Somehow, my then boss, Teju Abisoye, came across the same application link I had discarded and forwarded it to me. I replied that I had already seen it, but I simply couldn’t reconcile the cost with my budget . She encouraged me to reconsider, assuring me that the office would explore ways to support.
And that was how I began part-funded by the office (through my training budget) and the other half covered by my savings and salary.
There were many curveballs along the way, including the closure of the Form A window to purchase FX. I remember being declined by Stanbic IBTC because I couldn’t provide a recent invoice, while the institution only issued invoices at the beginning. I had to resort to the black market, and then faced another challenge when the exchange rate skyrocketed following the unification of the forex window by PBAT. My naira cost more than tripled, and I almost quit. But whenever I reflected on how far I had come, I found the courage to keep going.
Yesterday, I was restless from morning until 3:00 p.m. (Nigeria time), when I had to defend my DBA thesis. At around 4:12 p.m., I was congratulated, I had earned my Doctorate in Business Administration.
What looked like a pipe dream in 2022 has become a reality today, through the help of God and the support of the wonderful people He placed around me. I am deeply grateful to everyone who played a role in this journey.
A friend even sold euros to me at a highly subsidised rate when he could have sold them at the black market rate. The same friend helped save my life when I caught pneumonia on a train ride from Milan to Paris in 2022, bringing medication to my apartment on the outskirts of Paris. He and his dear wife (a former colleague) also hosted me to a delicious meal and showed me around Paris. I cannot fully express all they did for me. Thank you so much, Taiwo and Bunmi Bamiduro.
Hanif Eko, thank you for your help with my data analysis. Dr. Funke Medun, my friend and sister, thank you for your guidance, having successfully walked this path before me. Ilemobayo Oladimeji, I will not forget your seed of love, it helped immensely. God bless you, bro.
To my beloved, my children, and my family members, thank you for your patience and support during those long nights of studying, when I asked not to be disturbed.
This is only the beginning of another phase, because there are still many more heights to scale by the grace of God.
To you reading this: don’t let your dream scare you. Start with one step, then another. Before you know it, you will have accomplished it.
Have a wonderful day.
Cheers!
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adewumioni 