Journey of a Nigerian First-Class Graduate who became a fraudster.
Money flows into and out of people’s lives are a weekly mystery for TNT. There will be spectacular stories and there will be tough stories. These stories never fail to teach us something new.
Journey of a First-Class Graduate Who became a Fraudster. I was born to parents who struggled to make ends meet. Despite their financial hardships, my parents believed in the value of education and encouraged me to study hard. I excelled in school, often studying by candlelight late at night. My teachers were pleased by my ability and tenacity, and I quickly became the pride of my village. Despite the odds, I was awarded a scholarship to study at one of Nigeria’s premier universities.
The struggle for an education is real. University life was a mix of excitement and difficulty for me. You may imagine your colleagues from wealthier origins enjoying school life while you worked many menial jobs to support yourself. Kia! It was not easy at all. The scholarship covered my tuition, but I was responsible for my own living expenditures. See, there were days when I went without food, yet my will never faltered. In my last year, I finished with first-class honours in economics. My family and village welcomed my victory as if it were the beginning of a better life. I wish it did. The job market demonstrated a different reality.
Despite my outstanding academic record, I struggled to find work. Could you imagine? There were few opportunities, and the Nigerian labour market was oversupplied. Despite submitting multiple applications and attending numerous interviews, I consistently faced rejection. My family’s and village’s expectations weighed heavily on me. Some individuals started making fun of me, claiming that school was a hoax. As the months and years passed, despair set in. I felt like I was running out of time and alternatives. The pressure to support my family and reciprocate the kindness of people who had helped me in school became overpowering.
During my lowest point, a former classmate exposed me to internet fraud. Initially reluctant, the prospect of instant money proved too alluring to ignore. I justified my actions, believing they were a temporary solution to raise the funds required for my commercial ventures. For a while, things got better financially. I was able to send money home, and my family’s living situation improved. Regret and the fear of discovery, however, tormented me.
The illicit lifestyle was not what I had envisioned for myself, and the continual paranoia had a negative impact on my mental health.
Guess what? One day, a close encounter with the authorities served as a wake-up call. I recognised I was on a perilous path that may damage my life and my family’s reputation. Determined to alter my fate, I vowed to give up deception for good. With my small savings, I looked for acceptable ways to invest them. Real estate had always captivated me as a viable means of accumulating wealth. Despite the risks and uncertainties, I decided to enter the real estate company.
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My path into real estate was not easy. Together with the Tinubu government, I encountered a variety of obstacles, ranging from obtaining money to navigating the complexities of the property market. However, my tenacity and commercial savvy quickly paid off. I started small, flipping houses and gradually building my portfolio. I can proudly say that my ethics and hard work have won me a high reputation in the field. Over time, my real estate company flourished, and I began to reap the benefits of my labour. I was finally able to afford the good life I had always desired, but this time through legitimate means.
I never forget my roots. With my newfound success, I engaged in my community by establishing schools and offering scholarships to poor students. I became a mentor, sharing my experience to encourage others facing similar issues. My transformation from a poor country lad to a successful entrepreneur became a source of hope for many others in my community.
I feel my story demonstrates the strength of resilience and the value of honesty. While the lure of quick money led me wrong, my decision to reverse course and start a respectable business changed my life. My path proves that true success is about impact and legacy, not just money.
