On my way home yesterday I was listening to the radio and the topic of the day was very interesting. Wanawana was asking if studying for a master’s degree is worth it and she requested that people call to share their opinion. I would have called but …I got home and headed straight for the kitchen. I had Ila Asepo and Amala on my mind so I continued listening while I cooked.

Shebi September is the time lots of students resume school and those travelling abroad for their masters are probably packing their bags now or still waiting for their acceptance letter or applying for visa. This was me a few years ago. After I finished uni (Igbinedion University) and I finished my NYSC, I had this burning desire to do masters by fire and by force, all my friends had travelled and I felt a masters degree would greatly boost my CV (which is not a lie). How I even got into University of Birmingham was a miracle because it was so impromptu…I applied late, applied for visa late and I resumed when everyone else had resumed so I had to catch up fast!

I studied Mass Communication for my BSc so for my Masters I was told to look for something more “professional”…International Diplomacy sounds like a ghen ghen course abi? Oya oh! I jumped in. Make I nor lie…I struggled through some part of it because I had no back ground knowledge of what I came for. I don’t like politics, I don’t really enjoy discussing governance and all these things. The only part I loved was Ethics and the diplomacy course itself, the rest just flew over my brain. I looked to my classmates for support. Thank God there were about 5 Nigerians in my class: that’s where I met Dide, Amina, Bugo, Evelyn, Fae, Ploy, Windy…

In Brussels

In Class L-R Sisi, Bugo, Amina, Evelyne, Dide

All work and no play…

Gerald always knew how to make people laugh…so charismatic!

During my dissertation I was like “who send me message”…chai! I struggled! To God be the glory, I graduated with Merit and I couldn’t be prouder of myself. You see, before I went for my masters I was stigmatized because of Igbinedion University. Whenever I told anyone I had a 2:1 they would just be like “yimu, that school that they dash you grades”…it always annoyed me! They didn’t dash me grades when I was there so I never understood the backlash. I felt now with my merit from UOB nobody can gaddem claim that they dashed me. So I’ve validated myself!

Why am I telling you this long story? Because I’m trying to explain the benefits of me going for post graduate studies. Apart from the degree, I enjoyed the immense exposure I got from travelling and being in that city. I traveled from Birmingham to different places outside Britain. I enjoyed the culture.

I’ve never lived on my own and that was my first experience. UK is not my father’s palour and you have to work for what you want. I got jobs, I worked to enjoy any luxury I wanted, in addition I had good job experience which was difficult to get when I was in Nigeria. I grew up in those years I spent there. I think that was when I discovered myself, and what I love to do. I started blogging because of course I had access to the internet 24/7. I am 100% glad I went to obodo for masters.

If you’re not sure why you want to go for your masters, then you need to think about it some more. It’s a huge financial commitment and if you are struggling financially, I will just beg you to keep calm. Obodo oyibo is not bed of roses for everyone, some people leave Nigeria then go there and do security man job inside otutu (cold winter) just to get by. So think am well.

If you know you are financially capable, you know what you want out of your time there. Then go for it! Better now than late. Imagine if you’re a lady and you push it off till after marriage, it becomes harder then, what if your husband no gree? who will fund it sef? What if you get pregnant? So many questions. If you can, do it now.

A post graduate degree abroad is expensive: so think. Would it be more beneficial to you if you gather that 5 million you want to spend there and start a business in Nigeria? That’s an option you know. Another option is to do your post graduate in a Nigerian University (less expensive). If you do decide to go:

• Pick a reputable school like my University Of Birmingham (he he he),
• Stay out of debt,
• Be focused!

In conclusion, there is no right or wrong way about this. You can stay in Nigeria, without a masters degree and make it as a Don Dorobucci, or otherwise. You can travel to obodo oyinbo and it will open gates for you or otherwise.

I know a lot of Nigerians have their post graduate degree, what was your own experience like? Do you think it was worth it?

Ps. The food I was cooking last night was delicious by the way!