The Untold Story.

I had an extraordinary intellect, even at a young age. My insatiable curiosity and thirst for knowledge knew no bounds. At school, I was the student who wore a neatly ironed uniform with creases, sat on the first row and asked a lot of questions, which most of my classmates found annoying. I was the student who always raised her hand whenever the teacher asked a question because I knew the answer or something close to it. I was the epitome of a "serious" student.

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It came as no surprise when my high school's director invited my parents over and persuaded them to let me sit for the senior school certificate examination in 11th grade rather than the usual 12th grade. "Your daughter is exceptionally bright. I see no reason why she should be forced to read in the 12th grade when I am confident she would ace the exams in the 11th grade.

Without much thought, my father replied, "If you insist, let the school pay the exam fees because you are the one who wants her to sit for the exam at grade 11."

That sealed my fate, and I sat for the exam, which was fully paid for by the school. Fortunately, I did not let my school or my father down. I passed with flying colors, much to everyone's surprise, and quickly became a resource for the rest of the school's students.

While my classmates were struggling through 12th grade, I was preparing for my Joint Admission and Matriculation Examination. This is an exam that every college graduate must take in order to gain admission to a higher education institution. I was confident I'd ace it, as I always do. I planned to study medicine and surgery, and my parents would soon be known as "Papa and Mama Doctor," which translates as "the father and mother of a doctor."

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I kept my nose to the grindstone, burning both ends of the candle. Nothing was to be left to chance. I needed to pass and get into college. It meant a lot to me, not only because of my parents but also because I didn't want my classmates, who I had left behind, to catch up with me.

The exam day arrived, and I sat for it with a smile. I was confident that I had nailed it. I was optimistic about getting the required score for medicine and surgery. The wait for the outcome seemed interminable. Finally, the results were released, and while others received an email with their results attached, I received nothing. I kept checking the mail box for days, but no response was received. I was depressed.

Because this is a yearly exam, I had to wait another year to write it. My classmates had caught up to me by this point. We all took the exam together, and once again, I awaited the results, hoping for good news, but it seemed I was dogged by bad luck. The results were made public, but mine was not among them.

Fortunately, I received a letter the third year. I rushed to open the email, but my heart sank when I saw what was inside. "Result withheld," it read. The sight of it knocked out winds from my lungs. I cried bitter and painful tears. The fourth, fifth, and sixth years went by with the same "Result withheld" email. My glimmer of hope for attending university was fading.

"Why don't you sit for PolyJamb?" My neighbor inquired after she found me sobbing beneath the stairs.

"PolyJamb?" I asked, widening my eyes. "My father will never accept that. He said all his children must attend a university. The polytechnic is inferior to the university, and Daddy will never approve," I explained.

"The polytechnic is on par with the university," she went on. "In fact, the polytechnic is ideal for vocational education. They have more practicals than the university."

"But I want to be a doctor. That is not something I can study at the polytechnic." Fresh tears welled up in my eyes, and I wiped them away with the back of my hand.

"Yes! However, biochemistry is available at the polytechnic. You can study that and then use your polytechnic diploma to pursue a degree in medicine as a direct entry student."

I looked at her after staring at the ceiling as if it were a mirror that could show me the future. "It's food for thought. I'll talk to my father about it and see what happens."

Slowly, the walls of frustration fell away, revealing a path where my brilliance could shine without the constraints of the Joint Admission and Matriculation exam, but first, I had some convincing to do, and my father can be a tough nut to crack. That evening, after dinner, I shared my thoughts with him.

"No! I will not have my daughter go to a polytechnic, and that is final."He scolded

"But Daddy! I have written this same exam for six years. This is my only opportunity to get into a higher institution. Besides! I'll still get a university degree. Consider this as a means to an end. Please Daddy! My classmates are all graduates. I am so ashamed of myself."I cried.

My father looked at me, and I could see it in his eyes that he was thinking about it. I needed to push a little harder to persuade him. Finally, he gave in. I took the exams and passed them. I was accepted to the polytechnic to study biochemistry.

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It was a five-year program with one year of industrial training. My school nominated me for a federal government scholarship program in my third year. I took the test and aced it. When he saw my name in the newspaper, my father was overjoyed. He called me and expressed his admiration for me. Not only that, but I graduated as the best student in my faculty.

Did I go on to get a university degree? Yes! I did, but in a different field.