“I’d not like to produce brilliant students without moral integrity” – Oluwaseun Ajewumi, Founder of TBOSE Tutorial

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For over six years, “A Soldier That Sweats Profusely During Training Will Bleed Less During Battle” has been the motto that drives a leading tutorial centre in Ibadan in its effort and mission to raise the next generation of scholars desiring to get university admission into their desired courses by offering them UTME & PUTME preparatory classes.

In this exclusive interview with News Round The Clock, Oluwaseun Ajewumi, the founder and lead tutor of TBOSE Tutorial – The Base Of Science Education Tutorial (also popularly known as TBOSE TUTORS) shared what made him establish the tutorial and his challenges, lessons, and experiences in education, teaching, and learning in Nigeria.

NRTC: Can you tell us what made you establish TBOSE Tutorial?

OA: I can still remember vividly on the 22nd of February, 2018, I sat down and thought about starting TBOSE TUTORS. After teaching for more than ten years in different tutorials, I was convinced that it was time to start. I knew I had gained enough experience and ability to help students in scaling through the hurdle of admission into universities.

NRTC: What challenges did you have building TBOSE Tutors in the early years?

OA: Well, one thing is to have the ability another thing is for people to know your ability. The beginning as usual was small but the growth was rapid. The intention was clear from the beginning and God made it a rapid increase because he has his hand over it. I started when God said it was time to start.

NRTC: I’m sure you have competitors. What are you doing so differently, so uniquely from your competitors as regards teaching and education?

OA: I believe in healthy competition. We all have a common goal which is to help the students. I actually do not bother since I have my personal plans and no one can have all the students. It is your network and success stories that attract people to what you do. Even those who accidentally found themselves in TBOSE later became good ambassadors preaching the tutorial.

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NRTC: Will you say what you are doing differently and uniquely has contributed to giving the students what they want – university admissions?

OA: Of course, People do similar things so it makes one predictable when you follow the norms. When you are creative and do it differently, I believe greater things will come.

NRTC: What specific strategies have you employed that led to these success stories?

OA: Just two things; God factor and Human factor. Do your part effectively which involves using qualified teachers & students reading always and involving God as a backup in case our efforts are not enough.

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NRTC: So then, in what instances have you ever felt burdened when some students do not get university admission or their desired course?

OA: You see it is something that happens every year. My belief is that God does not answer all prayers immediately and we all can’t make it at the same time. It is a mixed feeling for me yearly because some hit it once, some almost hit it and some are way off it but I have seen great comebacks and I’ve seen even greater things from students I least expect much from. I only know everyone will eventually be in.

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NRTC: Aside from teaching and learning, are there any extracurricular activities that your students engage in?

OA: We go on excursions. We have been to UI Zoological Garden & Agodi Garden. Life is actually more than books. We even engage in motivational talks as some groups like AGAH & ASIDO foundation occasionally visit the tutorial centre to speak about mental health and others.

NRTC: In what way have these extracurricular activities impacted their learning?

OA: I’m sure there are so many things people don’t know. Some students are not doing well in their studies because they are depressed and have myriads of thoughts in their heads about the future. These extracurricular activities give time for them to relax a bit and see reasons to forge on as many lives depend on the outcome of their lives. They see reasons to live life and be happy doing what’s best for them.

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NRTC: Aside from teaching and learning at TBOSE Tutorial, what are you doing to build the moral behaviour of these students and entrench values in them while preparing them for university education?

OA: At TBOSE TUTORS, I don’t joke with good morals. The society has suffered a lot and I would not like to produce brilliant students who will eventually be unkind and toxic to the people around them. Students know they must respect the teachers and even know they can’t dress anyhow to class. We also have tutorial fellowship every Friday to share the word of God.

NRTC: So far, what have been your unique experiences related to education, teaching, and students’ acquisition of knowledge, especially in Nigeria?

OA: Let me say my number 1 inspiration is my dad, Mr Ajewumi I.W. He has been my teacher and mentor since my SS1. Even though he is a mathematics teacher, I studied his style and words well and these really helped me. I do tell students that being a good teacher is more than just teaching because students study the way of life of their teachers. Also, teachers must know when to teach, when to stop, when to joke, when to be serious, and how to deal with students without losing respect and without making students lose interest. Experience cannot be bought.

NRTC: Do you then believe that there are socio-economic factors or challenges affecting student’s access to quality education? If so, what do you recommend for parents, schools, stakeholders, and the Nigerian government?

OA: One problem I’ve faced in years is making all students follow at the same time and rate. It is actually a very difficult thing as students are from different backgrounds so they assimilate at different rates. Some students actually have a bad foundation in many subjects due to their environments and secondary schools. I only think at an early age, parents should let their children inculcate the habit of reading. Schools can’t teach students everything but if students can sit and read, it will be easy to cover up for their schools. Like I do say, “There is no excuse for failure .” It is our collective role to build these children till they can sustain themselves.

NRTC: So, what are your bigger goals and visions for TBOSE Tutorial and educational development in Ibadan and Nigeria as a whole?

OA: Presently we only offer UTME & PUTME preparatory classes and to the best of my knowledge, we have done really well. Also, we only concentrate on science. The plan is to make it bigger by bringing in WAEC & NECO tutorials for science students and later adding A-level preparatory classes. We are not rushing. At the appointed time, everything will come one after the other.

NRTC: And finally, what will you say about or how do you see the future of education in Nigeria?

OA: The future is bright I must confess. I have seen bright kids, great scholars, and geniuses in the past few years of the establishment of TBOSE TUTORS. I have seen that many students are not doing well because they are not exposed or guided on the right path. With what I’ve seen so far, I have no doubt in what is to happen to come. I will only advise the government to make sure the best hands handle these kids at the primary and secondary school levels. They are bright if well-taught.