AFRICA | A brilliant Nigerian Lady bags bachelors degree with 4.85/5.00 first-class, sets record as highest CGPA in department’s history
A brilliant Nigerian lady named Zainab Aderinale has made history in the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources Management at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Nigeria.
She graduated with a first-class degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, achieving an outstanding 4.85/5.00 cumulative grade point average—the highest CGPA ever recorded in the department’s history.
Zainab’s exceptional performance earned her notable awards, including the Best Graduating Student in the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources Management award and the Prof. Tayo Fashoyin Prize for the Best Final Year Undergraduate Student in the field.
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Reflecting on her journey, Zainab shared her joy and gratitude on LinkedIn, revealing that her academic pursuit, which began in 2018, was extended due to unforeseen circumstances.
Despite the challenges, she remained resilient, setting a personal goal to graduate with the department’s highest CGPA—a dream inspired by a senior colleague’s achievements.
Zainab excelled not only in her studies but also in extracurricular and professional engagements. She was one of 15 students selected to participate in the 2024 Transnational Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Iowa, in collaboration with UNILAG.
She also represented UNILAG at the University of Economics, Varna, Bulgaria, as part of the Erasmus+ Student Exchange Program, where she achieved a perfect GPA during the semester.
Her internships further enriched her academic journey. She worked as a Corporate Engagement Intern at LAWMA Academy, a Finance and Strategy Intern at Fritova, and a People Strategy Intern at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Additionally, she was an active member of The Investment Society, UNILAG—the largest student finance club in Sub-Saharan Africa—serving as Assistant Performance Manager and Learning & Development Manager.
Zainab holds an Associate Accounting Technician certification (2019) and became a Qualified Accountant in 2021, passing all papers except the case study in one sitting. In 2021, she participated in the Edubridge Academy Analyst Program, which was fully funded by the Beyond-a-Degree Foundation.
She also received the Ruth Titilayo Educational Foundation Scholarship, a Nigerian Federal Government Scholarship, and the CFA Access Scholarship. In 2022, Zainab was one of 15 beneficiaries of Cordros Seed Capital for an investment portfolio.
Zainab held several leadership positions, including Financial Secretary of Moremi Hall, UNILAG, and organizer of impactful programs within the university community. She also championed initiatives that empowered her peers and promoted personal development.
Zainab expressed heartfelt gratitude to her friends, coursemates, lecturers, and course advisors for their unwavering support throughout her academic journey. She also acknowledged The Investment Society and the organizations that believed in her potential as an undergraduate.
Looking ahead, Zainab is eager to explore local and international opportunities in finance, strategy, management consulting, and human resources. She remains committed to leveraging her skills and experiences to create meaningful impacts in her fields.
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