AFRICA | A determined Nigerian man named Oyetunji Akinola Samuel has achieved an extraordinary academic feat after working as a printer to sponsor himself through school.
He graduated from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) with a First-Class degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, finishing with an impressive 4.75/5.00 cumulative grade point average.
His story is one of rejection, redirection, resilience, and remarkable academic success—a clear demonstration of scholarly excellence and the power of faith, hard work, and purpose.
Samuel's Story and How He Did It
Samuel’s path to Engineering was filled with so many challenges. In 2017, fresh out of secondary school, he dreamed of studying Medicine.
He scored 238 in JAMB and applied to the University of Ibadan (UI). With 48/100 in Post-UTME, he was denied admission—his first major setback. Not giving up, he tried again.
In 2018, he secured a much better 302 in JAMB, scored 64 in UI’s Post-UTME, and felt hopeful. But instead of Medicine, Samuel was offered Zoology, which he accepted with the hope of transferring later.
Only after resuming at UI did he discover a painful truth that Zoology students could not transfer to any department. He felt stuck, discouraged, and unsure of where his life was going.
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Confused and overwhelmed, Sameul turned to prayer. In seeking clarity from God, one answer echoed strongly: to study Engineering. But pursuing this new calling came with another challenge: convincing his parents, who wanted him to stay in Medicine.
One day, while working on the farm with his father, he gathered the courage to speak. His father paused, breathed deeply, and spoke words that changed everything: “As your parents, we can only give counsel. We can’t force you to do what you’re inspired to do.”
With this affirmation, he became even more determined to rewrite his story through Engineering. n 2019, he wrote JAMB again and scored 269, a result that felt below expectations.
Some of the students he had personally trained even scored higher. Still, he held onto his purpose.Samuel applied to FUTA for Civil Engineering, scored 64 in Post-UTME, and hoped for the best.
Then, one Wednesday morning during exams at UI, he checked his portal “Admission in Progress.” A dream come true for him. He completed his 100-level at UI, withdrew, and moved to FUTA—finally aligning with what he believed was God’s purpose for his life.
Just before leaving UI, a seemingly ordinary moment changed his life direction. After helping many students make a ₦1,000 Remita payment, he discovered a talent for solving practical problems.
In January 2020, with support from mentors, he started selling mobile data. By the end of his 100-level in FUTA, he had saved enough to buy a 3-in-1 printer and a 3.5kva generator, launching a printing business from his room.
In 2021, he registered his first business, SIRMTECH EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT AND DIGITAL SERVICES. This was the beginning of a thriving entrepreneurial journey.
Alongside academics and business, he served actively in ministry at the Anglican Student Fellowship (ASF), rising to leadership roles. He juggled his studies as a business owner and active member in the church.
Despite the pressure, he excelled, thanks to discipline, faith, and a strong support system of classmates. His academic performance consistently reflected scholarly excellence.
However, he faced another challenge. In November 2023, during his third year, he had a fatal accident a week before his exams and he was fatally injured. With tears, pain, and dressing wounds between study sessions, he still wrote all his tests and exams.
He emerged with a perfect 5.00 GPA that semester. A result he calls his testimony of God’s faithfulness. By 2024, his business had expanded.
SIRMTECH moved to a larger space, rebranded, and became a Limited Liability Company
Through all this, he maintained his academic strength, his faith, and his commitment to ministry, serving as Drama Coordinator
He ends his journey by sharing powerful lessons that reflect everything he has lived through. Samuel believes closed doors are often divine redirections and that faith is not complete without taking bold steps.
His experiences taught him that trials are not the end—they are the raw materials for future testimonies. With God’s help, he learned he could excel in academics, business, and ministry at the same time, proving that even the smallest beginnings can grow into something great when you trust the process.
To anyone facing rejection, confusion, or unexpected delays, Sameuel wants them to understand that setbacks do not define them, and uncertainty does not mean failure.
Every challenge he encountered was preparing him for the victory he now celebrates, and he believes the same can be true for anyone willing to keep moving with faith.
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