Rivers State University’s 2018 Best Graduating Mass Communication Student, Oron Godswill Edwin, Now a Dispatch Rider.
Oron Godswill Edwin, who emerged as the Best Graduating Student of the Department of Mass Communication at Rivers State University (RSU) in 2018, has become a subject of discussion after it was revealed that he now works as a dispatch rider.
Once celebrated for his academic brilliance and promising future, Edwin’s story paints a vivid picture of the harsh economic realities confronting many Nigerian graduates. Despite his outstanding academic performance and the prestige that came with being the department’s top student, years after graduation, he now earns a living by delivering parcels across the city.
His story, which recently surfaced on social media, has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians. Many have expressed deep sympathy, describing the situation as a reflection of the country’s deteriorating job market and the growing unemployment crisis. Others, however, have applauded Edwin’s courage, noting that his choice to work as a dispatch rider rather than remain idle demonstrates resilience, self-reliance, and dignity in labour.
Observers say Oron’s experience is not an isolated one but rather symbolic of the struggles faced by thousands of young Nigerians who graduate with high hopes only to meet a harsh economic reality. It also raises important questions about the availability of opportunities for skilled graduates and the urgent need for policies that support youth employment.
His story serves as both an inspiration and a sobering reminder of the widening gap between academic excellence and economic survival in today’s Nigeria.
