This article is part of Had I Known, Zikoko’s theme for September 2025, where we explore Nigerian stories of regret and the lessons learnt. Read more Had I Known stories here.
In Nigeria, choosing a university major is rarely just about passion or talent. Parental pressure, poor guidance, and myths about job prospects often push students into courses they do not love. This leads to regrets, detours, and dreams left behind. In this story, five Nigerians share their regrets about university education.
“I struggled to pass and avoid carryovers” — Archie, 22, M
I never liked my school or my course. I did not even like being a science student. But when we had to decide between the arts, sciences, and commercial subjects in SS1, everyone, including my parents and teachers, seemed to have already planned my future.
They said I would be better off doing science because art students struggle to get jobs after school. Meanwhile, my dream job was to be a lawyer or a journalist.
I was at the top of my class in many of the science subjects, but my passion still lingered. When the time came to apply for university, my parents really wanted me to choose medicine, but I chose computer science because it was the only science course that interested me.
Unfortunately, I did not get in and was instead admitted to study Statistics at Federal University, Lokoja. The first year went well, but after that, it was hell. I struggled to pass and avoid carryovers.
The only thing that kept me sane in that school was involving myself in as many social activities as I could. I even got involved in Public Relations for an upcoming artist on campus. Now, I am even considering a career along that line.
In the end, I am glad I had great friends and I finished with a satisfying grade, though it is quite far from what I envisioned at the start. My regret is not following my dream and choosing the arts. I also wish I had started my PR career much earlier.
“After school, Nigeria happened” — Emmanuel*, 32, M
I wanted to study medicine and surgery. But after two failed attempts, I was advised to choose another course. Apparently, Biochemistry is “a close cousin” to medicine, so I opted for it. I studied Biochemistry at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.
I actually loved studying Biochemistry there. It was not hard, and my lecturers were fantastic. My course mates were cool too. It has been over a decade, and I still have good communication with many of them.
I considered making the switch to medicine and surgery in my second year, but my lecturers would say biochemists can work in many different industries. But after school, Nigeria happened.
I applied to various jobs to no avail until a friend linked me with an outsourcing agency that eventually got me a position with an e-commerce company. That was how I drifted from biochemistry and ventured into logistics. I eventually did my master’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
My biggest regret is that I did not get to do medicine. I was accepted to study medicine in a private university back then, but my parents could not afford it at the time.
Now, I have my master’s and I am navigating life well enough, but once in a while, I reflect on the direction and shape my life would have taken if I had studied medicine at that private university.
“I struggled with depression and anxiety” — Demi, 21, F
University is a very crazy place, for real. I studied Botany at Lagos State University. I did not choose Botany; the Nigerian education system played its usual game. I had applied to study medicine, but I got Botany instead.
I struggled with depression and anxiety throughout. I had several panic attacks, and I self-isolated a lot. I still struggle with these feelings.
As toxic as it was, I am glad I got to experience some parts of it. I met great people and learned vital lessons about friendships.
I have the feeling that things would have turned out differently, and I would not have had such a hard time if I had studied my dream course. But we move.
“It was what my parents wanted for me” — Yewa, 24, F
My major regret is choosing medicine to begin with. I am currently in my final year at European University, Georgia, and I am just tired. Medicine is so unnecessarily long. I wish I had studied performing arts.
In secondary school, I was in the debate club, spelling club, and cultural club; I was all over the place. I used to dance, sing, and do a bit of acting. My teachers and principal advised me to study the arts, and I actually got an opportunity to do so at a university, but I did not take it.
I was very good at the sciences, too, and it was what my parents wanted for me. Also, I did not believe in myself enough to be successful at the arts. For example, I can sing, but there were so many other people in my school who could too, and I felt they were better.
I have actually found medicine quite fascinating so far. It is just too long and I feel tired. If I had studied an art major, I would have been done by now, but with medicine, graduating is just the first half of the journey.
“My heart was not in it” — Barbara*, 30, F
I wanted to study medicine, but after multiple failed attempts to gain admission, I settled for Microbiology at the University of Lagos.
My studies were not too bad, but my heart was not in it, and I had a couple of carryovers in my final year. The extra year delay was very brutal. Seeing my course mates move on while I had to come back to round up the carryovers was very difficult.
Even more difficult was finding work afterward. It was not surprising, though. Our lecturers were already telling us that most of us would end up being bank tellers. So, many of us had already started making alternative plans.
I eventually went into sales and have worked in a number of different roles since I left school. I wish I had abandoned the idea of medicine earlier. I should have given up on science altogether and studied something in commerce. I would have wasted less time and would have had better prospects now.
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NEXT READ: Had I Known: I Wish I Fought To Stay in School After Being Forced Into Marriage and Motherhood at 18
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