A determined Nigerian Lady named Perpetual Uchechi has proven that resilience and hard work can overcome even the toughest financial obstacles.
Perpetual graduated from the University of Port Harcourt(UniPort), Nigeria, with a First Class degree in Plant Science and Biotechnology, earning an outstanding 4.88/5.00 cumulative grade point average.
Her remarkable performance also earned her recognition as the Best Graduating Student in her department, alongside multiple academic awards, despite juggling business with her studies.
Perpetual's Story and How She Did It
Perpetual’s academic journey was not an easy one. She lost her father shortly after her Junior Secondary Certificate Exams, which almost caused her to drop out of secondary school, but she was rescued by a scholarship from her school’s proprietress.
After her high school studies, she could not proceed immediately and had to spend two years at home due to financial constraints. She later took a leap of faith, wrote JAMB, and gained admission into UNIPORT.
At UNIPORT, she was offered Plant Science and Biotechnology, a course she had not originally applied for.
Though initially she was unfamiliar with the field, Perpetual later found inspiration in young female lecturers who excelled in the discipline. Their example motivated her to pursue excellence.
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Unlike many students with steady allowances, Perpetual had none. In her early years at the university, she depended on support from her mother, aunt, church, friends, and relatives, but it was inconsistent.
To survive, learned to bake and sold baked goods part-time, offered academic services using a borrowed laptop, sold various items to generate daily income, and also prepared and sold popcorn in lecture halls during her final year.
Fortunately, she also received the Shell Joint Venture Scholarship in 2019, which she described as a lifesaver. Without it, she might have withdrawn in Year 3 due to financial pressure.
Her mother’s small akara (bean cake) business also contributed in whatever way possible. Despite juggling academics, business, and religious commitments, Perpetual maintained academic excellence.
She attributed her success to Understanding her study habits, being an early-morning reader, making concise summaries to improve retention, e ffective time management, a sking questions from lecturers and classmates and relying on faith and prayer.
By graduation, she had achieved the highest CGPA in her department. internship at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching and Demonstration Farm, published thesis with the support of her supervisor, certification in Virtual Assistance from ALX Africa and mentorship of over 60 students
She also served in leadership roles, including as Assistant General Secretary and Year One Coordinator of The Apostolic Church Students’ Fellowship of Nigeria (UNIPORT chapter), while leading academic teams during practical sessions and research projects.
Looking ahead, Perpetual hopes to pursue a Master’s degree in Plant Breeding, focusing on improving crops for pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance, higher yield and enhanced nutritional value.
She is open to postgraduate opportunities in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Europe.
“By God’s favour, hard work, and determination irrespective of limitations, whatever you set your mind to achieve, you will definitely get it,” she says refelecting on her journey.
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