A GRADUATE, FINALLY

I bagged a Bachelor of Technology degree in Biochemistry from the Federal University of Technology Akure on November 17, 2023. This is after many challenging but rewarding years of studying—challenging because the road was filled with new tasks consistently, rewarding because each of those tasks, though sometimes unfamiliar, built me in capacity and also returned with good results. At my convocation, I received five awards from my university:

• Graduating student with the highest CGPA in the Department of Biochemistry
• Graduating student with the highest CGPA in the School of Life Sciences
• Final-year student in SLS with the greatest number of semesters on the Dean’s list
• Best Graduating Female Student in SLS by the Organization for Women in Science for Developing World, OWSD?
• Third-best graduating student in any area of technology innovation at the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

There were principles that patterned my undergraduate days; diligence is one. To say I didn’t work hard would be lying. I gave time to studying—lots of time. I read using methods that I knew worked for me, strategized on realistic short-term goals, and re-strategized per time. When an established technique of studying lost effectiveness, I was flexible enough to adjust and find another way. Again, I always did what I set my mind to do. Because I was committed to other activities outside of studying, I had to be firm in telling others no when necessary, setting my priorities straight.

All my years on FUTA, I can confidently say I competed with myself. It’s always been ‘how I could be better this semester than the last’ and never been ‘how I could be better than another student’. This principle made me competent with self-evaluation; it also made my dreams my first drive and motivation.

It’s not like there weren’t failures; there were just more successes. When I failed a test, scored low in an assignment, or flopped a plan, I didn’t let disappointment keep me down for too long. People see the results, but driving them are many silent stories. There were good days, but almost as many bad days. There were tired nights, confusing seasons, disappointments, and senseless mistakes. In all, I am grateful for every experience that has been relevant in shaping my mind and perspectives.

On this journey, certain figures have been supportive. There is God, who is a consistent source of strength and who always heard my cries before and when I reached the end of myself. There are my parents; they sponsored me financially through school and gave me my moral backbone—they are the best. My elder sister and her husband, Segun Ofe and Precious Chukwunenye , have been financially supportive and have been major examples I look up to in academics. God bless you both. I am grateful for my younger siblings—for their love, encouragement, and everything they do. To my supervisor, Prof. D.M. Sanni , who has been as kind as a father, I say a big thank you. To friends and mentors like Olusola Lawal, PhD. and Mrs. Hannah Popoola-Ajayi , I am very grateful—thank you for guidance, influence, and consistency.

My belief is that in every endeavor, be it educating yourself, setting up a business, or building a skill, if you put in much effort, there will be rewards. There is always a reward for being consistent and diligent in legitimate pursuits. So education is not a scam, at least not the one I have been chasing and will keep chasing, by God’s grace.

Cheers.

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