A graduate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has shared how she financed her education through tailoring, catering, teaching, and Forex trading, overcoming financial hardship to earn a first-class degree.
Chetachukwu Mmadudiukor, an Industrial Engineering graduate, revealed that limited support from home forced her to take on multiple jobs while pursuing academic excellence. In an interview with Punch, she explained that discipline and sacrifice were key to surviving university life.
Early Challenges and Course Change
Mmadudiukor switched from social sciences to sciences in SS2, inspired by her father's unrealised dream of becoming an engineer. She originally planned to study Mechanical Engineering but changed to Industrial Engineering after a low UTME score.
Adapting to science subjects became easier because she enjoyed calculations and attended tutorial classes during long vacations. However, failing a course in her first year nearly shattered her dream of a first-class degree. She said, 'I thought I would not be able to graduate with a first class. I was at the point of giving up, but I spoke with my mentor.'
Multiple Income Sources
From her first year, Mmadudiukor worked as a secondary school teacher within the university community. She also sewed clothes to support herself. Later, the demands of engineering made teaching difficult, so she focused on catering and food delivery.
'At some point, a friend and I started cooking for people for pay. We delivered cooked food. In 300-level, I started Forex trading,' she said. Balancing business with academics was exhausting, especially during periods requiring money for practical sessions and projects.
Path to First Class
Her confidence grew after recording a 5.0 GPA in her 400-level results. Regular night classes, reading groups, and encouragement from mentors and friends helped her stay focused. She also earned the award for most influential graduating female student in her faculty, thanks to her volunteer work in student leadership.
Mmadudiukor became the first person in her village and kindred to graduate with a first-class degree, a source of pride for her family. 'The experience has been wonderful, and I am grateful to God,' she said.
Background
Financial struggles delayed her university admission for years after secondary school. 'I finished secondary school in 2017/2018, but I wrote the UTME in 2020/2021 because of financial problems,' she stated.
Her story highlights resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
