Book review: A comprehensive analysis of ‘The Life Changer’

The novel ‘Life Changer’ written by Khadija A. Jalli is the Joint Admissions Matriculations Board (JAMB) pick for 2022, 2023 and 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) candidates.Normally, candidates will take 15 to 35 questions from the recommended compulsory novel in the use of English exam questions. Regardless of the course, they are applying to study and the mode of the examination. The book is a literary work that modifies the story of university life. The book supports the concepts of hope and redemption in the lives of our youth and is laced with deep brightness. The narrative tracks Salma and the rest of her university companions’ misadventures as they navigate the rough and tumble waves of academics.

About the Novel
The book is a novel that changes the narrative of life on campus. Laced with underlying optimism, the book upholds the tenets of hope and redemption in the lives of our youth.The story follows the escapades of Salma and her roommates in the university as they swim in the turbulent and seamy tides of academia. The Life Changer is Khadija Abubakar Jalli’s first publication and she seems to be saying that the female voice is making a rebound on the parapet of the African literary scene.

About the author
Khadija holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc (Ed) Mathematics degree. She is an entrepreneur and chief executive officer (CEO) of She’s Boutique Afrique. Khadija Abubakar Jalli is married with children.

Summary of ‘Life Changer’

CHAPTER 1

A family of six awaits the arrival of Mr. Esquire. While they wait, Bint gives an account of her classroom encounter with her intrusive Social studies teacher, Mallam Salihu, who is known to act as though he knew a bit more about every subject as he will often ask questions outside the subject of discussion. Bint narrates how she genuinely handled a similar occurrence leaving the teacher dumbfounded by the cheering and laughter of other pupils.

Ummi is seamlessly proud of her daughter, particularly, Bint’s intelligent approach to issues and she joins in the discussion right before Omar joyfully announces his admission to study law at Ahmadu Bello University.

As the family gathers to celebrate Omar’s success, Omar boasts of his achievement and takes pride in solely overcoming examination challenges and several other entry procedures while seeking admission. Ummi recognizes her son’s naivety and tries to enlighten him about the life-changing capability of university admission. Ummi tells her children how her admission changed her.

CHAPTER 2

Twenty years ago, Ummi gained admission into the university and got married to her husband even before she started her registration. Ummi tells them about the freedom and the carefree life of students in the university, the difficulty in distinguishing between teachers and students with females dressing almost naked, and how some faculties are required to be on dress codes. Ummi further discloses her experience with Salma, a sophisticated young lady.

Salma goes for her registration much later than everyone else but expresses discomfort and irritation about the delay in the registration process. Salma is interrogated by a young man in the queue and he continuously engages her in a discussion but Salma continues to criticize and overgeneralise her opinions about lecturers.

Salma does not only create a similarity between lectures and policemen as personalities that can be bribed, but she also boasts about her ability to win the lecturer’s favour if she gives him as low as two or three thousand naira. Unknowingly to Salma and the astonishment of everyone in the queue, the young man she has been conversing with is the lecturer in charge of the registration procedure.

Ummi proceeds to her departmental registration and she is directed to the head of the department’s (HOD) office. The HOD is seen exchanging endearing pleasantries with Ummi which she finds rather discomforting and inappropriate.

Ummi assumes the HOD is trying to make a pass at her. She indeterminately manages to accommodate this until she is given her matriculation number and leaves the office irritated and angry. On getting home, Ummi tells her husband about her experience at the HOD’s office but she is astounded to learn about the friendship and rapport between her husband and Dr Sam John.

CHAPTER 3

Ummi tells the story of ‘the quiet one’, a boy named Talle. Talle is given birth after many years of child futility and his birth causes the death of his mother. He grows up possessing a silent character and becoming even more reticent with the death of his father and stepmother, thus, ‘the quiet one’ was a perfect description.

Talle is considered a good person by the villagers and unable to cause harm. However, Talle needed money at a point and confided in Zaki who proposed the idea of abducting a boy and requesting a ransom.

The plan is executed by the duo and Talle restrains the boy in his house. Talle goes to the market for his groceries but his usual request for food items is doubled. Soon, the market woman notices a change in his larger request for groceries and reports the issue to the District head­­. While Talle is being interrogated by the District head, policemen rampage the palace and arrest Talle as a suspect for kidnapping and extortion. Talle and Zaki are eventually sentenced to some years of imprisonment.

CHAPTER 4

This chapter gives a further account of Salma’s splendour and pomposity. Salma goes to Dr Debo, the level coordinator, to have her forms signed. Unfortunately, Dr. Debo loses touch with his many years of discipline and makes advances towards Salma. Salma arrogantly dismisses his attempt and further insults him before leaving the office. Dabo is left in a state of regret and he remorsefully prays to be vindicated from the impact of what he has created.

