After years of financial hardship, menial jobs, entrepreneurship and the responsibilities of raising five children, Sarafadeen Abiola Ayinde, popularly known as Oiler, has graduated with a degree in Political Science from the University of Ibadan, proving that difficult beginnings do not have to determine one’s destination.
Ayinde Oiler, graduating from the prestigious University of Ibadan is more than an academic achievement. It is the fulfilment of a dream he once considered impossible and a powerful reminder that determination, resilience and faith can help rewrite even the most difficult life stories.
As he celebrates his graduation from the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, on November 12, 2026, Ayinde shared his experience on Facebook, looking back on a journey marked by poverty, survival, entrepreneurship, family responsibilities and an unwavering determination to create a better future.
His story began in circumstances where even the simplest educational materials were beyond reach.
“I was once that little boy who had to beg for an exercise book,” he recalled, describing one of the most defining experiences of his childhood.
Growing up in financial hardship, Ayinde struggled to access basic educational necessities. There were times when he had to approach people on the streets to solicit assistance to purchase an ordinary exercise book. To survive, he also engaged in various forms of menial labour, taking whatever opportunities were available.
The struggle was so intense that survival gradually became more important than schooling. Eventually, he stopped imagining himself returning to the classroom.
From the streets to entrepreneurship
With formal education seemingly behind him, Ayinde turned his attention to making a living. His journey took him into the transportation business before he ventured into the oil business, where he acquired practical experience, developed entrepreneurial skills and worked towards financial stability.
Over time, life introduced new responsibilities. He became a father and devoted considerable attention to building a sustainable livelihood for himself and his growing family.
At that point, returning to school was hardly part of his immediate plans.
However, his growing involvement in business, community development and grassroots engagements gradually changed his outlook. Interactions with people from different backgrounds exposed him to new perspectives and opportunities, prompting him to reconsider the importance of formal education.
Although his business experience had equipped him with practical knowledge, he began to appreciate that a university education could broaden his intellectual horizon, strengthen his confidence and improve his capacity to contribute meaningfully to society.
He started asking himself whether the dream of acquiring higher education was truly over. That reflection eventually produced a life-changing decision.
A second chance at education
In the 2018/2019 academic session, Ayinde returned to the classroom through the Distance Learning Centre of the University of Ibadan, enrolling to study Political Science.
It was a decision that required courage, considering the responsibilities he already carried.
Unlike a young student beginning university life without significant family obligations, Ayinde returned to school as an established businessman and father of four. Interestingly, he welcomed his fifth child while pursuing his undergraduate programme.
He also took full responsibility for financing his education, combining the demands of business, fatherhood and academic work.
The transition was not without challenges. Having spent several years away from the academic environment, he had to revisit foundational knowledge, adjust to university learning and cultivate the discipline necessary to succeed.
He attended tutorials, engaged in independent studies and developed a consistent reading habit, often studying late into the night after attending to business and family responsibilities.
For him, obtaining a degree was no longer simply about returning to school. It was about proving to himself that the opportunities he had missed as a child could still be pursued in adulthood.
Battling academic disruptions and personal challenges
Ayinde’s academic journey also coincided with significant disruptions in Nigeria’s educational system. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted normal academic activities, while the prolonged industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) further extended the academic calendar.
These developments tested the patience and commitment of students, but Ayinde remained determined to complete his programme. Whenever academic activities resumed, he returned to his studies, maintaining his focus on the ultimate goal. Beyond the academic setbacks, however, his personal life presented even more difficult circumstances.
One of the most painful experiences was the departure of the woman he had trusted and hoped to build a future with. Her departure left him with the responsibility of caring for their five children.
The experience was emotionally demanding, particularly as he had to balance the challenges of raising his children with the demands of business, community engagements and university education. Yet, rather than allow the disappointment to derail his aspirations, Ayinde chose to press forward.
His children became an important source of motivation, reminding him of the responsibility he carried to provide direction, stability and a better example for their future. Through faith, determination and perseverance, he continued pursuing his academic ambition. Turning personal struggles into a commitment to community development
Perhaps one of the most significant aspects of Ayinde’s journey is how his childhood experiences have influenced his commitment to helping others.
Having experienced firsthand the frustration of wanting an education without having the resources to pursue it, he developed a strong passion for supporting disadvantaged members of society, particularly young people.
This philosophy informed the establishment of the Oiler Foundation – Hope of the Less Privileged People.
Through the foundation, he has continued to support young people, particularly in the area of education, as well as market women and other members of the community.
For Ayinde, the initiative is more than an avenue for philanthropy. It represents a personal commitment to ensuring that other people do not have to endure the same difficulties he experienced growing up.
His childhood memory of begging for an exercise book remains a constant reminder that seemingly small acts of kindness can change the direction of someone’s life. He understands that many young people have dreams and aspirations but lack the financial resources and support necessary to pursue them. His experience has therefore strengthened his belief that supporting education is one of the most meaningful ways to invest in society.
A degree beyond the certificate
As Ayinde celebrates his graduation from the University of Ibadan, the significance of the achievement extends beyond the certificate he has earned.
For someone who once abandoned the possibility of formal education because of poverty, the degree represents a remarkable personal transformation. It also reflects the sacrifices involved in returning to school as an adult, financing his education independently, raising five children and managing business activities while navigating academic disruptions.
He acknowledges the contributions of his lecturers, academic colleagues, friends, family members and everyone who supported him throughout the journey.
But his most important message is reserved for his five children.
He hopes they will understand that circumstances should never become permanent limitations on their aspirations. His journey, he believes, should remind them that setbacks may shape a person’s experiences but do not necessarily determine their future.
He also has a message for people who have abandoned their dreams because of financial difficulties, family responsibilities, personal disappointments or the passage of time.
According to him, it is never too late to begin again, provided one has the courage, discipline and determination to pursue a meaningful goal.
The journey continues
Ayinde is careful not to portray his graduation as the completion of all his ambitions. Rather, he sees it as another beginning.
He believes that education goes beyond obtaining certificates; it provides exposure, intellectual development and opportunities for personal transformation.
His immediate achievement has strengthened his desire to acquire more knowledge, touch more lives and contribute more meaningfully to society.
Looking back at his journey, from begging strangers for an exercise book to earning a degree from one of Nigeria’s foremost universities, he considers himself deeply grateful to Almighty God.
His story is a testament to the fact that life’s circumstances can change, that education can be pursued at different stages of adulthood and that personal challenges do not have to become permanent barriers to success.
For Sarafadeen Abiola Ayinde, popularly known as Oiler, the boy who once struggled to afford an exercise book has finally earned a university degree. And perhaps the most powerful reflection of his journey is captured in his own words:
“I am not yet where I ultimately desire to be, but I am certainly not where I used to be. Alhamdulillah. To Almighty God alone be all the glory”.
