Book
Nature Pays Diligence
Reflections of Distinguished Scholars of the Lagos State University
Lagos State University Press · 2020
A Note from the Authors
Nature Pays Diligence was written at the end of an important chapter of our lives, as we reflected on the people, decisions, setbacks, opportunities, and lessons that shaped our years at Lagos State University. What began as an attempt to share those lessons has continued to find meaning in the journeys of readers years later. The circumstances of our own lives have changed considerably since then, but the central conviction remains: diligence matters, mentorship matters, service matters, and whatever success we attain gains greater meaning when it helps create a path for someone else.
Kehinde Adebiyi & Oladimeji Shotunde
About the Book
Nature Pays Diligence is built around a simple conviction: meaningful achievement is rarely accidental; it is shaped by diligence, choices, relationships, resilience, and a willingness to keep growing.
Drawing from our experiences as students at Lagos State University, the book explores the realities of pursuing academic excellence while navigating campus life. Rather than presenting success as a straight path, it reflects on the decisions, people, challenges, and habits that shape a fulfilling university experience. The foreword by then Vice-Chancellor Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun specifically describes the book as a guide for young people navigating the challenges and opportunities of campus life.
The book is also deliberately broader than our own stories. Its second half brings together reflections from eight distinguished LASU scholars, showing how diligence and purposeful living can take different forms across disciplines, experiences, and ambitions.
Five Years Later, the Message Continues
In December 2024, BusinessDay published a retrospective examining the influence of Nature Pays Diligence through the experiences of students and young professionals who had encountered the book.
Read the BusinessDay Reflection: “Nature Pays Diligence: Reflecting on Five Years of Influence and Insight”Highlight from Foreword
“If there is a key that unlocks dreams and visions, thereby bringing them into reality, it would be diligence. This is the central message of Nature Pays Diligence, a compelling presentation of the unassailable truths about the rewards of hard work, as demonstrated by the practical experiences of the authors.
Both Kehinde Adebiyi and Oladimeji Shotunde have undoubtedly proven to be individuals of substance. Their consistent demonstration of a penchant for achieving greatness and commitment to bringing out positive narratives have made them role models to both their colleagues and those outside the four walls of the university.”
Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, SAN, NPOM
8th Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University
What Readers Say
Nature Pays Diligence had an everlasting impact throughout my undergraduate epoch. As the Overall Best Graduating Student of Lagos State University for the 2022/2023 academic session, I could trace my accomplishment to applying the principles outlined in this book. As a young person whose initial dreams were somewhat vague, reading this masterpiece was a revelation. As a result, the mantra “nature rewards those who work diligently” became my guiding principle, helping me stay resilient despite the various hurdles and muddles I encountered.
Nature Pays Diligence by Kehinde Adebiyi and Oladimeji Shotunde is an insightful work that captures the essence of what it takes to achieve and sustain a meaningful life. The title itself remarkably encapsulates the core theme of the book: the importance of diligence and consistency in all aspects of life’s journey. Drawing from their reflections as seasoned scholars, the authors illustrate a timeless truth: while beginnings are significant, the ultimate outcome is often determined by one’s attitude and perseverance along the way.
Over the past five years, the title of the book Nature Pays Diligence has been registered in my mind subconsciously. It is factual for me to say that I have been greatly impacted by the work even beyond the content, but mostly on the idea upon which the content and stories are established. Over time, the title of the book inspires a flair for excellence and a deep commitment to everything I lay my hands on. In navigating my academics and career, I must say that Nature Pays Diligence serves as a compass and constant reminder to align my goals with the principles of discipline and sustainability.
“Nothing worth having comes easy.” This statement by Theodore Roosevelt resonates passionately with my journey as I reflect on the lessons from Nature Pays Diligence, particularly Chapters 1 and 5, which resound the importance of determination and staying true to oneself. As a final-year Economics student, I am proud of my progress. From earning perfect 16/16 grades in JUPEB to achieving a 5.0 GPA in my first semester at LASU and maintaining an outstanding first-class degree, my academic journey reflects hard work and resilience.
