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General Summary
Chapter 1 Summary: Dusk
The chapter begins with Mr. Adewale Bepo, the principal of Stardom Schools, walking onto the podium during the morning assembly. His unusual gait and unexpected silence shock the students. As he takes the microphone from the chapel prefect, he attempts to speak but suddenly breaks down in tears, leaving everyone bewildered. The vice principal, Mrs. Grace Apeh, steps in, instructing the Chemistry teacher, Mr. Justus Anabel, to dismiss the students while staff members lead Mr. Bepo to his office.
Despite multiple attempts to comfort and question him, Bepo continues to weep uncontrollably for over 30 minutes. As rumors of his breakdown spread among parents, Mrs. Apeh, now overwhelmed with calls of concern, contacts the Managing Director (MD), Mrs. Ibidun Gloss, who is attending an event outside the school.
The day had started on a positive note, with the school announcing a reduction in boarding fees from ₦250,000 to ₦165,000, leading to an increase in boarding enrollment. The morning assembly had followed the usual routine, including the singing of the national anthem’s second stanza. A student, Ikenna Egbu, delivered a well-received speech about a recent excursion to Jos, after which the audience eagerly awaited the principal’s response. Known for his charisma and dedication, Bepo was expected to commend the student, but instead, his emotional collapse left everyone in shock.
Upon being informed, the MD rushes back to the school, particularly surprised since the previous day had been one of celebration—Stardom Schools had achieved a 90% WASSCE success rate, and teachers were rewarded for their students' excellent performances. However, two teachers were reprimanded for students who received Ds in their subjects.
Arriving at 9:30 a.m., the MD summons Bepo to her office, but he remains unresponsive, breaking down in tears once again. Concerned, she calls in Mr. Ope Wande, a Physics teacher and pastor, to counsel him, but after 10 minutes of gentle probing, even Pastor Wande is unable to get a response. They attempt to contact Bepo’s wife through an international number, but the call does not go through.
The MD considers sending Bepo home, but Pastor Wande advises against leaving him alone in his fragile state. Balancing concerns for his well-being and the school’s reputation, the MD decides that the school’s guidance counselor should escort him home to ensure his safety.
Chapter 2 Summary: The Enticement
Five days after his emotional breakdown, Mr. Bepo finally reveals the reason behind his distress—he is leaving Nigeria for the United Kingdom. The pressure to relocate, primarily from his wife and children, has become unbearable, pushing his marriage to the brink. Although he does not want to leave his students behind, his family's insistence forces him to make a decision.
Bepo had served four years as headmaster at Stardom Kiddies, the nursery and primary section of the school, before becoming the secondary school principal. His empathetic and diplomatic conflict-resolution skills earned him the nickname "The Lekki Headmaster," first coined by Mr. Audu, who compared him to King Oloja from the old TV drama Village Headmaster. The name stuck even after he moved to the secondary school.
Many of Bepo’s colleagues find his reluctance to relocate amusing, considering that he has what they see as a "golden opportunity." His wife, Seri, a nurse, earns up to £10,000 per month in the UK, while Bepo himself has secured a teaching job that pays about £3,600 with additional benefits—far more than his current Nigerian salary of ₦400,000 per month. Despite this, he had envisioned a different future, planning to retire from Stardom at 55 (in four years) and pursue entrepreneurship to contribute to the development of his country.
He had dreamed of starting a private school, having previously attempted to establish Fruitful Future with a friend after his National Youth Service. That venture failed because the target community could not afford the school fees. He also considered alternative businesses such as farming, food production, sachet/bottled water manufacturing, and commercial transportation. While he acknowledged the risks of hiring unreliable drivers, he believed transportation could be profitable if properly managed, as seen in companies like ABC and God is Good Motors.
However, with his relocation now certain, Bepo must abandon his entrepreneurial aspirations for a more financially secure but uncertain future in a new country with his family.
Chapter 3 Summary: Migration Tales
Having resolved to relocate, Mr. Bepo begins to listen to stories from others who have migrated before him. He appreciates the flexibility of the hourly wage system abroad, which allows employees to change jobs easily and enables employers to track productivity. This system, he believes, is one reason for the development of foreign countries, unlike Nigeria’s fixed monthly salary structure.
