A first-class law graduate of the University of Oyo in 2020, Yusuf Olalere, narrated how he nearly lost his position at the prestigious University of Oxford in London because he was unable to pay his tuition fees.
Olalere stated that he was promised financial support from the Oyo State government after graduating from the Nigerian Law School, where he also emerged as the best-graduating student in 2020, garnering 12 different academic achievement awards.
Olalere shared a part of his experience while soliciting for funds to complete his tuition payment on the popular crowdfunding platform, Go Fund Me.
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He explained that being someone from a humble background, he only decided to accept his admission into Oxford to study for a Master’s degree (MSc) in Law and Finance because of the financial support he was promised by the Oyo State government after his outstanding academic performance upon graduating from the Nigerian Law School.
He was seeking 7000 pounds to complete his tuition fees and as of the time of filing this report, Olalere had already surpassed his goal, having received about 7,250 pounds with more than 200 donors.
“Dear All, My name is Yusuf Olalere. I sincerely apologise for doing this but I am in desperate need of help, and I sincerely don’t know where else to turn.
“As a young man from a humble background, I have been struggling to pay my tuition at the University of Oxford since I started my programme. I took a leap of faith to come study at Oxford, relying on the support promised to me by the Oyo State Government for my academic achievements – given my emergence as the Overall Best Graduating Student from the Nigerian Law School in 2020.
“However, owing to the bureaucratic governance process, and current electioneering process in Nigeria, it has been very difficult to get them to fulfill their commitment, whereas the deadline for the completion of my fees has since passed. I have sold all my savings and assets and received only partial financial support from the Oxford Law Faculty,” he said.
He added that the University recently confirmed to him that he would have to forfeit his place there if he was unable to come up with the tuition balance by the end of the week.
“Despite my best efforts, I still have 7,000 Pounds left to pay. And now, my worst fears have been confirmed: the University has threatened to suspend my studies if I cannot pay in full by the end of this week.
“I have poured my heart and soul into this journey, working tirelessly to get where I am today, but it seems like all my efforts will go to waste if I cannot come up with the funds I need to continue. That’s why I am reaching out to you in hopes and in confidence that you may be able to offer some assistance.
“It is never my intent to cause any discomfort or to exploit your generosity. However, this situation is tight and heart-wrenching, and discontinuing my studies at this time would not only have a permanent impact on my self-esteem but also negatively affect my lifelong aspiration.
“If anyone can help me, it’s you. With your philanthropic intentions and kind assistance, I will make it through this difficult time. I promise to work even harder to repay your kindness in the future.
“I am very sorry to burden you with my troubles – amid tight economic conditions, but I am out of options. I am doing this with all the hope and desperation in my heart, praying that you will find it in your heart to help me,” Olalere said.
Now that Olalere’s crowdfunding effort has been successful, however, he will no longer have to lose his admission and will be able to pay off the tuition fees in full.
Olalere was first admitted into the University of Ibadan to study History, before he transferred to the Department of Law, all while maintaining a stellar CGPA. He eventually graduated as the overall best graduating male student of the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan in 2020.
He attributed his success to God, encouragement from his parents, hard work, and like-minded friends. He received a number of awards from the University including, the Vice-Chancellor Prize for First Class Students, the prize for Overall Best Graduating Male Student of the Faculty of Law, and the Senate of the University of Ibadan Prize for Overall Best Student in the Department of Public Law, among others.
This was all before he began his journey at the Nigerian Law School, where he was the overall best-graduating student there. He also won several awards there including, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola G.C.O.N Award for the Overall Best Graduating Student in the Nigerian Law School, Dr. Taslim Elias G.C.O.N. SAN Award for the Overall Best Graduating Student in the Nigerian Law School, Honourable Justice Sylvanus Ayere Award for the Most Promising Graduating Student, Sir Danley Alexander K. B. E. Award for the Overall Best Student in Property Law Practice, Sir Lionel Brett K.B.E, Award for the Overall Best Student in Criminal Litigation among others.