From Grass to Grace; From Zero to Hero — The Tale of Two Saheeds
Two childhood friends —both named Saheed—have become the embodiment of resilience, transformation, and inspiration.
Once young boys hawking pepper and bread on the streets of Ibadan, they are now prominent figures in academia and traditional leadership.
One of the Saheeds is now a full professor of Mechanical Engineering at Afe Babalola University, reputed to have been the youngest professor of engineering in Nigeria at the time of his appointment. The other Saheed has risen through community service and leadership to become the Baameko of Ibadanland, a highly respected traditional title.
Their paths, though different, are rooted in shared experiences of hardship, determination, and faith.
The two men reconnected recently and used the opportunity to reflect on their humble beginnings and the inspiring journey that brought them to where they are today.
“I’m so glad I ran into one of my oldest friends,” said the Baameko in a viral video.
He added, “We grew up together, attended tutorials together, and sold pepper and bread just to survive. Today, I am Baameko of Ibadanland, and my friend is a full professor. This story is to inspire someone out there—your present struggles do not define your future.”
Prof. Saheed echoed this message, recalling how they navigated life from the rough edges of Ibadan to reach the pinnacle of success.
“People might assume I had a privileged background, but that’s far from the truth. We hustled hard. I studied at Obafemi Awolowo University for my first degree and later earned my master’s and PhD. Today, I am a professor of Mechanical Engineering, and it’s all by God’s grace,” he said.
He shared his personal mantra: “Pray like prayer alone will do it, work like work alone will do it, and combine both—God will give you results.”
Their story is more than just a reunion—it is a powerful reminder that with perseverance, faith, and hard work, the seemingly impossible can become reality. From grass to grace, from zero to hero—the tale of the two Saheeds continues to inspire across Nigeria.
