How I sponsored myself through school selling moin moin — 27-year-old graduate

How I sponsored myself through school selling moin moin — 27-year-old graduate

Olaleye Adigun, who financed his tertiary education through the sale of Moin-moin, tells TEMITOPE ADETUNJI what prompted his decision to venture into the business

Could you describe your family?

My name is Olaleye Afeez, also known as Mc Oropo. I am 27 years old, and I graduated from Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa, Oyo State.

I have two older brothers, two younger brothers, and our parents. I am the third child. I am a native of Ibadan, where I was born and raised.

What motivated you to start selling Moin-moin to fund your education?

Let me begin by saying that I finished secondary school in 2013. Unfortunately, I couldn’t sit for WAEC that year. In 2015, I took NECO, but I got a D7 in mathematics, which made it difficult for me to get admitted to any school, finally, in 2016, I registered for WAEC.

It took me three years after finishing secondary school to complete this step. I had to return to a secondary school in Ibadan, wAhere I wore a uniform again and sat with the SSS3 students to take my WAEC exams.

It wasn’t until 2016 that I completed my WAEC. Then, I started the admission process. None of my four brothers is educated, and my parents did not have the opportunity to attend school. There are no graduates in my family.

When did you get admission?

I gained admission in 2016, and I informed my parents about it. It was my mum who paid for my WAEC exams. It was my parents who covered the expenses.

I shared the desire to pursue education with my mum and dad, and she was very supportive. She expressed her readiness to back my decision.

However, upon entering school, I pondered whether I should constantly rely on my parents. Although I would call them regularly, I didn’t want to burden them with my needs because they also had my brothers to support.

I So how did you meet your wife?

She was an O’ level holder and her parents are old so she couldn’t further her education. We met on Facebook, we met in 2017, and she runs a POS business.

At what point did you realise that you were going to get married to her?

After my NYSC.

When did you get married, and how do you feel about getting married?

We got married on February 22nd this year. I feel much more fulfilled marrying my wife. She has been there for me through thick and thin, always supporting and encouraging me. Her presence and support make me very happy, and I am grateful to have her by my side

In light of your current unemployment status, what strategies do you have in mind to take care of your family?

I What were the challenges you faced while trying to juggle business with school?

To be honest, it was not easy at all. Balancing schoolwork and running a business was very challenging. There were many late nights and early mornings. Sometimes, I felt very stressed and tired. I had to learn how to manage my time very well. I missed out on some social activities and had to make a lot of sacrifices. However, I am grateful to God because, in the end, I was able to achieve my goals.

What are you most grateful to God for?

I’m grateful that I became a graduate in my family and I’m able to get to where I am.