The Confusion of Answered Prayers
Written in 2023.
After completing my NYSC, I secured a remote tech job at a Nigerian company that provided enough income to support my basic needs. However, being someone with a forward-thinking mindset, I never envisioned staying in this job for an extended period. Upon completing my service year, pursuing a master’s degree became the next logical step.
Considering the reputation of the university I graduated from and the ambitious circle of people I associate with, we all shared a common perspective — getting a Master’s degree is the surefire path to JAPA. If someone had the financial means or was willing to take the risk of borrowing in the absence of immediate funds, it was considered a viable option.
In the last days of my undergraduate years, I made a personal commitment never to stress my parents with the financial responsibilities of my education, again. Regardless of the educational path I chose, I was determined that it wouldn’t cost my parents a dime. Hence my foremost prayer and aspiration were crystal clear. “I need a Post-graduate Scholarship”.
During the day, I diligently worked on my remote job responsibilities, and at night, I dedicated my time to actively scouring scholarship opportunities. I crafted multiple Statements of Purpose (SOPs), cover letters, and sent cold emails, completing numerous demanding applications with the hope of securing a scholarship. With no specific country in mind, my search was extensive, resulting in a wide scope and a substantial number of applications.
The Turning point
Three months into my remote job, I found myself facing an unexpected layoff. While I was diligently searching for scholarship opportunities, I was suddenly thrust into the disheartening statistic of unemployment in Nigeria. Now, I had to embark on the quest for a new job. This situation led to my second prayer: “Father, I need a new job”.
During this challenging period, I found myself applying for scholarships during the day and job positions during the night. I understood that whichever opportunity came first had to serve as a pathway for me to leave the country, whether in the short term or long term. Like many young Nigerians seeking employment, I had rejection emails for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The constant barrage of rejection emails left me feeling drained, with the specter of Sapa looming on one side and the weight of depression on the other, eagerly waiting for me to break down.
Bold Steps
Following several rejection emails for both scholarships and jobs, I received interview invitations for both applications. Somewhat reluctantly, I applied to continue my education at my alma mater, as suggested by my Head of Department. Despite my initial hesitance, this decision would anchor me in Nigeria for an additional 1–2 years, considering that the master’s program at the university is strictly conducted in-person. However, I understood that a master’s degree would significantly ease the process of obtaining a PhD scholarship, especially given my BSc track record. Consequently, I applied for the scholarship program recommended by my HOD and underwent the interview, now awaiting their final decision.
On the job front, I received numerous interview and technical assessment invitations. Among these, one particular interview with an international organization stood out. I dedicated significant time and effort to ensure I was fully prepared to excel in answering their questions. Having completed several other interviews, I found myself with three more interview invitations from different organizations. However, I made a deliberate decision — I declined all three. Preparing for an interview is really demanding, it drains you. To complete one round of interviews and then gear up for another series was simply not feasible for me. I had to take a pass on these opportunities and hope for positive outcomes from the interviews I had already completed.
Following a series of interviews, I found myself becoming somewhat obsessed with the Gmail App on my phone. I would habitually check it every 5 minutes, anxiously refreshing the inbox in the hopes of receiving some good news. The waiting period for responses from the interviews I had attended felt mentally taxing, so I eventually took the step of uninstalling the Gmail App and opted to access my emails solely through my laptop, in an attempt to alleviate my constant worries.
During the last days of September, I got an email, It was the scholarship program I had applied to, informing me that I had been granted a full scholarship to study in my alma mata. This scholarship encompassed full tuition coverage and even included a monthly stipend of about $70. It felt like a double blessing, combining the relief of a scholarship with the financial support necessary to sustain myself during my studies. With this positive news in hand, I held onto it while patiently awaiting any responses from the companies I had interviewed with. About a week later, I received another email from one of the companies I applied to… It was a rejection Letter.
The Dilemma
It was on October 2nd when an email arrived with the subject line “OFFER LETTER.” It was a moment to recall the international organization I had interviewed with. They were highly impressed with the technical assessment I had completed, and I emerged as their top choice among all the candidates who had applied. The offer included a fully funded trip to their headquarters in Switzerland and other juicy bonuses. Unlike my previous role, this new position required me to be physically present at the office. This email moved me to tears.
Both of my prayer requests have been granted, and I now face a decision that needs to be made before the end of November. If you found yourself in this situation, which option would you choose? I’m eagerly awaiting your insights and recommendations in the comments.
