“How is it that people with little formal education become more successful than those who have advanced degrees?”“How is it that people with little formal education become more successful than those who have advanced degrees?”
In a busy Nigerian city, a boy named Tunde dropped out of school at the age of 14 to support his family. He began selling fruit on the street. While his friends attended classes, Tunde spent his days calling out to customers, handling money, and learning how to sell.
“A teenage boy selling fruits at a street stall in a busy African city.”
Tunde watched carefully. He saw which fruits people liked, which ones sold fast, and which ones spoiled quickly. He started waking up early to buy the freshest produce. He used simple methods to keep his fruit fresh. Later, he began selling to small restaurants, expanding his customer base.
By the age of 25, Tunde owned a small fruit supply business. He had a few workers and delivered to shops and restaurants.
Meanwhile, his cousin Ade followed a different path. He completed his education and earned a university degree in economics. However, after graduating, Ade found it difficult to get a job. Most companies asked for work experience, which he did not have. After several months, he found a job, but it paid less than what Tunde’s workers were earning.
By the time Tunde turned 30, he owned multiple warehouses, employed dozens of people, and donated money to rebuild the school he once left behind.
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://inezabusiness.com/how-is-it-that-people-with-little-formal-education-become-more-successful-than-those-who-have-advanced-degrees/&media=https://inezabusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/boy.jpg&description="How is it that people with little formal education become more successful than those who have advanced degrees?"){kind=link}