Salma completes her hostile registration and moves into a room occupied by three other girls. Initially, Salma does not like the sight of her roomies but eventually, they begin to grow fond of each other and form an intimacy they regard as sisterhood.

On a faithful evening, Salma is offered a ride in a Mercedes Benz by two men, Habib and his driver, Labaran. She slides in knowing it is dangerous and she conceitedly plots a scheme to decline Habib’s request to date her if he eventually proposes.

Having to decline a man who rides Benz is Salma’s way of upgrading her standards and getting recognition and respect from her colleagues and the entire university.

CHAPTER 5

In this chapter, it is discovered that Salma gives Habib Tomiwa’s mobile line instead, and unknowing to Habib, calls Tomiwa to go out on a date with him. Tomiwa is curious about Habib and decides to go out on a blind date but eventually discloses the switch in mobile lines. Habib likes her still and shops for her and her roommates. He also gives Tomiwa some money for herself and her roomies.

She is elated and her roommatesshared in this happiness. At first, Salma agitates against Tomiwa’s approval of Habib and accuses her of being a chameleon. Ada and Ngozi intervene but the issue escalates. They soon come to a state of tranquillity as soon as someone knocks at the door. They do not want to have to share their lots with other neighbours.

Meanwhile, Salma and her roommates continue to excel in their separate departments and prepare for General studies papers.

CHAPTER 6

Salma finds Moral philosophy very difficult. She, however, prepares by practising past questions and answering them offhand. Unfortunately, Salma was unable to answer any of the questions during the examination as none of the topics for which she spent the whole night preparing had come out. She resolves to indulge in examination malpractice. Kola provides answers to some of the questions in a note as she copies them into her answer booklet. Regrettably, she is caught by a female lecturer.

Salma is compelled to fill out the Examination Malpractice (EMAL) form and she is ushered to the HOD’s office. He transfers her case to the Exams and Ethics Committee for further processing. Salma and Kola are expelled thereafter.

CHAPTER 7

Salma goes to Habib to help her influence the committee by using his position as a politician. Habib offers to involve Dr Debo but due to her experience with the lecturer, she declines this suggestion and proffers bribing. Habib offers to give Salma some amount of money to bribe the chairman of the Examination and Ethics Committee (EMEC) but in return, she must repay in kind.

Salma is reluctant to accept this offer because of her affair with Labaran and she considers it unfair to have an affair with her friend’s man. Salma soon gives in to his request but unluckily she gives the money to Dr. Kabir, who claims to be the chairman of the EMEC. She soon finds out she has been deceived by Dr. Kabir who was neither the chairman nor a member of the Committee. She is demoralized and breaks down.

CHAPTER 8

This chapter reveals the true identity of Mohammed Kabir, a laboratory technologist employed by the University. He has been nicknamed Doctor since secondary school and has always been referred to as Dr. Kabir.

Labaran discovers Salma has been played by the gambler and informs Habib suggesting Zaki be contacted to handle the situation. Honourable Habib is sceptical about involving Zaki owing to his failure in the first mission of abducting Alhaji Adamu’s son. Habib Yielded to Labaran’s suggestion and contacted Zaki to trail Kabir.

Kabir is spotted at a gambling spot. Kabir wins the game at the gambling spot and leaves to avoid losing it all. Sadly, he is trailed by thugs whose mission is to retrieve Kabir’s wins. Zaki catches up with Kabir as he is being attacked by the thugs. Zaki strikes the thugs and gains control of the situation as they flee. He then concentrates on Kabir, collects the money, and leaves him bruised.

Ummi also tells her children how Salma changed her immoral ways. Salma becomes serious and decent after the death of her father and because of her level of seriousness, Ummi allows Salma to become friends with her.

CHAPTER 9

Ummi also reveals Salim’s resentful experience with smartphones. Salim confesses to Lawal about a girl helmet on social media. After several exchanges of pictures, chats, and affection Salim visits Natasha according to her preference.

Unconscious to him that he is being tricked by Natasha, he embarks on a journey to see her late in the night. On his arrival, she joins him in the front seat of his SUV, and Salim is captivated by her beauty. He is eventually ambushed by gunmen who try to rob him of his possessions. Luckily for him, he escapes this only to get involved with another lady he meets on social media.

This time he pleads with Lawal to accompany him to avoid a similar contingency. Lawal declines and he goes to see the supposed beautiful girl. Salim leaves in disappointment and meets an ugly girl instead.

The children are seen proclaiming admiration for all the stories related to them by Ummi as they await Daddy’s arrival.

