Medical Student Drops Out of UNILORIN After 10 Years | See What Happens Next

Mansur Akolade Ismaila, a first class graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Nigeria, shared his ordeal after spending ten years in University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Medical school only to drop out two weeks to the final exam. He praised him mom, calling her his greatest supporter and number 1 fan, because she stood by him through it all.

In an interview with Punch, Ismaila, who just graduated with a GPA of  4.59, with his degree in Mass Communications, had this to share:

Why did you drop out of medical school?

“I was originally pressured into studying Medicine by my father. But he made an innocuous, and I must say, a well-intentioned error. Unfortunately, I was quite brilliant in secondary school and I didn’t fail badly enough to send warning signals then. Trouble only started in the second year of MBBS. Unfortunately again, I had zero interest in medicine, and very strong feelings for the news, the media, reading and public speaking. I dropped out of medicine because I could not take it no more. It was killing me, it turned me into a sad, depressed man and a perpetual failure. Essentially, I spent the 10 years studying medicine and discovering myself. The experience subconsciously prepared me for a new life of success in Mass Communication.”

Can you share some of your experiences at UNILORIN?

“UNILORIN was hellish for me. I never wanted to become a medical doctor in the first place. While I was at the institution, the course was made unbearable, and I think unnecessarily difficult then. Tens of us were failing and repeating serially, and several colleagues were withdrawn in shocking circumstances; some at 500 level and even final year! But I was different, in that, despite the fact that I repeated 200, 300, 500 and 600 levels and spent a total 10 years instead of six years at the UNILORIN Medical School, I really never wanted to become a doctor. My heart was always somewhere else, in journalism or law. I chose journalism after I voluntarily withdrew from medical school in my 10th year, that was two weeks to my second attempt at the final MBBS exams.

What are the lessons you learnt from your ordeal?

“Many lessons. And I’ve decided to spend the rest of my life teaching those lessons to parents and their children. Firstly, parents need to listen to their kids concerning their ambitions. Parents should not foist their own aspirations on their children, no matter the economic and social pressure. You really can’t make tons of money from a profession you hate because you had probably not do well in it in the first instance. Second, children should go the extra mile to convince their parents as to their education and career choices. If you’ve got no clear focus and ambition, you’d have no choice but to act another person’s script.”

What are the challenges you encountered before and after taking the decision to drop out of medical school?

“I had lots of antagonists, including close family and friends. Eventually, I had to stop listening to the naysayers. They all promptly ‘converted’ after my first semester exams in UNILAG, which ended with a First Class GPA; 4.67. I also had funding issues, especially at those times when my dad had not converted yet. I had to engage in petty business and my mum paid for the rest. For that, I’m eternally grateful to my mum. She is a huge reason I climbed into a First Class and stayed there till the end. Adjusting to life in the Social Sciences/Arts was also a challenge.

What are the factors responsible for your feat?

“The God factor, mentorship and guidance, focus and doggedness, broad-based teaching and support from my lecturers; my academic and cognitive maturity, harnessed from my years in medical school.”

Do you have any regret for dropping out?

“Absolutely no regrets. Absolutely none.”

How do your parents feel with your feat?

“My parents are my greatest supporters now, especially my dad. He put me under so much pressure during my project writing and I was elated. My mum is at the very top of the list of my fans. Usually, when I called her then that I’ve secured yet another First Class semester GPA, my darling mum would start dancing. I had to keep her dancing. So I had to remain on the First Class till the very end.”

What role did your parents play in your education?

“My mum was very supportive, from the very beginning of this academic gamble cum adventure. My dad was a late believer in this idea, but he eventually came around to support me too.

Advice to youths that may be experiencing the kind of challenges you faced?

Follow your passion, and convince your parents and guardians to let you. There are three ingredients to academic and career success: passion, demonstrated ability and the God factor.

Photo Credit: Punch