.
I was happy but it wasn't still enough. I was able to write another paper even though I was delayed and I was broken that day because the rector passed a message that no student should be allowed to sit for the remaining exams without payment.
On my way home after the exam, I somehow started a conversation with the prettiest girl in class. I actually crushed on her before but I knew it would be stupid for a guy who can't even cater for himself to shoot his shot at such a classy girl.
It wasn't our first time talking but it was just academic discussion then. She noticed I wasn't cheerful like I do in class and asked what was wrong.
I told her my problem and she transferred the money to me immediately. I didn't know how to thank her enough that day and after showing gratitude, we went our separate ways.
I rushed to the ICT to make the payment only for my debit card to decline the transaction. I tried withdrawing the money from the ATM but it wouldn't work as well. I became angry and when to the nearest branch of the bank.
I was shocked when they said my account was frozen. How is that even possible? The biggest shock was that I have to visit the bank where I opened the account before it can be unfrozen.
The day was actually over, rushing to the bank where I opened my account will take me at least 3hrs journey and they must have closed by then. I begged the bank and told them what was at risk but they wouldn't listen.
Luckily for me, my next paper was at noon so I left home very early the next day for the bank. On getting there, I was told my house address on the account was wrong. They told me the things to do but there was no time for that so I forcefully went to the manager's office and explained what was at risk. I told her that I must be in school by noon else, I will be having a carryover.
She pitied me and ordered that my account should be unfrozen after showing her my school documents.
I rushed back to school, made the payment, and luckily for me, they were just about thirty minutes gone with the paper. I was able to catch up with the exam and I finished with a second-class upper despite the challenges.
I was happy my condition didn't make me get a carryover. It could have been worse because I don't know how I was going to pay for an extra year when the normal year didn't even go well.
My experience with the bank was one of the things that made me believe in crypto changing the world when I discovered it.
I wouldn't have a situation of a frozen account with my crypto as long as my coin are chilling in my private wallet. The bank issue opened my eyes to a lot of things and I don't depend completely on banks except that's the only option left for me.
