A Nigerian woman who went to secondary school after having her last child has started her university education.

The woman, Precious Chioma Ugwoke, went back to JS3 in 2018 after she had her last child, making a strong decision to complete her secondary education.

Mrs Ugwuoke started secondary school as an adult. Photo credit: Facebook/Ugwoke Oloto Odobo.
Source: Facebook

She successfully graduated from secondary school in 2022, and she had the desire to proceed to the university.

A 70-year-old woman, Onikeoke Mabel Ayodele Ayodeji, who graduated and bagged a master’s degree, has narrated how she pulled through getting the qualification.

In her interview with BBC Yoruba, the woman said an admission officer thought she wanted to enroll her child in school when she showed up.

The woman posed for a picture in her graduation gown.Photo source: BBC Yoruba, WhatsApp/Ismail Babalola
Source: Facebook

Road to master’s degree

Ayodele said she left her town in Ondo state and came to Ibadan in 1967 because her parents could not afford to send her to school at that time.

In a video, she said after graduating “Modern 3”, and could not continue her education, with her friends leaving her behind, she became sad.

To make ends meet, she had to become a sales girl. She narrated how she suffered different maltreatment because she was working in a canteen filled with unruly men.

Teacher encouraged student to get education

The master’s degree holder stated how her teacher once commended her for performing well in an impromptu test.

In her words:

“One day, my teacher came to class when I was in Modern school and asked us to prepare for an impromptu test. After he had marked my script, he commended me and said he wished I’d become a professor by the time he returns in 10 years time.”

Those words kept pushing Ayodele to strive for better despite all odds and limited finances to sponsor her education.

On furthering her education to get a doctorate degree, the woman said she would pray to know if it was the next step.

Mother starts university at UNN

In a Facebook post, her husband, Ugwuoke Oloto Odobo, announced that his wife’s desire to proceed to the university has now come to pass.

He said his wife has matriculated at the University of Nigeria Nsuka.

He wrote:

“The journey began in September 2018 when she, with her husband, Ugwoke Oloto Odobo decided, after they had hung the boots on childbearing, that she return to school. She restarted in JSS3. Today, she had her matriculation as a Lioness in UNN, Nsukka. Congratulations to a humble and determined woman, my dear wife.”

When contacted, the woman’s husband, Ugwoke Oloto Odobo, told Legit.ng that he was happy seeing his wife matriculate. He revealed during a short chat that she is studying in the faculty of education, department of arts education (English).

His words:

“I’m elated about her progress so far. But I’m much more pleased with her humility and tenacity of purpose. Many in her shoes will not deign to return to secondary school and in a junior class to pursue education. For that, I love her greatly, and I will do everything legal to ensure she gets to any academic height she desires.”

Ugwuoke Odobo himself is currently rounding up his PhD at the same university.

Nigerians congratulate Chioma Ugwuoka

Idoko Donatus Johncross said:

“She amazes me. A very rare and thorough breed. She should be used as a role model to all women and should be encouraged by all these women activists. I believe that by the time she graduates, she should be made to go round the girl’s schools and give talks.”

Ijeoma Ugwoke said:

“Congratulations our dear wife. I pray that God will see you through your ambition.”

Sunday Areiji said:

“Congratulations! Level is gradually rising; keep it up.”

Nigerian student breaks record in Russia Medical University

In a related story, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian student who went to Russia to study medicine graduated as the valedictorian in her set.

The student, Somadila Igboanugo, studied medicine at the Rostov State Medical University in Russia, and she did excellently well.

Somadina graduated with a perfect CGPA of 5.0, an achievement that made her a record holder in the school.