Bepo learns that one can earn between $150 and $250 per day abroad, amounting to about $2,400 per month—significantly higher than the ₦1,600 per day many Nigerians earn. He also discovers that skilled workers, especially in the medical field, have the best opportunities. Nigeria experiences a massive brain drain, with about 1,000 of its 3,000 doctors migrating annually. Many young graduates also leave the country through education visas.
He recalls the desperate and sometimes fraudulent means some Nigerians use to fund their relocation (Japa). For example, Mr. Nku, a staff member at Stardom, took a ₦2 million loan from the school’s cooperative and fled abroad, while a school driver attempted to sell the school’s bus to pay for his son’s college fees abroad.
One of Bepo’s former colleagues, Sola, who relocated to the UK six months earlier, reassures him that settling in will be easier since his wife is already there. She explains how migrating couples often split responsibilities—one works while the other studies. She and her husband had to sell everything and borrow ₦4 million to fund their move.
Many Nigerians choose the UK for its free primary and secondary education, unlike private schools like Stardom, where parents pay millions in tuition. Healthcare is also free, especially for children who receive regular mandatory checkups.
However, migration is not always glamorous. Jare, a former banker, was devastated to find himself caring for an elderly couple in London. Hope, an accountant who relocated for his Master’s degree, relied on his wife for financial support, but she later refused to continue providing for him. These stories make Bepo reflect on how life presents different outcomes for different people, likening it to an Idoma proverb that says the same rain that nourishes sugarcane also waters the bitter leaf, yet they develop different tastes.
Another challenge migrants face is whether to bring their relatives from Nigeria. Some, like Riike, willingly sponsor family members, while others hesitate to take on the responsibility.
Chapter 4 Summary: A Case of Visa Denied
One night, as Mr. Bepo prepares for his prayers in his room at Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos, he receives a call from Mrs. Ignatius, the mother of one of his students. He is uncomfortable with the overly familiar relationship she tries to establish with him, as he prefers to maintain professional boundaries despite his humorous and compassionate approach to students and staff.
Mrs. Ignatius and her husband, Mr. Ibe Ignatius, had been preparing to relocate abroad. Mr. Ibe, a manager at an oil firm, wanted to leave Nigeria because he did not want his children to grow up in a country where those who studied abroad would return to become leaders and superiors to those who remained. His wife supported the idea and began learning tailoring and hairdressing to earn money abroad. She quit her clerical job, and her husband shut down his clearing and forwarding business in preparation for the move.
However, their plans fell apart when a mandatory DNA test during their visa application process revealed that Mr. Ibe was not the biological father of one of their three children—Favour, an SSS2 student at Stardom. Furious and betrayed, he ordered his wife and Favour to leave the house. This revelation is the reason for Mrs. Ignatius’s late-night call to Bepo, as she seeks advice or comfort.
Bepo struggles with how to respond, aware that wealthy parents can sometimes be selfish and ruthless. He recalls a past incident involving another wealthy parent, Mrs. Ladele, whose daughter, Bibi, had a series of nightmares about her Government teacher, Mr. Ayesoro. His deep tribal marks frightened her, leading her to nickname him "Mr. Owala" (a derogatory Yoruba term for someone with wild facial scars). When Bibi’s nightmares persisted, Mrs. Ladele complained to the school management. Fearing they would lose her and her siblings as students, the school decided to transfer Mr. Ayesoro to Stardom Hub, a property wing of the Stardom Group of Companies, effectively ending his teaching career at the school.
Chapter 5 Summary: Snake in the Roof
One day, instead of retreating to her private office as usual, the MD of Stardom takes a walk towards a piece of land acquired by the school two years earlier. The land, located five minutes from the school’s back gate, was meant for future expansion. However, she is shocked to discover that teachers and staff have turned it into an unofficial parking lot. Even more surprising is the number of expensive cars and buses parked there, which raises her suspicion about how employees can afford such vehicles.
Alarmed, she immediately summons the principal and the accountant to investigate whether the staff are stealing from the school. When she questions how they could afford such expensive cars, the principal advises discussing the matter privately. He reassures her that the school’s finances are intact and explains that the staff acquired the vehicles through loans from the school’s cooperative society.
Unconvinced, the MD probes further, questioning the financial capacity of the cooperative: “How much is in the account of the Stardom Cooperative Society that it could buy every fool the car of his or her choice?” Her harsh words shock the principal and accountant.
The next day, she calls a board meeting to examine the cooperative’s financial records. She discovers that the cooperative has N95 million in its account, with over N50 million already loaned out to staff. This revelation alarms her, as she fears the teachers might use these funds to establish rival schools and damage Stardom’s brand. To illustrate her concerns, she uses the metaphor: “It’s like hanging a snake in the roof and going to bed.”
