First-Class Nigerian graduate who hawks pure water for survival shares story

Sham’unu Ishaq, a first-class graduate from Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University in Katsina State, has resorted to selling sachet water on the streets to make a living, over a year after his graduation.

Despite earning top honors in his Bachelor of Science in Education, Biology, Ishaq has struggled to secure meaningful employment since completing his degree on July 5, 2023.

In a video clip circulating online, Ishaq shared his story of disappointment and hardship. He explained how his academic achievements have yet to translate into job opportunities, forcing him to become a street hawker to survive. His plight has drawn attention to the struggles faced by many graduates across Nigeria who, despite their qualifications, remain unemployed or underemployed.

“I graduated and had no job and I started hawking pure water sachets for survival,” Ishaq said, describing the challenging conditions he faces in Katsina. “Here in Katsina, there is nowhere to even do something to improve my life.”

Displaying his notification of results in the video, Ishaq explained that his daily income barely meets his basic needs. “The selling of the sachet water business is not even enough. Sometimes the only thing I do with the money is to eat from it; I can’t save anything,” he admitted.

Ishaq appealed directly to Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda, highlighting the impact of his financial struggles. “As he can see, I graduated from university with no job and poverty is even trying to kill me,” he said, mentioning the strain of meeting his family’s needs without stable income.

“This pure water hawking is the only business I relied on for survival for now,” he continued, urging support from all Nigerians. “I need help, not necessarily from the state government alone but from all Nigerians, be it south, east, north or west, I just need help.”

Emphasizing his readiness to work, Ishaq added, “I can do any kind of job.”