AFRICA | A determined young lady named, Adunola Shoge, has defied all odds to graduate with an outstanding 6.40/7.00 CGPA in Ecotourism and Wildlife Management from the University of Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria.
Her exceptional academic performance earned her the university’s Overall Best Graduating Student Award in 2021.
Adunola’s journey to academic success was filled with challenges. For the first ten years of her life, she struggled to assimilate anything in school, a situation that left both her teachers and family frustrated and helpless.
Despite their own limited education, her parents remained determined to provide her with the best opportunities. “I always took the last position in class and heard the word, ‘dullard’ being said at me, that it almost stuck as my name. I was ready to learn but I was not just getting it,” she said.
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Her struggles forced her parents to transfer her to a more affordable school, West African Preparatory School (WAPSCO). However, she had to repeat four classes—starting from Basic One instead of Basic Four. Though she was pained it was a life-changing decision for her.
“The teachers at WAPSCO took their time with me. They handled me with care and started from the very basics—alphabets and numbers. Within two weeks, I had already mastered them and could read a few words. From that moment, my story changed.”
She began to excel academically, moving from barely passing to ranking among the top five students in primary school. She consistently topped her classes throughout secondary school till university.
In 2021, Adunola enrolled in the University of Ibadan with a strong determination—to graduate with a First-Class degree, a promise she had made to her father.
”First class did not just happen; I had badly wanted it and knew I must graduate with a First Class before I resumed at UI. I had always prayed concerning it and promised my dad that I was going to graduate with a First Class and get the best out of my course of study,” she said.
However, financial challenges threatened her goal. ”It did not really bother me until I could not afford a set of textbooks and I had a B in the course. That was when I realized that the absence of finances could deter me from achieving my dream of getting an outstanding result,” she said.
To support herself and her family, Adunola took on multiple jobs while studying. She worked as a cosmetics retailer, housing agent, cleaning agent, and sales representative. In her second year, her CGPA dropped from First-Class to Second-Class Upper because she struggled to balance academics with business.
Despite this setback, Adunola fought hard to regain her First-Class grade in her third year (300 Level) and worked tirelessly to maintain and improve her grades until graduation.
”I was always studying very hard at every single opportunity I got in the university. I read to the extent that reading became my hobby and I ensured to do it every day irrespective of how tired I got or how busy my day was,” she said.
Adunola credits her parents for their unwavering support during her difficult years. ”They gave me their very best support and showed me love when schools rejected me and teachers gave up on me,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to her teachers and academic mentors for guiding her through her university journey. Adunola encourages young students to stay committed, work hard, and believe in their potential.
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