Lead City University Graduate Who Wrote UTME 8 Times Inspires Many
A graduate of Lead City University has touched the hearts of many online after sharing her remarkable story of perseverance. Opeyemi Ajayi, who wrote the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) eight times before finally gaining university admission, recently graduated with a first-class degree in Psychology.
The Long Road to University Admission
In a heartfelt post on LinkedIn, Ajayi revealed that her journey to university took seven years and two months of waiting. She described how she spent approximately six to eight months at home each year, year after year, without a clear path forward. "I wrote JAMB eight times. This is what nobody tells you about winning," she wrote.
Despite the numerous attempts, Ajayi explained that her final JAMB attempt was ironically the one for which she felt least prepared. "The last time I wrote JAMB was the most unprepared I had ever been. But we thank God," she shared, highlighting how that particular result ultimately secured her admission to Lead City University.
A First-Class Achievement After Years of Struggle
Ajayi graduated just 52 days before sharing her story, achieving a first-class degree in Psychology. She emphasized that while some might view this as a small accomplishment, for her it represented years of perseverance through difficult times. "It represents seven years and two months of waiting to get into university, about six to eight months of being at home, year after year," she explained.
The graduate reflected on the emotional toll of her journey, mentioning "sleepless nights, pillows soaked with tears, endless overthinking, and moments when I genuinely questioned whether my life was worth living." Despite these challenges, she maintained her determination to succeed academically.
The Importance of Celebrating Achievements
One of the key messages in Ajayi's story centers on the importance of acknowledging and celebrating personal victories. She observed that in today's fast-paced world, people often move quickly from one achievement to the next without properly appreciating their accomplishments. "We rarely sit with our wins. We complete one milestone and immediately start chasing the next big thing," she noted.
Ajayi admitted that she herself had fallen into this pattern, not allowing herself to fully appreciate her graduation achievement before moving on to planning her next steps. "I did not allow myself to truly bask in the growth. I did not spend time thanking God for something that cost me years," she confessed.
Future Plans and Continuing Education
Despite the delays in her undergraduate journey, Ajayi has already secured admission for further studies. She revealed plans to pursue a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in Military Psychology, beginning just one month after her undergraduate graduation.
This rapid transition prompted reflection on her journey and the importance of gratitude. "In a conversation with a friend, I was forced to confront how far God has brought me. And it broke my heart to realise how easily I brushed past such a huge blessing," she shared.
A Message of Inspiration and Reflection
Ajayi concluded her story with a powerful message encouraging others to pause and appreciate their achievements. She asked readers to consider: "What is a win you did not fully celebrate? What prayer did God answer that you moved on from too quickly? If you paused today, what would you thank God for?"
Her story has resonated with many who face similar challenges in their educational journeys, particularly in Nigeria where university admission competition remains intense. Ajayi's experience highlights both the difficulties many Nigerian students encounter with the UTME system and the potential for perseverance to lead to remarkable academic success.
The graduate's decision to share her story publicly serves as inspiration to others facing educational obstacles, demonstrating that repeated setbacks do not necessarily determine ultimate outcomes. Her journey from eight UTME attempts to a first-class degree and immediate graduate school admission offers hope to students experiencing similar challenges in their pursuit of higher education.
