Former Secondary School Head Boy Narrates His Path to Becoming a Barber and Taking UTME Three Times
A Nigerian barber, who is just a few months away from graduating from university, has taken to social media to share his remarkable and inspiring story of perseverance and resilience. In a detailed post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the individual with the handle @OLUDCUTZ recounted how he wrote the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on three separate occasions after completing his secondary education.
The Struggle with UTME and Financial Hardships
According to his narrative, the barber first attempted the UTME and scored 220. Undeterred by the initial result, he made a second attempt, achieving a score of 215. However, despite these efforts, he was unable to proceed to university due to a severe lack of financial resources. This setback forced him to reconsider his options and seek alternative means to fund his academic aspirations.
"I tried university, but no one to sponsor my education," he revealed in his tweet, highlighting the common challenge faced by many Nigerian youths who aspire for higher education but are constrained by economic limitations.
Turning to Barbing as a Lifeline
Faced with this financial barrier, the barber decided to hustle and acquire a practical skill. He chose to learn haircutting, embarking on this new path in 2019 and 2020. After completing his training in 2020, he quickly established his own barbing business by 2021. This venture not only provided him with a steady income but also became the foundation for his return to academic pursuits.
The barbing business proved to be a crucial turning point, enabling him to save enough money to sponsor his education. With renewed determination, he took the UTME for the third time, scoring 210, and finally gained admission to university.
Expanding His Impact and Teaching Others
While pursuing his degree, the barber continued to grow his business, which blossomed over time. He began teaching others the skill of haircutting, mentoring several individuals who have since graduated from their own training programs. He expressed immense pride in this achievement, noting that one of his protégés graduated in 2022, and another followed in 2023.
"Now I can call myself a proud boss," he stated, emphasizing the satisfaction derived from not only improving his own life but also empowering others through skill acquisition.
Reflections on Past Achievements and Future Aspirations
In his social media post, the barber reflected on his secondary school days, where he was a brilliant student and served as the senior prefect from primary school through Senior Secondary Three (SS3). Despite the twists and turns in his journey, he remains grateful for his progress and acknowledges the role of faith and hard work in his success.
"I’m not rich yet, still figuring things out, still struggling… but I’m grateful for everything," he admitted, offering a message of motivation to others facing similar challenges. He encouraged perseverance, stating that his story should serve as an inspiration not to give up on one's dreams.
Reactions from the Online Community
The barber's story has resonated widely on social media, eliciting numerous positive reactions from internet users. Many praised his determination and celebrated his achievements.
- @Derekjaden_Sui commented, "I’m so proud of you, sir. You’ve gone far and that’s how life is… More blessing to you."
- @Philose noted, "We always get better if we accept consistent everyday growth. Congratulations to you."
- @_Vthegreat shared, "Omor it wasn’t easy bro Congratulations to you. I actually wrote 2 before I got in."
- @FineAgabus expressed, "I am so happy for you. This is a huge growth. Along the way, you've ended up lifting others with your skill."
- @vikoooo__ added, "You're doing better than 60% of Nigerians, keep it up!!!"
- @eke_gg concluded, "Never give up, time will tell. This has been a very big word of motivation."
Broader Context of UTME Challenges in Nigeria
This story echoes the experiences of many Nigerian youths who face multiple attempts at the UTME due to various obstacles, including financial constraints and academic setbacks. In related reports, other individuals have shared similar journeys, such as a fashion designer who wrote the UTME four times before gaining admission to the Nigerian Law School, and an Olabisi Onabanjo University graduate who also took the exam four times and later won an award for academic excellence.
These narratives underscore the importance of resilience, skill acquisition, and self-sponsorship in overcoming the hurdles to higher education in Nigeria. They serve as powerful testimonials to the potential for success through perseverance and practical entrepreneurship.