As a result, the board implements strict new policies:
- 1. No staff member can borrow more than N250,000.
- 2. All loan requests must receive direct approval from the MD.
- 3. The management must be informed about cooperative elections.
These measures aim to tighten control over the cooperative and prevent any potential threats to Stardom’s stability.
Chapter 6 - Ade as Well as Jide COMES vs. COME
The content of the novel on this website is provided as a summary to assist with revision. Candidates should ensure they read and fully understand the entire novel before the exams.
It is Open Day at Stardom Schools. The teachers at Stardom look forward to gifts from parents that come in cash and kind, especially the class teachers. Some teachers also dread Open Day because parents often come with a lot of complaints. Mr Bepo recalls an episode where an English teacher, Mr Farore was sacked for a trivial complaint made by a parent – Mr Guta. Mr Guta was in the MD’s office asking for Mr Farore to be sacked.
He recalls several other incidents where teachers were sacked. Some who were sacked were guilty and others were just “victims of circumstance or even conspiracy.” He always felt bad whenever he had to write a sack letter. He understands what can drive people to do things like this. He recalls an incident a long time ago when he was out of a job and had no savings. He ‘ate’ the N2,500 electricity tariff he had collected on behalf of the tenants and lied that he had paid it. However, the truth came out when the NEPA officials cut them off. The tenants mocked the “Oga Tisa” and disgraced him in front of everyone.
Mr Bepo was instructed to send for Mr Fafore who was teaching a class. Mr Bepo was not okay with calling a teacher out of the class as it left the students idle. Mr Farore could have given the notes to the class prefect so that the students could continue copying the notes but this practice has been discontinued because a parent had sued the school because of this. They had no other option than to leave the student idle.
While they walked to the MD’s office, the principal questioned Mr Fafore to know why he was about to be sacked but Mr Fafore was clueless as well. He then asked if he argued with Mr Guta but Mr Fafore responded that Mr Guta only walked into the class, checked his son’s books and said nothing before he left abruptly. Mr Bepo broke the news that he had been sacked, and Mr Fafore left for the staff room, devastated. He went to the staff room to collect his personal items where his fellow teachers had heard the news. The teachers concluded that “there was no job security in the establishment.”
At a meeting that occurred immediately after, the MD revealed to the teacher why Mr Fafore was fired. Mr Guta had discovered a grammatical error in his son’s note: “Ade as well as Jide comes early”. This made him so angry that he threatened to withdraw his children from the school. She says that the sentence should read: “Ade as well as Jide come early.” The principal responded to the MD’s fiery speech about Mr Fafore’s incompetence by saying that the sentence Mr Fafore taught was correct. He said:
“When you use ‘and’, the verb that follows is ‘come’. But when you use ‘as well as’, ‘together with’, ‘alongside’, etc., we fo for the singular verb with ‘s’. The clause is in the subjunctive mood and does not align with normal grammar rules.”
Chapter 7 Summary: Ritualists
Mr. Bepo recalls his time at Beesway Group of School, where he worked before joining Stardom Schools. He had a disagreement with the director, Mr. Egi Meko, over the grammatical inaccuracy in the school's name. Bepo insisted that the correct name should be Beesway Group of Schools, but the director refused to change it, claiming it was divinely inspired. Despite Bepo’s repeated attempts to correct the error, nothing changed. Later, some parents raised the issue during a PTA meeting, and Mr. Egi Meko accused Bepo of influencing them.
Bepo eventually left the school after witnessing a disturbing event. One night, from his staff quarters, he saw a group of men performing a strange ritual involving a cow. Curious, he armed himself with a machete and approached them, only to discover that the school director was among them. Bepo protested against the ritual, but one of the men struck him on the head, causing him to fall. Before further harm could be done, Mr. Egi Meko intervened, calmed his men, and helped Bepo back to his room before continuing his ritual.
This encounter shocked Bepo, as he had heard stories about school owners engaging in occult practices for success. He recalled his own experience running Fruitful Future School with a colleague. The school initially thrived, growing to over 70 pupils in its third session. However, a parent named Mr. Ogo suggested that Bepo perform a supernatural ritual to attract more students. When Bepo refused, Mr. Ogo withdrew his child from the school. Later, the school failed due to a decline in the neighborhood’s economy and poor road conditions.