Narrative Style and Structure:

Khadija Abubakar Jalli employs a conversational and accessible narrative style in “The Life Changer.” This approach makes the book relatable, especially for younger readers. The story is structured in a way that it unfolds through dialogues and interactions among the characters, which adds to its engaging quality.

Themes and Content: The novel explores themes that are pertinent to everyday life, especially in the context of Nigerian society. It touches on experiences in higher education, the challenges faced by students, and the broader societal dynamics that influence these experiences. The book is educational in a broad sense, offering insights into moral choices, ethical behaviour, and the consequences of one’s actions.

Representation in Nigerian Literature: “The Life Changer” contributes to the growing body of Nigerian literature that reflects contemporary life and experiences. Khadija Abubakar Jalli’s work adds to the diversity of voices in African literature, offering perspectives that are grounded in the realities of modern Nigerian society.

Impact on Education: The novel has been noted for its potential impact on education, particularly for its relatability to university students. It presents scenarios that many students find familiar, thereby providing not just entertainment but also lessons and reflections on how to navigate academic and social challenges.

Cultural Significance: Khadija Abubakar Jalli’s writing reflects the cultural and social milieu of Nigeria, offering readers both within and outside the country a window into the life of Nigerian youth, especially in the university setting. This cultural representation plays a crucial role in fostering understanding and appreciation of diverse experiences and narratives.

THEMES

Pride and Arrogance: This theme is predominantly showcased through the character of Salma, whose arrogance and pride are evident in various instances, such as her interactions with university officials and her initial disdain for her roommates.

University as a Life Changer: Central to the novel, this theme highlights how university life can significantly alter an individual’s perspective and character. The experiences of Salma at the university serve as a primary example of this transformation.

Hope and Redemption of the Youth: This theme underlines the possibility of positive change and redemption among the youth, particularly in the university setting. It is portrayed through the various challenges and transformations that the characters undergo.

Life in the University: The novel provides a vivid depiction of university life, covering aspects such as the relationships between students and lecturers, the social dynamics among students, and the overall atmosphere of the university environment.

Bribery and Corruption: A critical theme in the novel, it explores how bribery and corruption can permeate various levels of academic and social interactions, impacting the characters’ lives and decisions.

What You Sow is What You Reap: This theme, also known as karma, is evident throughout the novel, particularly in the consequences faced by characters like Salma and Dr. Kabir for their actions.

Dangers of Social Media: The novel touches upon the potential risks associated with social media, as demonstrated through the experiences of characters like Salim, who encounters unexpected challenges due to his online activities.

NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE

The narrative style used in “The Life Changer” by Khadija Abubakar Jalli is known as a first-person narrative. This approach employs the character Ummi as the narrator, who shares her experiences and those of others from her perspective. This style allows readers to experience the events and understand the characters’ emotions and thoughts through Ummi’s eyes.

Characterization
Ummi: The narrator and mother in the family. She shares her university experiences and life lessons with her children, framing the novel’s narrative.

Bint: Ummi’s youngest daughter, known for her intelligence and quick wit. She shares her school experiences with her family.

Omar: Ummi’s son who recently gained admission to law school. His new chapter in life prompts Ummi to share her university stories.

Teemah: Ummi’s second child and first daughter, a minor character who listens to the stories of Bint and Ummi.

Jamila: Ummi’s second daughter and another minor character in the story. She, like Teemah, is mainly a listener to the narratives.

Salma: A university student and central character around whom much of the novel revolves. She is characterized by her initial arrogance and pride but undergoes a transformation.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (Dr. Sam): Ummi’s Head of Department at Ahmadu Bello University. He plays a crucial role in Ummi’s admission and is mistakenly thought by Ummi to be making unwelcome advances.

Dr. Dabo: A lecturer at the university who has an uncomfortable encounter with Salma during her registration process.

Talle: Known as ‘the quiet one’ in his community, he later becomes involved in criminal activities, representing the theme of how bad company can corrupt good manners.

Tomiwa: Salma’s roommate from Oyo State, who becomes involved with Habib, a rich politician, and plays a role in Salma’s eventual expulsion.

Ada: Another of Salma’s roommates, from Benue State, who helps resolve conflicts within their group.

Ngozi: Also Salma’s roommate, known for being quiet and focused on her studies.

Habib: A corrupt politician who becomes involved with Tomiwa and later plays a role in Salma’s attempt to bribe the university’s Examination and Ethics Committee.

Hakimi: The district head of Lafayette community, involved in the investigation and arrest of Talle.

Labaran: Habib’s driver and friend, who becomes involved in Salma’s story, especially in her attempt to deal with the aftermath of her expulsion.

Zaki: A character representing social menace, involved in kidnapping and other criminal activities.

Read also: Book review: A comprehensive analysis of ‘The Life Changer’