Beyond the Norm: Mindset of a Nigerian Student – From Survival to Growth
By Olaitan Oluwatomiwa Temiloluwa (Tommyrex)
In today’s Nigeria, being a student is more than attending classes or chasing certificates – it’s an act of survival. Many young people struggle to stay afloat amid rising tuition fees, unstable power supply, and a system that often seems indifferent to their dreams.
But beyond these challenges lies a deeper issue – the mindset of the average Nigerian student. Too many of us have unconsciously adopted a survival mentality. We read just to pass, not to understand. We go to school not because we want to grow, but because we don’t want to disappoint our parents or society. We do just enough to stay out of trouble, rarely aiming for personal excellence.
This mindset is dangerous. It limits our creativity, blinds us to opportunities, and traps us in cycles of complaint. The moment we believe life owes us success because we’re students, we lose the drive to create our own path.
From Complaint to Creativity
We often complain that the system is broken – and yes, it is. But while we complain, others are creating. While some cry about “Sapa” (financial hardship), others are learning skills, starting side hustles, and building small businesses that later become empires. The difference isn’t in background or brilliance; it’s in mindset. A creative mind sees challenges as raw materials for success. As I always say on Beyond the Norm on MAPOLY Radio 99.7 FM:
“A victim mindset will keep you locked up even when the door is open.” You can’t keep blaming government, lecturers, or parents forever. Growth begins when you take responsibility for your journey.
From Entitlement to Execution
A generation that feels entitled to success without sacrifice will never progress. Too many students believe they deserve good grades, good jobs, and good lives – simply because they are educated. But education is not entitlement; it’s empowerment. The moral truth is this: the world rewards effort, not excuses.
Every student must learn to execute – to act on ideas, to plan, to persist. Stop waiting for conditions to be perfect before you start. If you have passion, work with what you have. Greatness doesn’t come from what’s easy; it comes from what’s earned.
From “I Must Blow” to “I Must Grow”
We live in a generation obsessed with “blowing” – becoming famous, rich, or influential overnight. But what we often forget is that fame without foundation is failure in waiting. Instead of chasing fast success, chase steady growth. Learn, evolve, build discipline, and grow in silence until your work speaks. Moral growth is not measured by likes or followers; it’s measured by impact and integrity. As students, we must redefine success. It’s not just about graduating with a certificate – it’s about leaving school with character, competence, and compassion.
The Moral Message
The mindset of every young person must shift from survival to significance. Don’t live your student years just to exist; live them to evolve. Every generation faces its own kind of hardship, but those who rise are not the ones with the easiest paths – they are the ones with the strongest minds and the right morals. Discipline, humility, honesty, hard work, and faith will still open doors faster than shortcuts.
And even when life seems unfair, your consistency will always speak for you. So, as you move through school, remember this: You’re not just here to survive school. You’re here to grow beyond the norm — mentally, morally, and purposefully.
About the Writer
Olaitan Oluwatomiwa Temiloluwa, professionally known as Tommyrex, is a Mass Communication graduate and radio presenter on MAPOLY Radio 99.7 FM, where he anchors two youth-based programs – Beyond the Norm and Echoes of Fear. He writes and speaks on mindset, moral values, and youth development.
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