Dr. Adewale Tiamiyu, a lecturer in the Department of European Languages and Integration Studies at the University of Lagos, recently shared some interesting aspects of his life journey.
Despite his current academic achievements, he had a challenging start. He admitted that during his secondary school years, he struggled academically due to his active social life and involvement in activities like break dancing.
Tiamiyu confessed that during his time in secondary school, he was quite the socialite, having as many as 18 girlfriends, spread across various schools in Ibadan. He explained that whenever his school participated in inter-house sports events, he would try to have at least one girlfriend in each school they visited. Reflecting on his youthful antics, he attributed his poor academic performance partly to his bustling social life.
After failing his O’level examination, Tiamiyu faced a setback but didn’t let it define him. He took an unconventional path by leaving education temporarily and working as a meat seller in Cote d’Ivoire between 1990 and 1995.
However, he didn’t give up on his dreams. He returned to Nigeria in 1995 and began preparing for his GCE examinations while working as a primary school teacher in Surulere, Lagos.
His determination paid off when he passed his GCE in 1996. Subsequently, he gained admission to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, in 1997. Despite the initial setback, he eventually graduated with a First Class degree, proving to himself and others that he wasn’t a dullard, as he had once thought.
Tiamiyu also shared the story of some of his former classmates who weren’t as fortunate as he was. He mentioned one particular classmate who now works as a bricklayer at the University of Lagos.
While Tiamiyu and another classmate have pursued successful academic careers, this third classmate chose a different path. Tiamiyu expressed empathy towards his former classmate, acknowledging the disparity in their current circumstances but still encouraging him to pursue his dreams.
Reflecting on his own journey, Tiamiyu emphasized his belief in perseverance and never giving up.
He recounted how, during his master’s programme at the University of Lagos, he would often walk long distances from Ikotun to the university, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his education and personal growth.
