In UK university degree is not for everyone – Essex graduate

What is your experience as a student in the UK? In the UK, the education system is designed in a way that it provides you with a clear guidance and structure. You are provided with a lot of support throughout, and they help you to narrow down a suitable career direction based on your areas […]

What is your experience as a student in the UK?
In the UK, the education system is designed in a way that it provides you with a clear guidance and structure. You are provided with a lot of support throughout, and they help you to narrow down a suitable career direction based on your areas of interest.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad and what should be done to improve education in Nigeria?
The disadvantage of studying abroad, for me, is that I missed my family. I am always surprised by how much bigger my siblings are whenever I see them. What I particularly like about studying in the UK is the fact that students are provided with options as to what career path they choose to pursue. They have apprenticeships, college qualifications, BTECs and other things students can strive towards if they are not necessarily keen on going to university. University is not for everyone and a lot of people go there and drop out, or get depressed as they are studying things they do not like and do not want to disappoint their parents by leaving. Therefore, university is not for everyone, especially if what they want to do in the future does not require a university degree.
Why did you choose to study financial economics and what are your dreams as an economist?
I got the opportunity to study business studies at secondary school during my GCSE’s and it was a subject which I very much enjoyed. After achieving an A grade, my business studies teacher encouraged me to study economics at A-level. And because I was studying it at the same time the 2007-08 global financial crises occurred, it allowed me to apply my studies of both microeconomics and macroeconomics to real life examples. I was intrigued by how events were unfolding, and threatening the collapse of large financial institutions that once upon a time seemed indestructible. Therefore, I chose to study financial economics to further explore this area of my own interest. I hope to keep furthering my education for as long as possible as I believe it should be everyone’s life goals to keep constantly learning. Maybe, one day, I can make my contribution to the field of economics academically or in another aspect.
Are you going back home and, if yes, what impact do you hope to make in Nigeria in view of its current socio-economic challenges?
I was lucky enough to secure a graduate programme with a top FTSE 100 company that specialises in professional and financial services. They will allow me to further my education by studying for a qualification as well as working and gaining invaluable experience of the field. As I am still not sure what area I wish to specialise in, this will be an amazing experience for me to build up experience and hopefully find out what area I am passionate about. 
I hope to go back to Nigeria and make a contribution as a philanthropist. I have always had a desire in outreach activities and to work with young people. My long life dream is to start an organisation that will aid the youth to bring their entrepreneurial ideas, talent and skills into reality. There is a high level of youth unemployment in Nigeria, and over 100 million Nigerians are living on less than one dollar a day. Not everybody has the means to acquire education that will allow them to compete for elite jobs. But I believe every single person has the capabilities and ability to aid and make a change and impact to society. Instead of waiting for a job, with the right help and guidance, they can develop their business ideas, talent or skills and develop a product, or a service that could put them on the right track to success.
How does it feel to achieve a first class degree in a reputable university in the UK?
Various students graduate from university without knowing what they are going to do next. A large number of graduates end up unemployed or work in jobs that do not require them to have a degree. I knew this could be the case for me, and I did not want that to happen. As the job market is highly competitive, I knew that to stand out as a graduate, I would have to get an exceptional degree mark whilst getting as much experience with extra-curricular activities as I can to build up my CV. Therefore, before I even started my degree, I set myself the target of working towards a first class degree and putting myself in the best position to be valuable to employers. It feels good to have achieved a target I have worked towards for the last three years, and also making my family proud in the process.
Based on your experience, what things would you advise Nigerian authorities to adopt to achieve a similar level of education that obtains in the UK?
In regards to primary and secondary schools, more attention can be provided to students learning and development. Everyone has different skills and abilities, but everyone is treated the same. In the UK, they have a higher tier exam, and a lower tier exam. Those with lower abilities that are put forward to the lower tier exam papers do not just get abandoned. They put in place an action plan that aims to find out specifically what their areas of struggles are, work with each student to try and get them up to the higher tier standard. That type of care and understanding will be very beneficial in Nigerian schools.
What recommendation or advice do you have for the government, parents and students with regards to studying abroad?
My advice to students hoping to study abroad or anywhere else for that matter, is to have a clear goal and direction of what you will need to do to achieve your goals and dreams. University is more than just the academic. There is so much to do in terms of sports, societies, jobs etc. So try and get the best out of the experience as you can as it will be over quicker than you think. Parents should be supportive of their children. The studies are very difficult, a simple phone call or a visit to students to show your support and encouragement can make a difference. My advice to the government is to work on improving the inefficiencies within Nigerian universities, so they can be well renowned and compete with some of the world’s best. If the universities are up to standards there will be no need for students to go abroad for their studies. There are many cases of lecturers and authorities abusing the right of students. Therefore, discipline needs to be installed. Funds also need to be provided to universities for research and equipment to maximise the students learning experience.