By Prosper Mene
In a remarkable tale of perseverance and determination, a young Nigerian woman named Esther has triumphed over repeated academic setbacks to become a Registered Nurse at the prestigious University of Ibadan (UI).
Esther, known on X (formerly Twitter) as @itses_ther, recently shared her seven-year journey, highlighting how she sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME, also known as JAMB) five times before securing admission to study Nursing at UI in 2019.
In a heartfelt post reacting to a viral call for “growth” photos, Esther posted side-by-side images from 2019 and 2026, writing:
“2019 vs 2026. I wrote JAMB 5 times. Every single time, I missed the University of Ibadan Nursing cut-off mark by just 1 or 3 marks. Today, Iโm a final year student at the University of Ibadan and also a Registered Nurse. Thank God for growth.”
Her story underscores the intense competition for Nursing at UI, where cut-off marks are notoriously high. Despite narrowly missing the target multiple times, Esther refused to give up, rewriting the exam until she finally gained admission. She has since completed her clinical requirements and was officially inducted as a Registered Nurse.
The post quickly went viral, drawing widespread admiration and congratulations from social media users who praised her resilience.
Reactions to Esther’s Success Story
@Beautyugo1: “This is awesome. I’m glad you didn’t give up. Congratulations Esther.”
@thefiola_: “Iโm so happy for youโฆ. Congratulations, you shall graduate well.”
@Justin176798381: “No this isnโt growth, but a success story.”
Many commenters described her achievement as motivational, especially for students facing repeated failures in entrance examinations.
Esther’s story comes at a time when the University of Ibadan recently inducted dozens of nursing graduates amid concerns over healthcare workforce challenges in Nigeria. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that persistence can overcome significant obstacles.
As she enters her final year, Esther’s experience is expected to inspire thousands of young Nigerians chasing their dreams in competitive fields like medicine and nursing.
