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| A real-life story of resilience and survival as a Nigerian polytechnic student |
I was not born into wealth, nor did I grow up with a silver spoon. Life, from the very beginning, taught me resilience. My biological parents were never truly present in my journey of survival, so I learned early how to depend on myself and find strength within.
As a child, I found joy in watching movies. I didn’t just watch them—I studied and analyzed them deeply, often losing track of hunger and time. I was a dreamer. I imagined building a world of my own, achieving great things, and becoming someone people would recognize. Those around me believed in me too. They would often say, “Mfon, you can make it happen.” That belief stayed with me.
At one point, I had dreams of getting married at the age of 20. Ironically, before I even reached that age, I had several ladies who were willing to settle down with me. But reality struck—I had nothing to offer except myself. Dreams alone were not enough.
After completing my secondary education, I aspired to study Theatre Arts at the university level. However, financial constraints and lack of sponsorship delayed that dream. I have always disliked being in the background; I wanted to be seen, heard, and recognized. But it wasn’t until I got into a tertiary institution that I fully understood my desire to stand out. There, I began to discover myself—what I loved, what I disliked, and what I truly wanted from life.
Although I eventually studied at Heritage Polytechnic, it was not my initial dream. I never imagined I would end up studying in Akwa Ibom State, my home state. Years earlier, when the institution was newly established, I had taken my JAMB there and passed excellently, but I moved on. Later, I gained admission into the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, where I spent two years pursuing my National Diploma. Unfortunately, the rigid lifestyle and strict regimentation there did not align with my beliefs. I value freedom and self-determination, and I could not thrive in such an environment. Eventually, I left.
In 2018, I made the decision to return and enroll at Heritage Polytechnic. That decision marked the true beginning of my journey.
From my very first semester in National Diploma (ND 1), I was fully committed. I attended lectures diligently and was always present—often even before the lecturers arrived. In fact, I made it a habit to go and call lecturers to class when they were late. Over time, this unusual commitment made me stand out. My lecturers noticed me, and if I didn’t show up to call them, they would ask questions.
This consistency brought me closer to both my lecturers and fellow students in the Mass Communication department. I was eventually made the class representative. After lectures, I would break down what had been taught, explaining it to my classmates in simpler terms. Students began to rely on me for clarity, and gradually, I became popular.
But popularity did not solve my biggest problem—survival.
Like many students, I struggled financially. After a long day of lectures and movement, hunger would set in. Transportation, feeding, and school fees were constant challenges. I realized I needed to think differently if I was going to survive.
That was when I discovered an opportunity.
I began writing assignments for fellow students—for a fee. It became my small but steady source of income. Interestingly, my daily prayer became, “God, let lecturers give assignments.” And they did. Thankfully, assignment culture was already strong in the school, so there was always work to do.
This hustle sustained me. It covered my feeding, transportation, and basic needs. At the same time, it pushed me to become even more serious with my studies. The more I learned, the more valuable I became to other students.
However, it was not easy.
My home was far from the school, and most days I couldn’t afford to go back. I often stayed back after lectures, searching for places to sleep close to campus so I could complete assignments before the next day. In many ways, I became temporarily homeless—but I refused to give up.
The stress didn’t matter to me anymore. I had made up my mind to succeed.
Each day, I evaluated myself: What have I achieved today? I hated wasting time because I believed I had already lost enough time in the past. That mindset kept me moving, kept me striving, and kept me focused on the bigger picture.
After completing my National Diploma, I considered slowing down. But the vision I had for my future would not let me rest. Despite having little money, I had already found a system that worked for me. With renewed determination, I proceeded to my Higher National Diploma (HND).
In the end, I survived four years at Heritage Polytechnic—not by luck alone, but through determination, creativity, and hard work. Writing assignments seminars, and research projects for others became my lifeline and my ladder.
My Advice
To anyone out there using lack of funds as an excuse to give up on education, I say this: take a bold step. Start where you are, with what you have. Time waits for no one.
If you cannot go to school immediately, learn a skill or a trade. Do not remain idle. Keep moving forward, no matter how small the steps may seem.
The future is built on what you do today. Whatever you invest now—your time, your effort, your energy—is what you will harvest tomorrow.
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