How resilience and determination led a woman to write WAEC at 50

A Nigerian woman has defied all odds and returned to school to sit the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), thereby fulfilling her lifelong dream.

Olúwáférànmi Adéyemo, the woman’s son, speaking under his official pseudonym @FeranmiFerary, recounted how his mother circumvented societal restrictions by going back to school in her 50s to acquire the skills she needed for her career advancement.

“My mother defied all adversities and went back to school at well over 50 years of age because the state government does not promote nurses without a bachelor’s degree beyond the 14th grade/level.”

Adeyemo said in his report that his mother had to re-sit her WAEC examinations due to the government’s policy of not promoting nursing staff without a qualification beyond Level 14.

“I still remember how much I laughed at her on the first day of her exams when I saw her in school uniform. I was so small and didn’t know that my behavior was humiliating, but she ignored me and went to her exams.

“When she started her BSc in Nursing at NOUN, many people called her Iya (old woman) and wondered what she was looking for. She stayed focused and graduated with a second class degree,” he said.

Adeyemo said his mother was inspired by the focus and determination needed to find her own path to a postgraduate degree in the United Kingdom (UK).

“In 2014, she surprised everyone when she won the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship to study MSc Healthcare Management and Leadership in the UK.

Also read: WAEC releases 2024 WASSCE results, withholds 215,267

“She has not stopped there. She is currently doing her doctorate in nursing in South Africa and is a lecturer in nursing, although she is already a retired nurse,” he noted.

He described his mother as his greatest role model and inspiration in his life.

“She is my biggest role model and thanks to her I am always on my toes and encouraged to never give up. It was because of her that I went to a private university because she couldn’t stand the fact that I spent three years at home applying for admission and doing nothing.

Thanks to her, I also won the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship for my second Masters degree in 2020. I am motivated to do my PhD because I know if she can do it, I will also be able to do my PhD,” said Adeyemo.

Cabosh Ayorinde described Adeyemo’s mother’s success as exhilarating and inspiring.

“This is heartwarming to hear and I feel very inspired by your mother’s incredible statement to go back to school. She is truly my hero in 2024.”

“If I have the great privilege, I would also like to meet her in person. I am so inspired at the moment,” he said.

Speaking about the impact of Adeyemo’s statement, Vaya @VCDLagos said: “Your mother’s story inspired me to go back to college for my PhD. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. But I felt I was too old. Thank you for sharing her story, God bless you always.”

Abimbola Gift praised her attitude towards education and her encouragement during her school days.

“She was my lecturer and project manager. I remember her telling us to graduate right after nursing school.

“Aside from her academic excellence, she is a great mother. She has given us nothing but love and care. She is one of my favorites. She is an amazing woman,” she said.