AFRICA | A brilliant Nigerian lady named Shukurat Opeyemi Abdullahi has made history at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) after graduating with a first-class degree in Accounting and an impressive 4.79 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).
Her exceptional performance earned her the title of Best Graduating Student in both her Department and Faculty, marking a proud moment for the institution.
Shukurat's Story and How She Did It
Shukurat began her academic journey at UNILORIN in 2021 and, through perseverance and consistency, graduated in 2025 with one of the highest CGPAs ever recorded in her faculty. Reflecting on her achievement, she shared that her journey was one that she did not envision the way it ended.
“I was never the first in my class from 100 level,” she wrote on LinkedIn. “But I graduated as the Best Graduating Student — not just in my department, but in the entire Faculty of six departments.”
For Shukurat, her success was not an overnight event but the result of discipline, late nights, self-doubt, and faith. She stated that her story is one of steady growth and determination.
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During her undergraduate years, she achieved several remarkable feats that set her apart from her peers.
She became a Chartered Accountant while still a student of the University of Ilorin, a rare accomplishment that reflects her exceptional commitment to academic and professional excellence.
Her outstanding results also earned her national recognition, as she was named 3rd Overall Best in the ATS 2 Examination and Overall Best in Financial Reporting in Nigeria (Skills Level) by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
Beyond this, Shukurat earned the Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA) certification, a globally recognized credential that demonstrates her expertise in financial analysis, modeling, and valuation.
She also represented UNILORIN at the 2023 CFA Equity Research Challenge organized by the CFA Society Nigeria, showcasing her analytical and leadership abilities on a national stage.
Her leadership and service extended beyond academics. She served as General Secretary and later as Head of Global Operations at The Investment Society, University of Ilorin.
She also contributed as part of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform (Student Secretariat) for the Government of Nigeria, reflecting her growing influence in the finance and policy space.
Alongside these achievements, Shukurat was a volunteer, mentor, and teacher, inspiring younger students to strive for excellence.
She also completed multiple internships in top finance and consulting firms, further honing her professional skills. Currently, she is pursuing the AFM (Advanced Financial Modeler) certification to strengthen her global credentials.
Looking back, Shukurat believes that excellence is less about natural brilliance and more about consistency and growth.
“Excellence is not about being the smartest in the room. It’s about consistency, resilience, and impact,” she wrote.
She ended her message with words of encouragement to students who may feel uncertain about their progress. “You don’t have to be first from day one; just make sure you never stop growing. Stay hungry. Stay humble. Keep pushing,” she said.
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