At the end of the 2022/2023 academic session, three indigenes of Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo state have emerged as the best-graduating students of the three major departments in the Faculty of Management Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS).
The students, Olatunbosun Usman Adeyinka, Adisa Abeeb Olalekan and Adisa Muhammad who were from the same family achieved the great academic feat by bagging first-class honors from the department of Accounting, Business Administration and Public Administration respectively.
The first person among the trio who made it with first-class, having Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.72 was Olatunbosun of the department of Accounting, a native of Ibadan born and brought up in Owode Academy Area of Ibadan city.
Olatunbosun secured admission to UDUS in the year 2018, believing that what he achieved was predetermined by God, crowned with persistent efforts.
“You will all agree that there’s destiny and fate, so I can just say it’s fate or it’s been destined already. Regardless, there is commitment and dedication because it’s not easy at all to start with first-class from 100-level to 400-level. Alhamdulilah Robil’alameen,” he said.
Olatunbosun recounted the surmountable challenges he faced during his undergraduate studies which threatened his academic pursuit. He said during his 100-level, school fee was one of his obstacles which he was unable to pay till the school released a circular for late registration. “I was devastated and bemused whether to continue reading or I should drop out of school that same year. However, with the help of Almighty Allah, I was able to pay my tuition fees before the circular elapsed.”
Olatunbosun further added that, the achievement of having a CGPA of 4.72/5.00 could not have been possible but he set a goal for himself so as to graduate with the best result. Advising his fellow students, he said the students should remember that what’s worth doing is worth doing well. And a stay in the university is of limited period of time, adding that they should do the right thing at the right time.
Adisa Abeeb Olalekan of Yemetu Adeoyo, Ibadan was the second among the trio to bag first-class with a CGPA of 4.56 from the department of Business Administration, becoming the best-graduating student of the department. “I’m very happy to make it with a first-class honor. It’s not easy but with the help of Almighty God I was able to achieve this,” he appreciated.
Despite his achievement, Adisa narrated how he juggled extracurricular activities with his academics, though not deterring his performance. “It took away my reading time. You know, when you double as the president of two different associations, you have to do extra work, different engagements, it’s so tasking,” he said.
According to Abeeb, he said one of the challenges he faced was in 300-level, when he was not happy with his result after scoring low grades in five courses, which pushed him to do extra work in 400-level.
“Attaining this feat is possible for me because I know myself. I know when I can read and assimilate. As an average learner, I used to start my reading from the very first week of my resumption. I could recall that during my 100-level days, you would hardly see me at the hostel or around the school environment. Everytime is ‘boko’ (reading). Glory be to Almighty God. It pays off at the end,” he said.
Adisa advised the undergraduates never to lose focus and also engage in extracurricular activities, affirming that it will not stop them from achieving their goals.
Also, Adisa Muhammed, the third brother who graduated with first-class in the department of Public Administration, rounded it with 4.71 CGPA.
Amidst his commendable performance, he also served as the president of the departmental association — National Association of Public Administration Students (NAPAS) during his academic sojourn. Like his brothers, being a native of Ibadan, Oyo state. Adisa was also brought up in Yemetu, Adeoyo in Ibadan. He narrated vividly how he climbed the academic ladder with success.
“My journey to attain a first-class degree was characterized by both triumphs and challenges. I navigated through these by understanding my academic environment and my personal strengths. I adopted a disciplined study routine, utilizing daytime hours effectively and resting adequately at night,” he explained.
He added that financial constraints, particularly during his first and final years as an undergraduate posed a significant challenge to him. “Despite these obstacles, I maintained a positive outlook and remained grateful for God’s guidance throughout.”
He also advised undergraduate students to prioritize self-awareness and approach their academic pursuits with diligence and determination.