After nearly two decades of academic perseverance, Balogun Olujide, a rat poison seller at the BRT bus terminal in Oshodi has graduated from Lagos State University (LASU).
Now 63 years old, Olujide gained admission into the Lagos State University (LASU) during the 2004/2005 academic session for a four-year degree programme but graduated in 2023.
His educational journey began with a successful WAEC examination in 1993 after spending 19 years in secondary school.
Subsequently, he gained admission to LASU for a diploma course in 1998.
Following the completion of the diploma in philosophy, he gained admission to the Department of History and International Studies through Direct Entry in the 2004/2005 academic session.
The recent graduate, who narrated his ordeal explained that the delay was due to a case of missing grade which tarry for long.
He said: “I got admission into Lagos State University in 2004 to study History and International Studies. But before then I had a diploma certificate in philosophy. It was a 2-year course.
“Having been admitted in the 2004 academic session, I was to graduate in 2008 but due to challenges relating to my results, I couldn’t and I ended up spending 19 years for a four-year degree programme. I had missing results and I was told I couldn’t graduate until issues relating to my results were resolved.
“I wrote several letters to my Head of Department at the time, who told me that my studentship had elapsed. Instead of six years maximum year for a degree programme, I had spent 12 years. So he said there was nothing he could do. This was in 2016.
“I had accepted my fate and moved on with life. I engage in all sorts of menial jobs to feed my family. I continued to sell rat poison at the Oshodi BRT terminal and assisted buyers in carrying their loads at the Oyingbo market.
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“On a fateful day at Oshodi, I saw a woman who is a senior staff member of LASU. I approached her but she couldn’t recognise me. I revisited the issues I had with my results and she offered to assist. She gave me an appointment and weeks after, a panel was set up and I was readmitted to complete my degree programme.
“The panel told me that my studentship had elapsed but they magnanimously approved three semesters for me to complete my degree programme which I completed in 2023. In all, I spent 19 years for a degree course of four years.”
Olujide was full of hope for a brighter and rewarding future when he eventually graduated from LASU with a pass in History and International studies but this was short-lived as he was rejected by employers of labour on the grounds of old age and lack of experience.
He said, “I was employed as a night guard at a private residence while hoping for a better life upon the completion of my degree programme.
“But all the companies I had written application letters to, it is either they didn’t reply or rejected me on the grounds of no experience or that I am too old to be employed. I need help because I have financial issues.
He added: “If I can be able to get financial assistance, instead of searching endlessly for a white collar, I will concentrate on producing balm ointments.
“While I was waiting to be cleared at LASU, during the waiting period, I had gone for training in the production of balm. However, production was impossible because I was constrained financially. There was nobody to support me financially.
“I am hopeful of securing a better job or a helper that will donate generously so that I will be able to produce balm in large quantities. I can be reached at 08164904710. Until then, I will continue to sell teething powder and rat poison at Oshodi. I have two children, a wife, and an aged mother. I am appealing to all Nigerians for a job or financial assistance to start a trade in the absence of a salary job.”