‘I’ve Always Wanted to Study Law’ — Inside Yomsdirect’s Unusual UNILAG Journey

By Success Essien, Jacinta Ijeoma, and Barakat Lawal

There is a saying that life does not always move in straight lines. Sometimes, the road bends, stretches, and asks you to start again just when you think you are close to the end. That was the reality for Yomsdirect. 

Fatunbi Abayomi, popularly known as Yomsdirect, is a University of Lagos (UNILAG) graduate whose academic journey took an unexpected turn when he gained admission into the Law programme while still completing his degree in History and Strategic Studies.

Yomsdirect is a second-class upper graduate of Law at UNILAG, an educational consultant that is widely known among students for providing verified information to students on the happenings in UNILAG.  Over the years, he has become a trusted point of reference for students navigating university life.

Law had always been his first choice, but he did not meet the cut-off mark initially. With his dream deferred, he accepted a place in History and Strategic Studies while keeping his sights on Law. 

The long-awaited opportunity came in his final year. 

“While completing my degree in History and Strategic Studies, I gained admission into the Law programme,” he said

The moment was both exciting and challenging. Instead of walking out of university with his classmates, he now had to start over in one of the toughest courses at UNILAG, testing his determination and resilience like never before.

The contrast between the two disciplines was stark and immediate. History allowed some flexibility as he could manage reading and exam preparation with relative ease. But Law, for him, demanded discipline from the first day. Attendance was mandatory, classes were rigorous, and each course came with multiple voluminous textbooks. History and Law were entirely different disciplines, and his assumption that his previous degree would make Law easier quickly disappeared.

Delays stretched his journey further. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted academic calendars, turning what he had imagined as just a few extra years into a much longer stay at the university. While his friends graduated, started jobs, and moved on with their lives, Yomsdirect remained, navigating the rigours of Law under uncertain circumstances. He recalls that there were moments when he cried and wondered how he would manage. Family and friends provided guidance and encouragement during those times.

Year three tested his resolve with demanding courses and tough grading. Year four proved even harder, with voluminous textbooks and complex subjects. He reached out to friends and mentors for guidance. He explained that he often asked others to put him through when he felt overwhelmed, particularly during the toughest courses.

“So I would reach out to others and ask for guidance. What should I do about this? I don’t know if it’s the same elsewhere, but year three is one of those tough years. It’s one of the toughest years here as a law student,” he said.

By his final year, Yomsdirect had found his rhythm. He approached his courses with focus, managed the workload effectively, and felt a sense of control over the path he had been navigating for years. Reflecting on this period, he said that the final year was great and that he was very grateful for the outcome, adding that it was worth it.

Today, he is widely recognised for providing verified academic information to students in UNILAG. His process for ensuring accuracy involves checking the university website, consulting the DSA, relying on internal sources, and reviewing reports from top news media to avoid misinformation.

“The starting point is the university’s website. I ensure I go there whenever I see information going around. I also reach out to the DSA and get information from other sources, including internal sources and top news media,” highlighting the care he takes in verifying details before sharing them.

Drawing from his experience, Yomsdirect encouraged students to stay focused and consistent. He advises balancing academics with personal interests or business ventures, starting early, and managing time effectively. He explains that proper time management helped him succeed both academically and in business while navigating one of the toughest courses at UNILAG.

Yomsdirect’s journey is a reminder that success does not always follow a straight path. He reflects on his resilience, saying that many people have reached out to him, inspired to pursue their dream courses, and that he is grateful to God for serving as a source of motivation. For him, choosing not to give up, embracing setbacks, and staying committed turned a detour into a story of perseverance and achievement.