AFRICA | A brilliant Nigerian man named Monday John has achieved an exceptional academic feat after emerging as the Second Overall Best Graduating Student of the 2025 graduating set of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Monday earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with an outstanding 4.90/5.00 CGPA, graduating with First Class Honours.
He was also inducted into the Graduate Membership cadre of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)—a formal recognition of his scholarly and professional readiness as an engineer.
Monday's Story and How He Did It
Monday’s journey to academic excellence was one of resilience and hard work. In 2017, he sat for the UTME, performed well, yet did not secure admission. Rather than give up, he returned in 2018, this time self-teaching from home, deliberately rebuilding his academic foundation from scratch.
That period of independent learning became a defining phase. Teaching himself how to learn sharpened his discipline, curiosity, and resilience.
Later that year, he gained admission into Mechanical Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, a school he once considered “unattainable.
In a LinkedIn post, Monday recalled that his first day on campus was surreal, not intimidating, but motivating. From the onset, he set a clear goal to graduate with a First Class, even if he was not the best student.
And the commitment earned him high achievement. Semester after semester, his consistency translated into excellence. By the end of his undergraduate journey, he had not only achieved his First Class goal but also surpassed expectations, earning achievement across all levels.
He emerged as the Best Graduating Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Best Engineering Graduate, Faculty of Technology, and 2nd Overall Best Graduating Student of the university.
Monday’s brilliance was consistently recognised through multiple awards and prestigious scholarships, which played a vital role in sustaining his motivation and academic focus.
He was awarded the OAU Stars Award for Best Student in Mechanical Engineering (200, 300 & 400 Levels) three times, and Second Best Final Year Design Project – Mechanical Engineering.
The scholarships Monday received include the NNPC–Chevron & Agbami MEP Scholarship, MTN Foundation Scholarship, and Bet9ja Foundation Scholarship.
At convocation, he also received top departmental prizes, including the West Africa Portland Cement Plc Prize for Best Graduating Student, Mechanical Engineering, and Prof. Mojola’s Prize – Best Graduating Student, Mechanical Engineering.
These recognitions reflect not just high grades but sustained scholarly excellence, innovation, and impact throughout his academic years.
Monday’s final-year project, titled “Design of a Smart Plastic Shredder that Connects to the IoT,” showcased his ability to blend engineering fundamentals with modern technology and sustainability. He expressed deep appreciation to his supervisor and Head of Department, Dr. Adam Muritala, for his guidance and intellectual support.
He also acknowledged several lecturers whose teachings shaped his academic journey, as well as Dr. Olusola Ayoola, who awarded him a cash prize during his NSE induction.
Above all, he credited God, his parents, and siblings for their unwavering belief and support through every phase of the journey.
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