AFRICA | Young man who worked as a gateman and teacher to pay his school fees finally graduates, bags bachelors degree with 4.58 first-class
A young Nigerian man, Balogun Emmanuel Olorunfemi, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology with a first-class CGPA of 4.58 from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria.
Celebrating his achievement, Emmanuel reflected on the immense challenges he faced during his academic journey, expressing gratitude for his resilience and the support he received along the way.
In an interview with Legit, Caleb shared his early achievements. “I never expected to score as high as 339/400. I just wanted to do well. That score remained the highest in my school, unbroken even seven years later.
Join any of these WhatsApp Groups to receive more good news on WhatsApp
”Post-UTME result was another highlight—I scored 96%, answering 24 out of 25 questions correctly. I only missed one question due to an error in the options provided,” he added. These early successes set the stage for his remarkable university journey, where he continued to excel in even the most challenging courses.
Caleb’s journey was not without obstacles. Balancing academic excellence with leadership responsibilities tested his resilience. In his third year, he was appointed president of his fellowship, a role that demanded significant time and dedication.
Financial difficulties also posed challenges, but Caleb persevered. “Balancing leadership and academics was tough. As fellowship president, I had to sacrifice time, but I delegated tasks to my supportive team when necessary.
Financial struggles were another challenge, but scholarships, like those from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund and a joint venture between the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Chevron Nigeria Limited, provided relief.
Caleb attributes his success to discipline, effective study habits, and the support of mentors. He shared his strategies for academic excellence.
“Active recall and spaced repetition were game-changers. Active recall involves testing oneself rather than passively reading, while spaced repetition strategically spaces out review sessions,” Caleb said.
”I used the Anki software for these techniques religiously from my third year onwards. Studying past exam papers was also crucial, as they helped me understand the exam format and focus on important topics,” he added.
He also emphasized the importance of mentorship. “I had seniors who guided me and shared useful materials. Their advice was instrumental to my success.”
Caleb’s exceptional academic record earned him prestigious scholarships and recognition as the best graduating student in his department. Now, he dreams of becoming a world-class engineer and is planning to further his education abroad.
Caleb encourages students to adopt an excellence mindset. “Believe in your potential and experiment with different study methods until you find what works best. Start early and focus on achieving great results. Discipline, faith, and hard work are key. I’m rooting for you!”he said.
Receive Scholarship Updates through our Social Media Channels:
- WhatsApp: Scholarship Region WhatsApp
- Facebook: Scholars Region
- Twitter: @scholarsregion
- Telegram: Scholarship Region