Ekiti-born agricultural graduate Taiwo Samuel Ogunleye, who received his NYSC posting letter in 2014 and headed to Iseyin, Oyo State, expecting to stay just one year, now calls the town home after more than a decade. He describes Iseyin not as a place he was posted to, but as the place that changed his life.
Arrival and Early Impressions
After completing the mandatory three-week orientation camp, Taiwo was posted to Iseyin District Grammar School for his primary assignment. Local government officials introduced corps members to Iseyin as a peaceful town with warm and accommodating people. For Taiwo, those words proved true: the friendliness of residents, the calm atmosphere, and a genuine sense of belonging made settling in easier than expected.
"Living in Iseyin never felt like living away from home," he said. "The people welcomed me and made me feel accepted from the beginning."
Transition from Corps Member to Farmer
As his service year neared its end, Taiwo decided to create an opportunity for himself rather than chase jobs elsewhere. Armed with a degree in agriculture, he ventured into farming, cultivating maize and watermelon. However, a prolonged dry spell between May and July 2015 devastated his crops, leaving him with losses instead of profits.
"The experience taught me resilience and perseverance," he said. "It helped me understand that challenges are part of the journey." Instead of giving up, he stayed.
Community Support and Belonging
One reason Taiwo found the strength to continue was the support from the community. When he needed land, members stepped in, connecting him with the right people and offering guidance and encouragement. "The kindness and encouragement I received gave me the confidence to pursue my dream," he recalled. This goodwill strengthened his connection to the town.
Taiwo also noted Iseyin's relatively stable electricity supply as a factor for future business opportunities. Combined with the welcoming residents and opportunities around him, remaining in Iseyin became a natural next step. His family fully supported his decision: "They encouraged me to pursue the opportunities I had identified."
Growth and Transformation Over 11 Years
Over the last 11 years, Taiwo has grown from a fresh graduate into a project manager involved in major agricultural development initiatives. Beyond professional success, he found community: relationships turned neighbours into friends and friends into family. "Iseyin is not just where I live," he said. "It is where I belong."
Advice for Young Nigerians
Taiwo believes his story carries an important lesson: success often begins when people step outside their comfort zones and embrace unexpected opportunities. "Opportunities exist everywhere. You only need to position yourself and be ready to take advantage of them," he said. To corps members posted to Iseyin, his advice is to keep an open mind—what looks like a temporary stop could become where dreams take shape.
He now describes Iseyin as "a land of peace, purpose and endless opportunities, where dreams can take root and flourish."