Years later, Bepo learned that Mr. Ogo had been arrested for murdering a woman who had paid him ₦9 million for a spiritual cure for infertility. When she demanded a refund and threatened legal action, he lured her to his house and killed her.
Bepo considered reporting Mr. Egi Meko for the ritual but realized nothing would come of it. The next morning, the director summoned him to his office and apologized for the previous night’s assault. He claimed that the ritual was merely a special prayer for his late father, who had given him the land for the school. Anticipating trouble, Bepo had already packed his belongings before meeting with the director, signaling his decision to leave Beesway permanently.
Chapter 8 Summary: Missions Unaccomplished
Mr. Bepo hopes to resolve a long-standing legal dispute between two students’ families before relocating to the UK. The conflict stems from an election for new school prefects, where candidates had to purchase forms: ₦50,000 for Head Boy and Head Girl, ₦40,000 for deputies, and ₦25,000 for other positions. After buying the forms, candidates underwent screening for academic performance, moral conduct, and communication skills before being presented to the student body. Their names were posted on the notice board for two weeks, allowing objections before they gave speeches on Speech Day.
During Speech Day, a serious incident occurred. Banky, an SS2 student running for Social Prefect, publicly insulted her rival, Tosh, by saying:
"Instead of voting for the son of an ex-convict, cast your vote for me. You will never regret it."
Before the principal could react, Tosh walked out of the hall. Their rivalry had existed since JSS3, and their parents had also become involved. Tosh’s father, Chief Ogba, was not technically an ex-convict, but he had been detained for 36 months during a prolonged trial for allegedly misappropriating ₦2.5 billion in government funds. Though eventually released, he was ordered to refund the money.
Chief Ogba demanded that Banky and her parents issue a written apology, publish it in the school magazine, and formally apologize to Tosh. However, Banky's parents refused, leading to a lawsuit. Bepo wants to mediate and settle the matter out of court before his relocation.
Additionally, he regrets leaving behind The Invention Club, especially the Breath Project, where students built phones from recycled electronic parts. The initiative had gained attention from the media and government, and Bepo worried that it might fail without him. He promised to return from the UK for the official launch, determined to see the project succeed.
Chapter 9 Summary: Laughing Waterfalls
Stardom Schools is renowned for organizing enriching excursions, and Mr. Bepo ensures that students experience their country before studying abroad. Over the years, students have visited notable locations such as Ikogosi Warm Springs (Ekiti), Erin Ijesha Waterfalls (Osun), Owu Waterfalls (Kwara)—the tallest in West Africa, and Gurara Falls (Niger). They also plan to visit Kwa Falls (Calabar), Aesop Falls (Plateau), Karu Falls (Nasarawa), and Barup Falls (Taraba).
Apart from natural landmarks, students have explored historical and cultural sites like the Yakari Game Reserve (Bauchi), National War Museum (Umuahia), Hanging Lake (Oyo), Kano Palace, and the Ooni of Ife Palace (Ile-Ife). They have also participated in major festivals, including the Calabar Carnival, Osun Osogbo Festival, Argungu Festival (Kebbi), and Ofala Festival (Onitsha).
In Lagos, students visited the National Theatre, National Museum, MUSON Centre, and City Mall. When they toured lower-income areas like Mushin, Ajegunle, and Ijora, some students mocked the environment. Mr. Bepo rebuked them, reminding them that success is about determination:
“If you are determined, committed to education, and make the best use of your talent, time will move you from slum to limelight. Many of those you see on Banana Island started in slums. Life moves upward for those who maximize their talents, money, and opportunities.”
The students also visited Badagry, where the Akran of Badagry explained the town’s history and the transatlantic slave trade. A student inquired if “Badagry” originated from “Agbadarigi,” and the Akran confirmed it. The students toured slave trade monuments and missionary sites, with Mr. Bepo particularly moved by the tragic history of slavery.
He reflected on the irony that, while Africans once fought against forced labor under colonial masters, they now voluntarily migrate (“japa”) in search of better opportunities—what he considers a modern form of slavery.
Chapter 10 Summary: Passport Pains
Mr. Bepo’s passport had expired two years earlier, but he delayed renewing it due to the stress and bureaucracy involved. When he finally decides to renew it, he explores different options to avoid the long and frustrating process. He considers bribing an immigration officer, which would cost between N200,000 to N250,000, or traveling to a less congested Immigration Service office in a neighboring state. He chooses Ibadan for the renewal.
