Farming: Alternative for Nigerian University students
By Abdulmumini Lawal
Fate of most university students in Nigeria undergoes various hiccups and calamities. Among which are: the frequent industrial actions by different Academic Unions and Non Academic Unions, probability in hike increment in school fees, uncertainty in the life itself whether one will even graduate or not, constant mutable thinking on what tomorrow might bring, and over all, the competitive race awaiting there in the labour market – life after graduation. Economic hardship is another phase of constraint students undergo towards pursuing their academic careers.
However, the aforementioned and other threats in academic space have been the main predicaments for Nigerian students and have to serve as a deterrent to one, and evolve his the perspective approach of who thinks the one and only way he can excel in life is by obtaining a degree and/or eventually securing a job (white collar one as many say). The limitation of thinking faculty in university student is expected to differ from layman’s; and so he has to admit as such.
To my brothers and sisters, preferably those from poor family backgrounds, I call upon your attention to erase the sense of thinking on when and why you will meet your desired expectations by government in academia. You have so many alternatives to make your life different; the agricultural sector is one of thousands.
Initially, citing example with my humble self and being a farmer for ten consecutive years, last year I decided to fully embark on farming activities. This was as a result of incessant ASUU strike. I personally vowed to positively utilise the time I had then. It’s during the year that I realised I knew a little or nothing among the bounties of opportunities therein. Meanwhile, my ten years experience in the field is limited. It doesn’t widen the scope of the actual number of lucrative opportunities in the farming investment. I strived alot, putting whatsoever means of effort I could, most importantly money and time in the process of achieving it.
Alas! There are so many blessings that will never meet you up openly, but will surely reach you in disguise. To me, ASUU strike was blessing in disguise to every university student, since this was coming purposely to divert from being affected by trauma of ASUU strike.
Subsequently, the outcome was so favorable. To sum it up, despite the hike price in fertilizer then, when I calculated the profit, it multiplied the capital I invested by 4 – 5 times. That’s to say, the profit reached 400 – 500%. I accomplished my dream. I have learnt alot. There’s numerous of opportunities there. Many have become what they are today not by the certs they obtained, but by those skills many university students underrate.
Moreover, today’s life keeps becoming harder everyday. Today can’t be yesterday, just like the way tomorrow can’t be today. We see new changes everyday, everywhere. It suppose to be the turn of our parents and guardians to reap from what they have been investing in. Where does our thinking go? Okay, we think they will reap after we graduate and got employed? The said uncertainty in securing job after graduation is a constant gesture. The number of unemployed graduates keeps increasing. Universities keep producing. The white collar jobs are not longer where to be found.
Meanwhile, the incessancy in government’s negligence in line with education concern, many other threats out there have nothing to do with your failure and could never be the reason behind your excellence. Whatever Allah decides for you is a blessing in disguise. It’s either you mis-use it or unknownly, left it untouched.
Conclusively, let’s wake up! Thousands of opportunities are there waiting for us. Let the cert be second priority. Strive fervently day and night. For the little chance you have, make use of it appropriately.
Wish you a better tomorrow in all your endeavours!
Abdulmumini Lawal,
A student of Mass Communication,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
You can contact him on 08036719107.
