Inspiring Story of Woman Who Took WAEC in Her 50s Now Pursuing a PhD in Nursing Abroad

A man shares the inspiring story of his mother, who completed her WAEC exams in her 50s, earned multiple nursing degrees, and is now pursuing a PhD, serving as his greatest role model.

A man shares the inspiring journey of his mother, who completed her WAEC exams in her 50s, earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing, and is now pursuing a PhD in the field.

The story was posted on Twitter by @FeranmiFerary in response to a tweet that encouraged users to brag about their mothers.

According to @FeranmiFerary, his mother decided to take the WAEC exams after realizing she couldn’t advance in her career without further qualifications. Despite being in her 50s, she passed the exams, enrolled in a nursing program, and eventually earned both a BSc and a master’s degree.

He shared that she is now close to completing her doctorate in nursing.

Her perseverance continues to inspire him.

He wrote:

“My mum defied the odds and went back to school in her 50s because the state government wouldn’t promote nurses beyond grade/level 14 without a BSc degree.

She returned to take the WAEC exams, and I still remember laughing at her in her school uniform on the first day of the exams. I was too young to understand how discouraging that was, but she ignored me and remained focused.

During her BSc program at NOUN, many people called her ‘Iya’ (old woman) and questioned her decision to go back to school, but she stayed determined and graduated with a second class upper division.

In 2014, she shocked everyone by winning the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship to study for an MSc in Healthcare Management and Leadership in the UK. She didn’t stop there—she’s now completing her PhD in Nursing in South Africa and is also a lecturer in Nursing, despite being a retired nurse.

She is my greatest role model, constantly motivating me to push forward. Because of her, I attended a private university instead of waiting at home for years to get admission. Because of her, I also won the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship in 2020 for my second master’s degree. And because of her, I am driven to complete my PhD, knowing that if she can achieve this, I can too.”