A determined Nigerian woman named Ibukunoluwa Olanipekun has turned years of hardship into a remarkable success story after returning to school and graduating with a first-class degree in Social Work at the age of 33.
Ibukun earned her degree from Babcock University, more than a decade after she was forced to abandon her studies due to pregnancy.
Ibukun's Story and How She Did It
Ibukun began her academic journey at Kwara State Polytechnic, where she completed an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Science Laboratory Technology in 2013, graduating with an Upper Credit.
However, shortly after finishing her internship, her life took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant at 21.
The situation forced her to pause her education, and she soon faced abandonment when the child’s father left her to deal with the pregnancy alone.
Ibukun revealed that the period was extremely difficult. She experienced stigma, ridicule, and rejection, including losing her leadership roles in the church, because she became pregnant before marriage.
EXPLORE SCHOLARSHIPS
At one point, she even considered abortion, but changed her mind after visiting a clinic and feeling uncomfortable with the environment and the doctor’s approach.
Despite the challenges, she decided to keep her child and take responsibility, putting her dreams on hold to focus on motherhood. After giving birth to her son, Oluwadarasimi, Ibukun spent years trying to rebuild her life.
Between 2013 and 2020, she worked several jobs, from cleaning to teaching, just to survive and care for her child. During that time, she held tightly to the belief that her life could still turn around.
“I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life—to put everything on hold, give birth, and take care of my baby at the expense of pausing my own life,” she said.
Her turning point came in 2020, when mentors encouraged her to go back to school. They advised her to enroll in the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board programme, which would allow her to gain Direct Entry admission into the 200 level.
Despite being nearly 29 years old at the time, she accepted the challenge. She successfully passed the JUPEB programme and secured admission into Babcock University to study Social Work.
Even after returning to school, Ibukun still faced emotional and social challenges. Some younger students mocked her because of her age, calling her hurtful names such as “grandma.”
At times, the pressure nearly caused her to lose focus on her academic goal of graduating with a first class.
One of the most emotional moments of her journey came during her third year, when she called home and told her son she might not be able to finish with a first-class degree. Oluwadarasimi’s response became the motivation she needed to keep going.
“He said, ‘If I’m getting first in class, why would you not get first? You have to get first so all of us will be first together.’”
That encouragement pushed her to continue working hard. Ibukun credits much of her success to the support of her mother, sisters, and friends.
She stated that her sister even helped pay her son’s school fees while she focused on her education. “People don’t understand how easy school became for me because my family helped carry some of my responsibilities.”
Today, Ibukun says her story is proof that it is never too late to pursue education or rebuild your life. She also hopes to challenge the stigma often faced by single mothers.
“You think you’re late, but you’re not late. Nobody is checking time—the only time checker is God.”
Follow our Social Media Channels:
- WhatsApp: Scholarship Region WhatsApp
- Facebook: Scholars Region
- Twitter (X): @scholarsregion
- Telegram: Scholarship Region