AFRICA | A young Nigerian man finally earns degree at UNILAG after studying for 12 years instead of 5, graduates as an Engineer and Chartered Accountant
A determined Nigerian man named Oluwasegun Olusoji-Ojelade has achieved remarkable academic success after a prolonged journey at the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Despite a five-year program extending to 12 years due to various challenges, he graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering and earned multiple professional certifications, including becoming a Chartered Accountant.
Sharing his story on LinkedIn, Oluwasegun described himself as a testament to God’s grace and resilience. He reflected on the struggles he faced, including early mistakes, academic setbacks, and delays caused by nationwide industrial actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
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In 2013, Oluwasegun began his journey to study Chemical Engineering at UNILAG. However, his inability to prioritize effectively during his initial years led to his first major academic failure, which he described as a significant blow.
Subsequently, delays from ASUU strikes and result-processing issues extended his academic timeline. Despite these challenges, Oluwasegun refused to give up and stayed committed to achieving his goals.
During this academic journey, Oluwasegun earned several notable achievements. He completed the rigorous certification process of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and obtained an Associate Accounting Technician (AAT) certification.
Oluwasegun was also inducted as a Graduate Member of both the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE).
He gained over five years of work experience across marketing, sales, supply chain, social media, and health and safety sectors in both private and government organizations. He also managed nationwide projects while working with a multinational company.
He co-founded two impactful initiatives including the JOMO Climate Change Initiative, focused on advancing environmental sustainability, and SpaceBar Africa, dedicated to promoting space science education and bridging gaps in space technology.
Oluwasegun also built Growth Deck, a thriving WhatsApp community of over 2,000 members, offering job updates and career mentorship.
He shared his story to inspire others to feel stuck or overwhelmed, emphasizing that “there is still time.” “Every step, every stumble, every delay is part of your journey. If I could rise from those challenges, so can you,” he said.
Oluwasegun expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family and friends for their unwavering support throughout his journey. “Trust God. Take one step at a time. And most importantly, CHIN UP! (A phrase that’s stayed with me, thanks to Tunde Onakoya, Esq.),” he said.
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