A determined young man, Josiah Ayodeji Onaniyi, has achieved a remarkable breakthrough after spending 10 years working and struggling to fund his education before finally gaining admission to the University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria, where he is studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
His achievement is a powerful story of perseverance, responsibility, and unwavering belief in the possibility of a better future. Despite years of financial hardship and delayed educational opportunities, Josiah refused to abandon his dream of earning a university degree.
Josiah's Story and How He Did It
His journey began in 2016 when he graduated from secondary school with excellent results. After high school, he hoped to proceed immediately to higher education and continue building his future.
However, financial challenges stood in the way. While many of his classmates gained admission into universities, polytechnics, and pre-degree programmes, Josiah found himself unable to continue his education due to a lack of resources.
And he was faced with limited options which then left him with a difficult but necessary decision. Rather than giving up on life or abandoning his aspirations, he sought employment at a pure water factory, where he worked as a delivery assistant and laborer.
Josiah recalled that the job was physically demanding, especially for a young man of his stature, but he was determined to do whatever was necessary to survive and support his dream.
Reflecting on those years, Josiah recalled watching his peers advance academically while he spent his days delivering sachet water and working long hours.
“When my mates were going to universities and doing pre-degree programmes, I was following pure water vehicles. It was very difficult,” he remembered.
Despite the challenges, he never allowed bitterness to take root. Instead of blaming his parents or dwelling on his circumstances, he chose to take responsibility for his future.
Josiah recognized the struggles his family faced and decided that he would become part of the solution rather than complain about the problem. According to him, he constantly reminded himself that his background did not have to determine his destiny.
“I used to tell myself that even though I came from a family facing challenges, I am the solution to the family. I was not blaming my parents. I took responsibility,” he said.
For the next decade, Josiah continued working diligently while holding on to one goal: returning to school and earning a university education.
During those years, he developed resilience, learned valuable life lessons, and gradually built the mindset that would eventually carry him through one of the most difficult periods of his life.
His persistence finally paid off in 2025 when he secured admission into the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre (UIDLC) to study Sociology.
For Josiah, the admission represented far more than acceptance into a university programme, it was the fulfillment of a dream that had survived ten years of delay, hardship, and uncertainty.
Reflecting on the moment, he expressed gratitude to God for sustaining him throughout the journey. “Ten years later, I am now in the University of Ibadan. The Lord who started this good work in my life will never leave me stranded,” he said.
Yet gaining admission was only one part of the challenge. At the time of his admission, Josiah had just ₦50,000 in his account, despite needing more than ₦200,000 to begin his studies.
Many people would have postponed admission under such circumstances, but he chose to move forward in faith.
Although he had started a freelancing business providing Facebook advertising services to international clients, he explained that his confidence was not based solely on his earnings but also on his belief that opportunities would come.
After receiving his admission letter, he took it to church and prayed for divine provision for his education. Josiah stated that he specifically prayed for a scholarship or financial support that would enable him to complete his studies without interruption.
In the months that followed, he received support that helped him pay his first-semester fees. And when concerns arose about subsequent fees, additional assistance also came, strengthening his belief that his educational journey would be sustained.
Today, Josiah is in his second year at the University of Ibadan and remains committed to completing his degree successfully. Beyond celebrating his own breakthrough, he now uses his story to encourage others who may be facing setbacks, rejection, or financial difficulties.
Josiah encourages young people to keep learning new skills, continue applying for opportunities despite repeated disappointments, and refuse to allow temporary setbacks to define their future.
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