By Ademola Adekusibe.
Lasisi Romoke Adunbarin is 25. At an age when many are still figuring out their path, she has already lived experiences that could define a lifetime. Born in Osun State, her early years were spent moving between homes. First with her grandparents, then her maternal aunt, and later with foster parents. Each place demanded she adapt, learn quickly, and carry responsibility far beyond her years.
“I came from a very humble background,” Romoke said, her voice quiet but firm. “Every home taught me something different. I learned discipline, perseverance, and how to keep going even when life felt unfair.”
Romoke maintained a strong bond with her mother. At one point, she chose to live apart to grow independently. “I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. I wanted things to get better, and I wanted to put in the work myself,” she recalls.
WHEN A DETOUR BECAME A CALLING
Romoke had long dreamed of studying Computer Engineering. When she received admission for Mathematics instead, disappointment was natural. Yet she saw a challenge rather than a setback.
“I told myself the best way to prove I deserved the course I wanted was to excel in the one I was given,” she explained. “I refused to let disappointment weigh me down. I believed something good could come from what I was studying. I wanted education to transform my life, and I worked hard to make sure it did.”
At the University of Ilorin, she studied into the quiet hours of the night. The scratch of her pen against notebook paper became a familiar sound. The hum of the ceiling fan overhead mingled with whispered prayers. Even when others doubted her or looked down on her, she continued, using each painful moment as fuel for her determination.
A NIGHT THAT SHOOK HER WORLD
Two months into her first job, Romoke faced an ordeal that would leave a permanent mark. One evening, as the sky dimmed and the city lights flickered to life, she boarded a car with three elderly men. Their faces were calm, even gentle. She believed nothing could go wrong.
Then another man joined, claiming one of the men carried bad luck that would affect everyone in the car, including their families. Romoke’s heart pounded. Every streetlight passing by cast long, moving shadows across the car. The air felt heavy, thick with tension.
“I just wanted to go home,” she said, her voice trembling. “I began to cry. They told me not to tell anyone or my blood would dry up. I had to fast, pray, and send them money. I had never handled that much money before, over eighty thousand naira, all my savings from two months of work, and it was taken from me.”
For nearly a month, Romoke lived in a haze of fear. Every ring of the phone made her jump. Every message felt like a threat. She borrowed money from friends and strangers, fasted, and prayed desperately. Even walking on the streets of Victoria Island felt dangerous, each shadow a potential threat.
Eventually, a friend noticed her distress. That intervention brought a glimmer of relief. Slowly, she repaid the money she had borrowed. The ordeal left scars, but it also revealed a depth of courage and resilience she did not know she had.
TRIUMPH OVER FEAR
After the ordeal, Romoke returned to her studies with renewed determination. Each lecture attended, each assignment completed, each late night of study became a small victory over fear and doubt.
When her final results were released, she could hardly believe them. Romoke finished Top 2 in her department and Top 3 in the entire university. The difference between her and the top student came down to a single third decimal: 4.943 against 4.944.
“Honestly, I was speechless,” she says. “It felt surreal. I am thankful to Allah and to everyone who supported me, from friends I met online to colleagues who encouraged me and even supported me financially. Every act of kindness carried me forward.”
LESSONS FROM A JOURNEY
Romoke’s story is not just about academic success. It is about endurance, faith, and integrity.
“Wherever life takes you, never compromise your dignity, humility, or self-worth. Not for anything, not for anyone,” she says.
To those who are struggling, her advice is clear: “I am so glad I never gave up on my dream, even when life gave me countless reasons and excuses to walk away. Keep going. Faith and hard work will guide you.”
CONCLUSION
Lasisi Romoke Adunbarin survived fear, deceit, and financial loss. She transformed disappointment into drive and adversity into opportunity. Today, as she graduates among the top students of the University of Ilorin, her story is a testament to courage, resilience, and quiet strength.
Her journey proves that even when life tests you in ways you never imagined, persistence, faith, and courage can create a future far brighter than fear ever promised.
