AFRICA | A brilliant Nigerian man bags first-class degree in Chemistry, wins best student award.
A brilliant Nigerian man named Iniubong Okon has graduated from the University of Uyo, Nigeria, with a First-Class degree in Chemistry, achieving an impressive 4.52 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).
His exceptional performance earned him the prestigious award of Best Graduating Student in his department. Sharing his story on LinkedIn, Okon reflected on an academic journey that transformed from uncertainty to excellence.
Okon began his undergraduate studies in 2019 with a hesitant mindset. His dream had always been to study Pharmacy, a goal he pursued through three unsuccessful Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) attempts
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When he received admission to study Chemistry, it was not what he had envisioned, and he initially planned to switch to Pharmacy after his first year—provided he achieved a high CGPA.
Okon excelled in his first year, earning a CGPA of 4.55 and recognition as the best student in his class. Encouraged by this performance, he sought advice from his examination officer about switching departments.
However, during their discussion, he reconsidered his decision. The process of switching could delay his academic progress by a year and was not guaranteed to succeed.
His examination officer’s insightful words—“You have already shown excellence in one year as the best in your class; this means you have what it takes to stand out in this field”—resonated deeply.
The officer even humorously added, “The department will not be willing to let go of the best student of a particular class.” Okon ultimately decided to stay in the Chemistry program, shifting his focus to mastering the field.
In his first year, Okon found Chemistry courses challenging and often doubted whether he was suited for the program, despite excelling in borrowed courses. By his second year, as the number of Chemistry courses increased, he made a conscious effort to confront his struggles.
He began re-learning Chemistry from its fundamentals, revisiting his first-year notes and textbooks to build a solid foundation for future success.
This phase of his journey taught him invaluable lessons about perseverance, dedication, and self-awareness. He realized that success in any field requires passion, adaptability, and a willingness to evolve.
Despite personal challenges that temporarily impacted his academic performance, Okon drew inspiration from the achievements of past best-graduating students. Their stories motivated him to persevere, and he was proud to replicate their success.
Okon actively participated in knowledge-based conferences, seminars, and awareness programs, which broadened his understanding of Chemistry and its applications. He also joined student communities that emphasized leadership, teamwork, and self-development.
These experiences not only enriched his academic journey but also instilled a deeper sense of purpose and motivation.
Reflecting on his journey, Okon described it as a transformative experience marked by periods of uncertainty, growth, and ultimate triumph. He emphasized that excellence is not solely the result of innate talent but rather the culmination of dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Okon expressed profound gratitude to God for the grace to stay stable throughout his journey. He also thanked his parents and family members for their unwavering support, his friends who stood by him from start to finish, and his amazing lecturers for nurturing his growth and challenging his limits.
As he transitions into the next phase of his life, Okon remains committed to learning, unlearning, and building connections both within and beyond his field. He looks forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, ready to make an impact in his chosen path.
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