The 12-Year Academic Odyssey: From Multiple UTME Attempts to Graduation
A Nigerian graduate has revealed the extraordinary story of his 12-year academic journey, marked by six Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) attempts and rejections from four universities before finally earning his degree.
Persistent Struggle for Admission
Hammed Olabanji Oluwaseyi completed secondary school in 2014 but immediately encountered the harsh realities of Nigeria's competitive university admission system. Despite consistently scoring above 200 in UTME - with his last two results being 256 and 243 - he faced repeated rejections from multiple institutions over six years.
"I never failed JAMB ever," Oluwaseyi emphasized during an interview. "I wrote it six times. I scored above 200 every single time."
The universities that rejected his applications included:
- University of Lagos
- University of Ilorin
- Osun State University
- University of Ibadan
Systemic Challenges in Nigerian Education
Oluwaseyi attributed his prolonged admission struggle to systemic issues within Nigeria's tertiary education sector. "It's the Nigerian system," he explained. "No matter how good you are, there are so many good students that won't get admission."
He highlighted the significant disparity between the number of secondary school graduates taking UTME annually and the limited capacity of Nigerian universities. "When you compare the amount of secondary school graduates that write JAMB every year and the capacity of Nigerian tertiary institutions, many students will suffer," he noted.
Reflecting on those difficult years, Oluwaseyi said, "I guess I was just unlucky... very unlucky. Or better still, a victim of the system."
The Breakthrough at OAUSTECH
The turning point came in 2019 when Oluwaseyi discovered the post-UTME form for Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) online. "I saw their post-UTME form online randomly because I was desperate," he recalled. "I couldn't go another year without admission, so I bought the form."
This decision proved transformative. "They were the ones that saved me basically," he acknowledged about the institution that finally offered him admission.
Academic Journey and Personal Milestones
Once admitted, Oluwaseyi embarked on a five-year Applied Physics program at OAUSTECH. However, academic strikes and COVID-19 disruptions extended his university stay to six years, bringing his total academic journey to twelve years from secondary school completion to graduation.
Remarkably, during his final year, Oluwaseyi achieved significant personal milestones alongside his academic success. He married his wife Anjola in November 2025 and welcomed their first child, Oladade, in December 2025, just before completing his studies.
In a heartfelt social media post, Oluwaseyi expressed his gratitude: "It took me 12 years to get here, but today I'm grateful to say I made it! I didn't just earn a B.Tech in Applied Physics. I also became a husband to Anjola and a father to Oladade. Three milestones. Three blessings."
Broader Implications for Nigerian Students
Oluwaseyi's story sheds light on the persistent challenges facing Nigerian students seeking higher education. His experience of multiple UTME attempts despite strong performance highlights the intense competition for limited university spaces across the country.
The graduate, who will turn 29 in May, now celebrates what he describes as three major life victories: academic achievement, marriage, and fatherhood. His journey serves as both a testament to personal perseverance and a commentary on the systemic issues within Nigeria's educational landscape.
As Oluwaseyi moves forward with his degree and family, his story resonates with countless Nigerian students who continue to navigate the complex and often frustrating university admission process, hoping for their own breakthrough opportunities.
