INTERVIEW: I worked as sales assistant while schooling, says Akwa United’s player who bagged first class

Paulinus Okon is a record-breaker, an outlier, and a trendsetter. In November, he became the first student to graduate with first-class honours from the Department of Agricultural Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Uyo. He accrued a 4.50 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) to become the department’s best-graduating student for the 2021/22 academic set.

As if that were not incredible enough, Okon achieved the distinction while delicately balancing his academic pursuit with the rigour of a professional football career. He is currently a player with Akwa United in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). Nigerian footballers with university degrees are rare. The list of those with first-class degrees is even shorter. Okon stands proud in the exclusive club.

In a chat with TheCable’s SHEHU IDRIS, Okon narrated the struggle of juggling two incredibly conflicting careers and the financial woes that come with the attempt to strike a balance. He spoke of days he would doze off in class due to training fatigue. The footballer shared how injuries almost derailed his class attendance and concentration. The winger further recounted the mockery he endured from other students who thought a professional footballer aiming for an academic distinction was a pipe dream. 

TheCable: How do you feel about graduating with first class while having a budding football career?

Okon: I feel great about it, especially considering the journey so far, how hard it was, and how I hung on. I stand to be corrected. I might be the only professional footballer playing in Nigeria with a first-class degree. I thank the almighty.

TheCable: You used the word “journey” to describe your experience, which suggests you have a lot to talk about. Can you tell us about the journey of juggling a football career with academic excellence?

Okon: On the whole, the journey was tough, but thankfully, we were able to scale through it. It was a difficult thing to combine both the academic sector and sports. Before I even began, I had to constantly remind myself of my long-term goal of succeeding as a footballer and securing a solid academic foundation.

That has always been my goal. Sometimes, I had to liaise with my lecturers to see how I could juggle both of them, especially since, in this climate, it is almost impossible for professional footballers to get an academic education full-time. The journey was tough, and I learnt a whole lot of things along the way.

TheCable: You have emphasised how tough it is to combine both careers. Did the toughness required prove detrimental to your health at some points? 

Okon: A couple of times. The biggest was stress. The two sectors seem to contradict themselves. In the academic sector, you’re told you need to stay up and read, especially at night; and in the sports sector, you are told you need to rest a minimum of eight hours to recover and play well.

So, juggling education and football, I needed to balance the two, a balance on how I can keep my candle burning and still get enough rest to play matches.

I remember my second year when I had a very important game coming up. It was in the middle of our exams. It was tough because I needed to stay up and read, and also prepare ahead of the game the next day. It was a bit complicated for me, but I got help from my coaches and lecturers. Their advice helped me find a way around it, and I did not have to sacrifice one for the other.

I did not represent the school in football competitions because most people who did missed classes, tests, and exams. As I said before, I already had a goal, and missing tests and exams like that will not help my CGPA. So, I had to decline invites to play for the school respectfully, but I played for my department and faculty.

TheCable: You mentioned finding a balance to ensure neither suffered from the other. What practical tips helped you achieve that balance? 

Okon: I developed a structured schedule with dedicated study and training time. I had a strict time-management plan that helped me, and I ensured I was making progress in both areas without feeling overwhelmed.

I had times when I dedicated some hours of the day to reading because I needed to rest at night for the next game. I was strict with my time, so I could not socialise like other students. Most of the time, my schedule included school, the field, home, and church.

TheCable: How expensive was it to combine the two career paths? 

Okon: It was very expensive. There were moments when I did not even have anything for transport. But God has a way of unexpectedly bringing people to assist me. Sometimes, money for feeding was not enough, but you had to keep your heads up.

TheCable: Did you take odd jobs to fill the gaps at those points? 

Okon: Yes, especially when I was down financially. I did a part-time job as a sales assistant. I also did some digital and social media marketing programmes, although some did not work because they required full-time attention.

TheCable: Were there particular moments when football injuries affected your concentration in class or assignments, and did exam demands affect your performance on the pitch?

Okon: I had an ankle injury on two occasions and could not walk to class. I needed to hire vehicles to take me to class. It was exhausting. The pain from the injury, the money you are spending, and the injury’s frustration keep you out of games.

Sometimes, you have to attend classes when there is an ongoing match. Most of the time, I slept during classes because of the rigour of the training. My coursemates, who understood my situation, helped me with notes. Sometimes, I had important games and exams on the same day. I had to go from the game to the exam hall. So, what I did to measure up was to read ahead and do revisions way before the exam.

TheCable: What role did your parents play in your pursuit of both career paths?

Okon: Right from my childhood days, my parent have been my 100 per cent supporters. Before I even harboured the dream of playing as a professional, they were the ones who encouraged me because they saw my potential. They also knew I was a brilliant child, and when they saw that I could play football well, they encouraged me. They were my backbone from the beginning to the end.

Being an A-grade student also helped. That made my lecturers support my decision to play football and go to school.

In a year when it was choking up and I needed to apply to retake an exam, at first, the lecturers did not consider me. I had a game outside the state in the NNL, and I could not take the exam. But what helped me was when they saw my CGPA and they reconsidered. First is trust. Even when I was young, my parents knew how brilliant I was, and they knew I could do the two when I added football.

TheCable: Were there anxious moments towards the tail end of your academic study when you realised you had the opportunity of finishing with first class and you were tempted to drop football to focus on the quest? 

Okon: Yes, especially when you are at the boundary of trying to solidify your place in the first-class position. One of the turning points was in my final year when I needed to do my project and cement my CGPA. I was anxious and considered drawing back from football. I planned to return to football after completing my project. However, when I spoke with my coaches and lecturers, they helped me draft an extended time to finish my project while also playing my game.

Also, several people laughed at my attempt at a first-class in academics because I was a footballer. I felt down about that. Most of the time, I was sleeping in class. I used to feel down but always found a way to come up again.

TheCable: Why did you choose to study agricultural engineering, and do you plan to use the degree during or after your football career?

Okon: I plan to use the degree during my football career. The same way I managed the two, I plan on running something in the background while also playing football. If there is an opportunity or a master’s scholarship, I am willing to combine the two.

The dream of doing agriculture developed at a young age. I love farming, naturally. My mother is a pig farmer, and I love growing things. So, when I saw the course and its potential, I had to jump on it. Especially with agricultural engineering, it will be easy to move into mechanised farming.

TheCable: How was your journey from your village in Nsit Atai to Akwa United FC?

Okon: I used to play in the street from my nursery and primary school days. I played in my village competitions during Christmas and other times. That was when my parents saw that I could do this and that. I was the youngest in one of the competitions, and I did well to win the best player award. From then, I joined the Nordic Football Academy in the NLO 1. I also played in the Akwa Ibom Governor’s Cup in 2023. I represented Nsit Atai, my LGA.

Then, I was invited to join FC One Rocket, where I played in the NNL, scored some goals, and made some assists. I am thankful for the experience and challenges through which I grew at One Rocket. Coach Nda, who is the father of Olisa, the Super Eagles defender, came for me. Akwa United came for me.

TheCable: How has it been with Akwa United so far? 

Okon: It is the beginning of my journey. I have not made my NPFL debut yet, but I am working hard so that when my time comes, I will be able to help the team.