A young Nigerian man, Nwanneka Joel, has captured the attention of many after sharing his incredible transformation — from earning just ₦700 a day as a bricklaying labourer to preparing for his Call to Bar.
The story began on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) during a conversation started by user @sirjarus, who highlighted the rising wages of construction workers across Nigerian cities. He wrote:
“Site labourers? Used to be 2k per day. That’s where the ‘earned my daily 2k’ joke came from. I just called the bricklayers in our sites: Lagos – ₦10,000, Abuja – ₦7,000, Offa – ₦5,000.”
The post quickly went viral, sparking reactions from Nigerians who shared personal experiences of working in construction. Among them was Esquire Nwanneka Joel, who revealed that he once worked as a labourer during his first year in university just to pay his fees during the 2018/2019 ASUU strike.
5 Services You Might Like:
- Request Lab Setup, Repair or Upgrade
- Practice Exam Past Questions FREE
- Join your exam ongoing Live class
- Get Cheap Science Lab Equipment
- Run 150+ Chemical Analysis & Testing
In his words:
“That was me utilising the 2018/19 ASUU strike to raise my fees as a Year 1 student, because we’d have to pay when we resume. That wasn’t the last hard labour I did while in university… But today, it’s all testimony. And then this picture popped out! 😂😂😂 I was already so deep in this work. How much did I make? ₦700/day 😫.”
Joel also shared old photos of himself at the construction site, which touched many Nigerians. People praised his resilience, sacrifice, and determination to succeed despite the odds stacked against him.
Now Set for His Call to Bar
Years after those struggles, Joel is finally set to achieve a major milestone — his Call to Bar, scheduled for September 25, 2025.
His story is not just about hardship; it is a powerful reminder that perseverance, hard work, and faith can turn humble beginnings into extraordinary achievements.
For many young Nigerians, Nwanneka Joel’s journey is proof that no matter how small the start, success is possible with consistency and determination.
Credit: Allschool, Allcbt
Credit: Allschool, Allcbt
Don’t Miss These Updates:
- Federal University Wukari Schedules 2025/2026 Students Association Elections
- Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship Program 2026: Fully Funded Master’s Opportunity
- JAMB Releases 2026 UTME/DE Registration Guidelines
- Likely JAMB Economics Questions
- FUTMinna Students’ Union Warns Students Against “Neolife” Group
