Celebrating Academic Excellence! How Taiwo Bankole, Oyindamola Omotuyi & Daniel Nkemelu Graduated with Perfect CGPAs from 2 Nigerian Universities

The 49th Convocation ceremony (for 2015/2016 graduating students) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) is scheduled to take place between January 23rd and 26th, and two female students, Taiwo Bankole, 21 (from the department of Cell Biology) and Oyindamola Omotuyi, 22 of Systems Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, who finished with a CGPA of 5.0 will be celebrated.

The duo replicated the feat which was achieved by Ayodele Dada from the department of Psycology, who, for the first time ever in the university, graduated with a 5.0 CGPA.

This means they all had As in all courses throughout their stay in the school.

Speaking to Vanguard recently, Omotuyi said she drew inspiration from her father. “My father, an engineer reads all night and I tried to emulate him,” she said.

Omotuyi said that she’s had her own share of academic failures, but she used those as motivation to strive to do, and be better

While in  primary one, I took 11th position in my class and in UNILAG, I had two bad results. A day before the exam of a particular course, I saw  my test result  where I scored 9/30. Before the test, I had read very well, yet, I got 9/30. When I saw it, I was downcast. I asked God what was going on and I cried. That was in 200 level. However, I didn’t let it stop me because I don’t believe in falling and not rising again.

After crying, I met people to brush me up on the course to know what the lecturer really wants and the exam turned out beautifully later.

In another course, I had 5/40 in the test and the highest in the class was 10/40, however, at the end, I scored 70 per cent.

On the secret of her academic success, Omotuyi said:

I read a lot with my classmates, I enjoy learning from everybody irrespective of the level. I am more interested in the knowledge I will get and not CGPA. This is because of the family I come from; my daddy was a scholar who got a scholarship to study in Russia. He is a very strict person in terms of reading. Even at old age, he still reads till day break. I learnt the discipline from him and applied it in school.

Bankole, who also said she didn’t have the best of results pre-university, added that determination made her succeed in UNILAG.

She disclosed that though she had her WASSCE and NECO examination at one sitting,  she took UTME and failed.

“I ended up entering school with direct entry by doing diploma in UNILAG,” she said.

“When I did diploma, my CGPA started from zero in my 200 level. In my degree, when my CGPA rose to 5.0, I decided to maintain it by reading for six hours everyday. I keep my studies interesting and simple. I use the library, I read in my room, I listen attentively in class, and I trust God for success,” she added.

As the University of Ibadan prepares to have its convocation for 2015/2016 students later this year, one scholar will also be honoured having a perfect CGPA of 7.0 (University of Ibadan uses 7-point scale).

His name is Daniel Nkemelu, 24, from the department of Computer Science.

Speaking to Vanguard on how it all happened, Nkemelu said;

It was challenging and interesting. Studying at the University of Ibadan is a rigorous process. My initial intention as a freshman was to do well and hopefully get a First Class result. However, after my first session, I started having loftier dreams… In the end, I was able to achieve it.

Nkemelu, who was born and bred in Ajegunle, Lagos said he “had formal education at school, informal education at home and ‘street education’ on the streets.”

“My WASSCE result was not outstanding but it was fine enough to earn me a place in Yaba College of Technology, where I earned a National Diploma in Computer Science before moving on to the University of Ibadan. I had two distinctions and six credits,” Nkemelu said, adding that he wrote UTME twice, missed out the first time but was admitted to Anambra State University and Yaba College of Technology in his second attempt.

He chose the latter where he graduated as the Overall Best Graduating Student in the National Diploma category for the 2011/12 session.

Nkemelu, who is a freelance web developer also spoke on how he got to where he is today.

My reading pattern was very dynamic. I didn’t have a fixed time or location. My kind of course requires broad understanding of concepts and practical application, so I could spend the whole day programming or reading tech blogs and reviews. I visited the school library occasionally because it was conducive and distraction was minimal. I also held periodic tutorials that made me read in depth, so I could explain properly to others.

His words for young people:

Define what success means to you and give it what it takes. Everyone may not end up as perfect CGPA holders but everyone can excel at something. Be it in leadership, programming, entrepreneurship, public speaking, academics, writing, entertainment and the likes. Be open to learn and do your best to make a difference.

We wish them more successes in all of their endeavours.