Nigerian Lady's Perseverance Leads to University Admission After Four UTME Attempts
A young Nigerian lady has become an internet sensation after celebrating her long-awaited matriculation into university, following four attempts at the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the successful establishment of her own business ventures.
From Academic Setbacks to Entrepreneurial Success
The determined student, identified on TikTok as @humblequeensavage, shared her detailed academic journey since completing secondary school in 2021. In a heartfelt video that quickly went viral, she outlined her timeline of challenges and achievements.
"2021 WAEC, 2021 First JAMB," she began, explaining her initial attempts. "2022: Second JAMB, system went off few minutes to end exams and refused to turn on." Technical difficulties during her second attempt added to her frustrations.
Her third attempt in 2023 brought mixed results. "2023: Third jamb, got admission to study my dream course but no funds to pay for my school fees," she revealed, highlighting the financial barriers that prevented her from accepting that admission offer.
Business Ventures Pave the Way
Rather than giving up, the resilient lady turned to entrepreneurship. "2023: opened my first shop and started doing clothing business," she shared. Her entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop there.
In 2024, she expanded her skillset by learning lash extensions and frontal installations, earning certificates in both areas. "I bagged the both certificates and opened my second store," she proudly announced.
Her persistence finally paid off when she wrote the UTME for the fourth time in 2024. "2024 4th jamb, got admission, see who just got matriculated," she declared triumphantly. "It can only be delayed but can never be denied," she added, encapsulating her journey's theme.
Social Media Reactions and Shared Experiences
The lady's story resonated deeply across social media platforms, triggering an outpouring of congratulations and shared experiences from Nigerians facing similar educational challenges.
One user named blessing commented: "am 22 and just want to write jamb hope am not late I feel somehow atimes buh I really want to go to school."
Another user, Be~be, shared their own lengthy struggle: "Me wey write waec since 2021 I never still get admission up till now and I've been writing jamb since then. 2023 I got admitted in a nursing school after 2 year of schooling there, rumor has it that the school wasn't accredited under nursing council, guess what???... I registered for another jamb this year ..My story longgggg."
Painkiller added: "Me I wrote waec since 2018 no money then to go to university I now decided to write jamb 2024 no admission trying again this year I pray for God to help me this year."
Foyinsolami recounted a different path: "I wrote jamb in 2020 gained admission to a school in Cotonou I graduated 2024, guess what? The school wasn't accredited to serve na once I just face my tailor work. I'm now in a fashion academy, if school no work fashion academy go work. success ahead for me."
Chidubem offered hope to others: "I wrote jamb four times (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022), But guess who's graduating this year, class 2026."
Broader Context of Nigerian Educational Challenges
This inspiring story comes amid ongoing discussions about educational access and quality in Nigeria. Many students face multiple barriers including:
- Technical issues during UTME examinations
- Financial constraints preventing acceptance of admission offers
- Accreditation problems with educational institutions
- Extended timelines for completing educational goals
The lady's success demonstrates how combining academic perseverance with entrepreneurial initiative can create alternative pathways to achievement. Her journey from multiple UTME attempts to business ownership and finally university admission serves as an encouraging example for Nigerian youth navigating similar challenges.
Her story has sparked important conversations about educational resilience and the value of developing multiple skills while pursuing academic goals. As she begins her studies at David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, her experience continues to inspire others facing educational obstacles across Nigeria.
