Of Nature, Nurture, Geography, Predestination and Other Thoughts

This article was first written on July 22, 2026.

I’m presently reading the autobiography of Professor Ayo Banjo, former vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan, titled Morning by Morning. It’s an excellent read by all standards. I’m just a few chapters into the book but I’ve been reflecting on several factors that gently guide or direct the course of human life.

While reading the book, the election of the new President of the Nigeria Bar Association also took place and the story making the rounds is that the new female President, Mrs Badejo-Okusanya and the Minister of Trade, Dr Jumoke Oduwole were born to the same parents. From what we learnt, the father was the pioneer vice-chancellor of LASU, while the mother was the first female Registrar of UNILAG.

Does being born to certain parents confer an automatic advantage or headstart to someone? How does going to certain schools or being raised in certain locations affect the eventual outcome of one’s life?

Can your family background predict your future? Or can hard work and prayers change the story? Share on X

Can success, fulfilment of purpose or achievement be predicted based on nature—things we had very little contribution to except perhaps happenstances of birth and accidents of geography? How much of nurture is required if nature turns its back against you? Are certain categories of people more likely to succeed than others based on where they come out from?

I love to read biographies and autobiographies because they give a deeper insight into some of the issues described. For instance, the first schoolmaster of Prof. Ayo Banjo in his early years was the inimitable D.O. Fagunwa, the author of Igbo Olodumare and other iconic Yoruba literature texts. His father taught at St Andrews College and his mother had peers in secondary school, such as Professor Bolanle Awe and Professor Jade Akande. While growing up, Atinuke Oloko (later Justice Atinuke Ige, the wife of the late Cicero, Bola Ige) stayed with his parents.

Did all these circumstances eventually influence who he became? Is a child also not influenced by what they grow up seeing and observing around them? If this is true, as we observe in several situations, does it mean that certain categories will be disadvantaged even before they are born? So are some predestined to succeed while some are predestined to fail? Is life que sera sera—what will be will be? Or with a dint of hard work and prayers, can one overcome the obvious disadvantages and odds?

Your starting point may influence your journey, but it does not have to determine your destination. Share on X

What role does luck play in the affairs of men? What role does time and chance play in the outcome of one’s earthly journey? If nature/nurture is unfair, can one go the way of bootstrapping? Have we not seen the seeds of otherwise great men who had all the opportunities yet could not live up to their potentials? Have we not seen people shatter glass ceilings with very little help and even when they weren’t expected to? 

I am convinced that while nature might confer a head start or certain advantages, anyone who is willing to take risks and never give up will achieve great outcomes in life.