Mother Sold Her Gold to Fund His Education — Nigerian Graduate Emerges with First Class Engineering Degree

A Nigerian engineering graduate, Babatunde Adewunmi, overcame severe financial hardship—including his mother selling her gold and taking loans—to rise from food insecurity, odd jobs, and repeated setbacks to graduate from the University of Ibadan with a First Class Petroleum Engineering degree (3.79/4.00 CGPA) through resilience, faith, and determination.

A resilient Nigerian graduate, Babatunde Adewunmi, has inspired many after completing his university education with a First Class degree in Petroleum Engineering, graduating with an impressive 3.79/4.00 CGPA—a feat achieved through sacrifice, faith, and relentless determination.

Babatunde’s academic journey was marked by deep financial hardship. His mother, a small-scale trader, sold her treasured gold pendant and took loans from moneylenders just to help him pay school and acceptance fees, believing strongly in her son’s potential despite their limited means.

A Childhood Shaped by Hardship and Excellence

Growing up in a struggling community, Babatunde learned early that survival often came before comfort. He recalled that his family ate whatever was available, not what they desired. Yet, his brilliance stood out from a young age—by his first year in junior secondary school, he emerged best student in 12 out of 13 subjects, a moment that brought immense pride to his mother.

While many of his peers could not continue their education beyond secondary school, Babatunde pressed on, frequently changing schools and studying under unstable conditions, determined not to abandon his dreams.

Early Academic Struggles and Persistence

After failing to secure admission to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan, he enrolled in the Daily Part-Time Programme at The Polytechnic Ibadan to study Science Laboratory Technology. During this period, his mother continued to borrow money to keep him in school—a sacrifice that deeply affected him emotionally and strengthened his resolve.

Life was extremely tough. Babatunde struggled to afford food and accommodation, trekked long distances from Apete to Ojaba just to eat, and worked as a teacher at a private academy to survive.

He later gained admission into the University of Ibadan again but could not afford the acceptance fee. His mother once more stepped in, selling her gold pendant—yet even that was not enough for him to proceed at the time.

Still, he excelled academically, graduating from the polytechnic with an Upper Credit (4.1/5.0), emerging as the best among DPP students and third overall in his class.

A Bold Switch to Engineering

Believing his potential was far greater, Babatunde saved money from tutoring Mathematics and Physics. In 2019, after earning his first ₦200,000 from lessons, he made a bold decision to transition from biological sciences to Petroleum Engineering.

He secured admission into the University of Ibadan once again—this time paying the acceptance fee himself before informing his parents. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused another major setback, during which he was scammed of his savings. Despite this crushing loss, he refused to give up.

From Bricklaying to First Class

Back in school, Babatunde squatted with friends, struggled with food insecurity, and worked as a bricklayer during his first and second years to survive. Even without scholarships, he maintained an outstanding academic record, receiving support from friends and kind helpers when necessary.

In his fourth year, he completed an industrial training placement at Alpha Oilwell Technologies Ltd, gaining valuable industry experience.

By graduation, his results spoke for themselves: over 70 A-grades across 85 courses, culminating in a First Class honours degree.

A Historic Achievement for His Family

Babatunde is the first person in his family to attend university and the first to graduate with a First Class degree.

Reflecting on his journey, he described himself as the son of a nylon seller in Ojaba and a plank seller in Bodija, expressing deep gratitude to God for carrying him through years of hardship. He attributes his success to faith, sacrifice, and divine grace, and says he looks forward to greater achievements ahead.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIP REGION