Anietie Ebeme, a 37-year-old master’s student at the University of Lagos who relies on his tricycle business to support himself and his studies, talks to GODFREY GEORGE about his path.
Introduce yourself, please.
Anietie Ebieme is my name. I’m from Akwa Ibom State’s Mbo Local Government Area. In my 35th year. Even though I am a Master’s student at the University of Lagos, I make a living as a commercial trike driver.
When did you first arrive in Lagos?
I’ve spent the last 16 years or so in Lagos. Since I’ve been here, life has been really difficult for me, but I don’t like to look at it that way. I continue to struggle because life is unfair, hoping that one day,it will be better.
What schools did you attend?
I went to the Federal College of Education, Lagos, for my National Certificate in Education, where I studied Accounting Education. I then moved on to study Business Education as my first degree in UNILAG. I graduated with Second Class (Upper Division) in 2020. I couldn’t go for the national youths service because of my age, so I was exempted. I have been the one sponsoring myself through school for as long as I can remember.
When did you start riding tricycle commercially?
Right from FCE, Lagos. I have always been a working student, and the journey has not been an easy one. I lost my parents long ago, so it has been from one hell story to another. When I was in UNILAG for my first degree, I almost dropped out because the stress on me was something else. I was into laundry services but it wasn’t enough to care for all my needs in school. I was still begging to survive, so I had to go into keke riding. At that time, I was doing it for someone on a part-time basis. It got to a point when I knew I couldn’t cope again, and I began to save. I saved up a little income and got mine on hired purchase.