Femi said, “Do not tell Tosin.”

It was 1988, and the external examination that would mark our exit from Ojota Secondary School, Ojota, was fast approaching. We were upstairs that day after school, studying for the WAEC examinations. Femi was there, Kemi was present, and I was reading too.

As evening fell, Kemi went downstairs to find better lighting. He settled by the side wall, where an electric bulb provided enough illumination. I followed soon after. Kemi was a diligent student—he always had been—and that evening, he was focused on studying Biology. He appeared determined to finish a particular section of Modern Biology.

As for me, I think I was just tagging along. I remember Olaoluwa once talking about skipping class to study at home, and I tried to emulate him. But, in hindsight, I doubt I achieved much with that approach. Back then, I lacked a clear strategy for effective study or academic success.

That evening, I simply followed Kemi, drawn by his determined attitude. Unlike him, my efforts were likely driven more by impulse than by purpose.

Later, I found myself with Femi, waiting for others to emerge from their respective study spots. By then, the day had fully transitioned into night. We struck up a conversation. While I wasn’t particularly close to Femi—Tosin was his closest friend, known to be his intellectual rival—that evening gave us a rare opportunity to talk, mostly about academics.

Femi was a natural leader. I recall an incident back in Primary Four when, as class captain, he disciplined me. Perhaps Mrs. Ero Philip had empowered him to enforce obedience. He made me raise my leg and stretch out my hands, possibly wielding a cane. How young and naïve we must have looked back in 1980 or 1981.

By Primary Six, Femi and I sat on opposite ends of the classroom. In one term, I came fifth in class—a result that left me bitter. I suspected Femi had shared answers with James Jonah and Toyin Kashoro, giving them an edge over me.

Femi’s academic prowess carried into Ojota Secondary School. In Class 1A, alongside Tosin Idowu and Wasiu Shittu, he emerged as the overall best student among 256 students. However, by Class 2, Tosin began to rival him, climbing to the top. Still, Femi managed to reclaim the first position. Perhaps it was the reawakening of a giant who refused to be dethroned.

That night, beneath the cover of darkness, I listened as Femi spoke. He talked about academic performance and, inevitably, Tosin came up in the conversation. At some point, Femi told me something, ending with a quiet instruction: “Do not tell Tosin.”

In hindsight, it’s clear Femi deeply respected Tosin and his academic brilliance.

Dear Tosin, have I now spilled the beans and let the cat out of the bag? Have you finally heard what your dear friend asked me not to tell you?

Uwem Sampson