“Babe, na where you de go?”

“I get aptitude test for Lagos.”

“Aptitude test? For Lagos? You well so?”

“Shuo?! Abeg carry your bad mouth waka. Time never reach make I begin arrange my destiny?”

They continued the banter, back and forth as Adeline packed her travel bag. She had received an invitation for an aptitude test for a job she had applied for.

Adeline and Belema were both serving in a local government office in one of the Northern states in Nigeria, under the National Youth Service Corps program. They met during the orientation drills and struck off a friendship immediately. They were both young, aspiring Language and Communications graduates, waiting patiently for the service year to be over so that they can get on with the life they desired. Adeline was the forceful, determined, go-getter while Belema preferred to take life easy, one step at a time.

“Just last week, I was looking through a copy of Guardian newspaper I borrowed from Mr. Adesina ……”,

Adeline started and just as she was about to narrate the story of how the aptitude test invite came through for her, Belema cut in.

“Na who be Mr Adesina again? Na only you de quick sabi all the people for this area.”

Adeline flung a pillow at her playfully.

“Abeg, allow me finish this my story o.”

“Sorry. Oya continue”, Belema winked at her.

‘Ehe, so Mr. Adesina gave me this newspaper and I saw an advert for an entry level position in Greenwich Foods. I applied but I did not think they will respond. Yesterday, I got an e-mail inviting me for an aptitude test. I have spoken to my parents and they have encouraged me to go. As you see me so, I don reach Lagos!”

She danced around the room, celebrating her first victory over the task of searching for jobs – an invitation to write an aptitude test. Belema watched her as she did her victory dance and then she spoke with some concern,

“Have you studied for this test? Are you aware that the flights from this town to Lagos are not direct? They are quite tricky, so you need to be sure you have your itinerary carefully planned. How much do you even know about the role you applied for? Have you done an aptitude test before? I hear it usually has small math and you know you and math are not best friends. Ehe!”

Adeline was quiet for a few seconds. She had not realized how serious and demanding this venture was going to be for her. She moved her clothes to a corner of the bed and sat down.

“I did not think of these things, honestly, but I do not want to go back on my decision now. I will reconfirm the flights and all other things you just mentioned. Meanwhile, I need to run down to Femi’s house to ask for his scientific calculator. That should help me tackle the math, abi?”

Belema laughed. “You de crase, I swear!”

“Na you sabi”, Adeline replied as she pushed her feet into her slippers and made a quick dash towards the door.

She arrived Lagos, got to the test center and met a good number of people, waiting for the same test. As she strolled past the little groups, she listened on their conversations as they discussed past aptitude test questions and their experiences with the previous tests they had written. For a moment, Adeline felt lost, discouraged, and defeated. She whispered to herself,

“At this rate, is a Pass guaranteed? This trip already looks like a waste of time, money and energy to me.” She sighed. “Anyway, I am here. I will do the test and leave. At least I tried. E for Effort.” She giggled.

Her humour was an escape route for her anytime she felt overwhelmed.

The invigilators walked in, interrupting her thoughts.

“Thank you all for your interest in working with our organization. We will start off immediately. The test is in 2 sections – Math and English. Please do your best to complete both sections. Your scripts will be marked, scored right after the test and those who passed will be asked to stay behind for the next interview level.”

Adeline shivered as she looked through the Math questions.

“This subject has caught up with me again. I thought I was done with it forever!”

As she starred at the sheet before her, she lifted her head slightly at intervals and noticed the other candidates had their calculators in their hand and were obviously putting them to good use. She looked at the math questions and wondered why everyone was fiercely tapping away on their calculators. She panicked.

“There must be something wrong somewhere.”

Quickly, she did what she could on both sections, submitted her sheets and began to pack her bag, ready to leave. She was certain that even if there was one candidate who failed, it would be her.

The invigilator came in about an hour later.

“Thank you all again. We understand it was a tough test, unfortunately, only one person made the required pass-mark and so we will call out the name of the successful candidate, while we wish the rest of you success in your future endeavours.”

Adeline sighed. “At least, we plenty wey fail the test. Where my bag jare? I de go. Belema go laugh me taya.”

She laughed at herself as she got up to leave.

“Adeline Ivie Osaro, congratulations! Please wait behind for further instructions regarding your next interview.”

She stopped! That was the invigilator’s voice! That was her full name! She had passed and she was the only candidate who passed! How did that happen? She quickly readjusted, composed herself and walked towards the invigilator, as he held the door for her to walk into the waiting room. Then it occurred to her that she did not remember the exact role she had applied for. She panicked again!

“I hope this won’t turn out to be something I cannot do. Besides, I am only interested in pursing my career in Communications o. I hope these people have a spot for me in that department. I hope they even have a Communications Department. Ah, Adeline Ivie Osaro! Why? This is how you set yourself up all the time! See your life!”

Her thoughts were interrupted again but this time, by one of the managers, a young lady.

Adeline made it through the interview with the manager and she was advised to expect another email, inviting her for the third interview level.

“Mom, this is like a dream. I did not think I would pass the test. I am excited but uncomfortable. I would have preferred if I were knocked out after that test. I cannot come this far and have my hopes dashed.”

“You will be alright”, was her mother’s reply.

Adeline was invited for the third interview and as she sat across the table, this manager, a foreigner, explained some details of the role to her.

“Please note that you will be working with numbers and so numeracy skills will be an asset in this role….”

Her heart stopped for a second.

“Math! Again? No, I cannot! I cannot do this one!”

She battled within herself. As soon as he was done, she spoke up.

“Thank you, sir, for taking your time to explain the details of this role to me. However, I have a concern and I feel I need to let you know upfront. I heard you mention something related to numbers. I must be honest with you. The job advert did not request for anything related to numeracy skills. I wish it did.”

“Yes, I know.” He replied. “It is an entry level position; however, we assume that anyone who is able to pass the test should have the capacity to work with numbers as much as is required on the role.”

“Okay, I would like to make this clear. Math is not one of my strengths. The last time I did anything related to math was in secondary school. I am not sure I can accept a position that would require numeracy skills.”

“Very well then. Thank you for letting me know. We will be in touch.”

They both exchanged pleasantries again, shook hands and she left.

She never heard from the management of Greenwich Foods again.