For many Nigerians, success is rarely a solo journey. Behind many degrees, international moves, thriving careers and comfortable lives is a parent who gave up something to make it possible. Many children do not realise the magnitude of these sacrifices until years later, when they can finally understand their value.
We asked Nigerians to share the biggest financial sacrifices their fathers made to help them get ahead. Here are their stories.
After finishing uni, I moved from Ilorin to Lagos to chase my fortune. I thought my engineering degree would open doors for me, but instead, I struggled to make ends meet. I got frustrated and decided to japa through the student route. I was admitted to a master’s program in 2022, but even though I managed to raise some of the money, I didn’t have enough to cover everything.
I had already started accepting that I wouldn’t go. I complained bitterly to my parents a few times, and my dad told me not to worry. He said that he would get the money for me. He gave me ₦20M to add to my japa funds. It was every single kobo he had saved up. That was the only reason why I was able to go to Canada and start a new life.
Whenever people talk about my success abroad, they see only the result. What they don’t see is the man who bet all he had on the possibility that I might make something of myself. I owe him everything I am today.
My father’s small printing business was what took care of my family and put me through school. When I finished university and wanted to go to law school, I told my dad I wanted a laptop by all means. I admit that I was a bit bratty about it, but I had been asking for one for the entire time I was an undergrad.
The night before I travelled to law school, my dad came home with a spanking new HP laptop. I was so happy, I almost burst. I didn’t know until much later, but he had sold one of the machines in his shop to get me the laptop. For months, he made less money because he couldn’t take on as many jobs.
When I found out, I was floored. The fact that he went to such lengths just to make me happy is something that I can’t repay. After I became a lawyer, the very first thing I saved up for was a car for my dad. I would give him the world if I could. He is my rock.
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For years, my father had dreamed of going on a religious pilgrimage to Mecca. It was one of his biggest desires.
The first year he finally had enough money to go was the same year I got admitted into a private university. Without hesitation, he redirected the funds to my schooling. I remember feeling guilty when I found out because I knew how long he had waited. But my father never made me feel like I had taken anything from him.
He eventually made the trip after I finished school, but I’ll never forget that sacrifice. I know it took a lot for him to postpone something he wanted for so long to keep me in school. I’ll always look up to him for it.
My biological father died when I was a child, and I was raised by his cousin, whom I saw as my father. I wasn’t the only distant relative who lived with his family; there were four children in addition to his own three. His wife treated us poorly, especially when he travelled for work.
Notably, she hated that he wanted all of us to go to school as if we were his children. Of all the kids who lived with his family, I was the best academically and wanted to further my studies at the university. His wife was strongly against it and threatened to pack her things and her children to her family’s house if he dared to fund me through school. To her, doing so would be taking resources away from their own children, and she wasn’t going to accept it. She said I should go and get married or start working since I had gotten my WAEC certificate.
My father put his foot down and said he would fund my education to whatever level I wanted. This issue sparked a fight so heated that our Olori Ebi had to step in before things settled down. Ultimately, my father paid for my polytechnic and university education. If not for his insistence on supporting my education, I’m not sure where I would have ended up. He’s the reason my life changed for the better.
I got expelled from the first university I attended in my third year because I was caught with weed at school. It was immature and irresponsible of me. My father was disappointed and devastated when he heard. We’d spent a lot of money putting me through private school, and I’d thrown the opportunity away.
That same year, I asked for another chance to go to school. I expected him to say no, but he supported me wholeheartedly. I wrote JAMB again and started over at another university. I was on my best behaviour this time and stayed out of trouble. I’m glad I made him proud by finishing with a first class. The fact that he was willing to risk more money after I’d already disappointed him is one of the greatest acts of faith anyone has ever shown me. I love him like crazy for it.
Their Parents’ Money Mistakes Changed Them. These Nigerians Refuse to Repeat the Pattern
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