A University of Lagos couple, both parents of three young children, has captured public admiration after they graduated simultaneously from the institution’s Distance Learning Institute, despite years of personal and academic hurdles.
Mr. Olawale Olulaja and his wife, Mrs. Blessing Chigozie Olulaja, crossed the graduation stage in the 2024/2025 academic session, each earning a bachelor’s degree. Olawale completed a degree in Business Administration while Blessing graduated with a degree in Accountancy. Their achievement comes after a prolonged journey marked by family responsibilities, COVID-19 disruptions, and prolonged institutional strikes.
In an interview reflecting on their shared journey, Olawale explained that although he initially enrolled in his programme earlier, delays in completing some courses meant that both he and his wife ended up graduating at the same time. “I enrolled before her. I had some references which I came to complete, that is why we are graduating at the same time,” he said.
On balancing academic work with raising children, Olawale credited mutual understanding and cooperation. “We understand ourselves. I understand her when it is time for studying, even if she is not doing certain things at home, I understand that it is due to her studying, and I did not need to get annoyed,” he said. He acknowledged that family routines sometimes shifted as a result: “There are times when the food should be ready by 6 pm, but I get it at 8 pm. That is the little challenge faced. Managing the children, too, is by God’s grace. With God, all things are possible,” he added.
Blessing’s journey began in 2018 and stretched over seven years due to factors beyond her control, including the pandemic and extended academic strikes. “DLI gave us three kids. We had the three kids in seven years. There was COVID and a long strike. I started in 2018 and was supposed to finish in 2023, but the extra two years were long strike and COVID,” she said.
She recounted moments of intense challenge, including attending classes soon after childbirth. “The last one was barely six months old when I came to class. The CS stitches were still fresh. At a point I wanted to defer, but my husband encouraged me to come back because he had to stay with the two kids at home,” she recalled. On one occasion, Blessing attended a residential programme for a full week with her baby because childcare support fell through. “The two people I called to help me did not show up. So, I spent a one-week residential program with my baby. During the exam week, somebody came. She would stay with the baby, I would go and write an exam and return to carry my baby,” she said.
Determined not to prolong her education any further, Blessing said she pushed through despite the strain. “The programme had extended for too long, and I did not want an extra year to make it eight years. I just had to bear the pain and finish once and for all,” she said.
Blessing also spoke about how she supported her husband’s completion of his programme. “We didn’t start together. He started first, but he didn’t finish his own. He had two references. I didn’t know about it till we got married,” she said. “I started mine, and it was along the line that I knew, and I urged him to complete the programme. That was what we both did last year.”
To keep up with academic expectations outside the twice-monthly classes, Blessing enrolled in personal tutorials, sacrificing weekends over the years. “School class is just twice a month, so I enrolled for personal tutorials. For the past seven years, Saturdays and Sundays have not been mine,” she said.
Looking ahead, Blessing revealed her plans to pursue professional certification with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. She also offered encouragement to others facing similar obstacles, particularly women striving to balance family life and education. “If you are waiting for a convenient time, it can never come. After one challenge, another challenge will come up. Just face your challenge, and you will survive,” she said.
Their joint graduation has been described by friends and family as a testament to sacrifice, resilience, and teamwork. The Olulajas’ story highlights the possibilities that determination and mutual support can unlock, even in the face of life’s toughest demands.