Although the official process is supposed to be straightforward, Bepo learns from an agent named Tai that the system is still riddled with unofficial practices. On the phone, Tai tells him that a 10-year renewal (64 pages) costs N100,000, even though the official price is N70,000.
Bepo travels to Ibadan on a Tuesday afternoon for his 7:00 AM appointment the next day. The journey takes 50 minutes, much shorter than the two-hour trip he once had with his students. Along the way, he notices the increasing number of churches, mosques, and businesses along the expressway. He reflects on how Nigeria has “many religionists but few godly people”, but stops himself from being too judgmental.
As he arrives in Ibadan, he is captivated by its iconic landscape and is reminded of J.P. Clark’s poem “Ibadan”, which describes the city’s rust-colored rooftops and hills:
Ibadan, running splash of rust
and gold-flung and scattered among
seven hills like broken china in the sun.
At the Immigration Office, he discovers that Tai is not an immigration officer but a business center operator who collaborates with immigration staff. Tai provides him with the necessary documents and directs him to an official for validation. Surprisingly, the process is fast, and the officer instructs Bepo to return in three weeks for data capturing. When Bepo expresses shock at the speed, the officer reminds him that this is why he paid extra. Bepo gives the officer an additional N2,000 tip.
Chapter 11 Summary: Point of No Return
Mr. Bepo’s departure from Stardom School is met with mixed emotions, and the school organizes a Farewell Celebration in his honor. To attend, he delays his flight, though the airline charges him a $100 cancellation fee, which the school covers.
The farewell events span three days:
Wednesday: A football match between the staff and students, where the staff fraudulently win 3-2 with the help of the games master, Mr. Ibe.
Thursday: A debate in Bepo’s honor on the topic: "The arts have contributed more to the development of the country than the sciences." He is deeply impressed by the students' brilliance and eloquence, recalling an old Yoruba adage:
Even if Onirese, the master carver, eventually bows out of the trade, the carvings he had bequeathed to the world will live on.
Friday (Grand Finale): A series of performances, including songs, comedy, and dances. During a drama club dance about their visit to Badagry, Bepo becomes overwhelmed with emotion, shouting “Noooo!” as memories of the Heritage Slavery Museum flood his mind. The audience is startled, but he quickly recovers, joking:
“I mean no school could have done the Canoe dance better. None! None at all!”
The Managing Director (MD) gives a heartfelt speech, revealing that her father personally hired Mr. Bepo, recognizing his potential. She praises him extensively before presenting him with a farewell gift—a $10,000 cheque, the largest ever given to a departing staff member at Stardom.
Finally, Mr. Bepo takes the microphone to give his farewell speech. However, he breaks down in tears, an emotion the audience fully understands.
Chapter 12 Summary: ...Dawn
Mr. Bepo is scheduled to depart Nigeria on a 10:00 pm flight on Saturday, with boarding starting at 5:00 pm. He plans to leave home by 3:00 pm. As he is about to call an Uber, his landlord, Mr. Ogunwale, and his family arrive to bid him farewell. Mr. Ogunwale offers to drive him to the airport and says a brief prayer before they leave.
Bepo packs two large bags and a smaller one. His wife had advised him to travel light but not to forget essential Nigerian ingredients like iru (locust beans), egusi, ground crayfish, and dry snail, which he purchases from Oyingbo Market. He has already sold his car to the school accountant for ₦1.5 million and gifted his electronics to the landlady.
On the way to Murtala Muhammed Airport, they meet Vice Principal Mrs. Grace Apeh, the accountant Mr. Oyelana, and Mr. Audu, who had planned to accompany him. At the airport, the Stardom staff assist him with check-in and security clearance before bidding him a final farewell to avoid Lagos traffic.
While waiting for his boarding call, Bepo falls asleep and dreams of being at the Heritage Museum in Badagry, witnessing 7 million enslaved Africans being forced onto a ship at the Point of No Return. A white man orders him to board, and he screams, “Noooo!” before an airline official wakes him up—it is time to board.
The following Monday, Stardom School feels the void left by his departure. The MD reassures the students that a new principal will be appointed. However, before she can continue, the students see Bepo returning. Overwhelmed with joy, they lift him off his feet as he declares, “I am not leaving; I am going to complete my mission!” The students drown his voice as they passionately chant the school’s victory song.
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