Sometimes, life gives you a slap that wakes you with a jolt, making you scream internally and tell yourself, "I’ve got to do better." For me, that moment came in 2021 when I sat for JAMB.
After finishing, I went to a cyber café to check my results and found out I scored 180. It wasn’t a terrible score, but it wasn’t enough to get into my preferred university or the course I wanted to study. Meanwhile, my friends were celebrating their 250s, 270s, and 300s, and there I was, feeling like a failure.
The Weight of Letting Others Down
That moment hit hard. My dad, a modest charity driver, had saved every penny for my exam fee, and I felt like I had let him down. Sitting in that café, with the fan on but still sweating, I told myself I had to make it in life. That failure wasn’t just about me; it was about my family who believed in me despite the odds. The disappointment lit a fire in me, pushing me to prove I could rise above it.
Turning Failure into Fuel
Determined not to let that moment define me, I picked myself up, enrolled in lessons, and studied like my life depended on it. The next year, I smashed the JAMB with a score of 265, earning admission to the University of Ibadan to study economics. That moment of disappointment became the fuel for my success. It wasn’t just about overcoming a setback; it was about realizing I was studying for more than myself, for my family and their belief in me.
Chasing a Vision, Not Just Grades
Now, I’m not just chasing grades; I’m chasing a vision. I want to start a business that creates jobs for young people in Nigeria, a goal born from understanding the struggles of school fees, feeding, transportation, data costs, and life’s many challenges. I keep going because I know where I’m coming from. That JAMB result taught me that no matter the setbacks, with hard work, there’s always a comeback waiting.
A Message for Anyone Feeling Stuck
If you’re reading this and feeling stuck, know that your low moments are not the end of your story. Find those "I must make it" moments, let them drive you, motivate you, and inspire you toward success.
Life’s challenges, like Nigeria’s karelas, are tough, but you’re tougher. Keep pushing, because your comeback is just around the corner.
