I graduated with a first class in Mass Communication from Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos. My journey started in 2018 at the University of Lagos as a JUPEB (Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board) student, aiming to study Law.
After JUPEB, I was initially offered Mass Communication, which I rejected, and sat for another UTME, scoring 298. I gained admission to read Law, but my studies were repeatedly disrupted by ASUU strikes and later COVID-19. This delayed my progress.
By 2022, I was just starting 200-level. With my mother’s advice, I transferred to Trinity University and switched to Mass Communication. I joined as a 200-level student in October 2022 and completed my degree in June 2025.
How did you feel the moment you realised you had a first class?
I saw my result on July 9, 2025. I was in an office, so I couldn’t express myself fully, but I shed tears and immediately texted my mum. She was overjoyed and later told me she couldn’t contain her excitement, rolling on the floor and thanking God.
That moment was the result of prayers, diligence, and hard work. I can confidently say my mum’s prayers played a huge role—she prayed constantly.
Every semester, whenever I felt an exam hadn’t gone well, I would call her in tears, fearing I might lose my 5.0. She always reassured me, and we would pray together—and each time, God answered. That day, I felt truly triumphant.
At what point did you first realise that academics would play a significant role in shaping your future?
Growing up, I put in only as much effort as I felt I could handle, yet I was still recognised among the best. Over time, I realised I wasn’t reaching my full potential and could achieve more if I truly applied myself. I also discovered that writing came naturally to me.
In senior secondary school, I aimed to be the best in the arts class but didn’t achieve it. I saw university as another opportunity and gained admission into UNILAG to study Law, but getting a B in my first semester was discouraging since I was aiming for straight As.
The COVID period and ASUU strike disrupted everything, and I lost motivation, feeling like my aspirations had slipped away. However, I was given another chance to start over in a different course at another institution. I embraced it as an opportunity to try again—and this time, I succeeded and became the best.
You started your journey through the JUPEB programme. What was that experience like for you at the time?
JUPEB is considered equivalent to A-levels. Although some people see it as simply taking advanced secondary school subjects, it really isn’t the same—it is more demanding and rigorous.
At UNILAG, you have to write a series of in-house tests and exams before the final JUPEB examination, and the school does not provide accommodation. Commuting from home for classes while preparing for tests and exams was quite challenging for me. I had to block out many distractions to maintain good grades.
After completing JUPEB and things did not go as planned, how did you react when you were offered Mass Communication instead of Law?
I felt like my world was crashing down, especially because I had no interest in Mass Communication at the time. I saw it as a course for extroverts, which I believed I wasn’t.
I was someone who preferred staying in my comfort zone and simply minding my business, so I worried the course would push me into uncomfortable situations. My interest was solely in the transactional and advisory aspects of Law, which require little or no courtroom litigation.
You later wrote UTME again and did very well. What motivated you to try again?
Honestly, my decision to write UTME again wasn’t self-driven—it was influenced by family and loved ones. At the time, I felt my JUPEB preparation was enough, so rewriting it seemed unnecessary.
However, I went ahead with it, and when I saw my result, I was surprised at how high I scored despite not being fully prepared. Looking back, I’m grateful for that advice, as it played a key role in shaping where I am today.
Eventually, you gained admission to study law. What were your expectations when you finally began that programme?
My expectations were very high—I looked forward to wearing the black and white, feeling like a law student, and finally living out my dream. I thought I would feel fulfilled starting the programme.
However, the reality was different. Adjusting wasn’t easy, with early classes, unfamiliar terms, and large class sizes that I found challenging. Then, in my first semester, the ASUU strike began, followed by COVID-19. In the end, my experience was far from what I expected.
Unfortunately, the ASUU strikes and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many academic plans.
How did those events affect your studies?
Personally, my zeal for studying dropped significantly. Being away from my books for months at a time without any clear end to the strike was extremely discouraging.
At what point did you begin to feel that the delays were becoming too much?
We all tend to have our lives mapped out—or at least a plan that guides our decisions and the steps we take. Even though life happens, we still have expectations. I finished secondary school at 15, and I thought that by 20, I would be graduating from university.
But at 19, I was still in 200-level first semester. The constant fear of recurring strikes lingered in my mind, and I knew time was passing. At the same time, starting all over somewhere else felt like a stressful journey I wasn’t ready to embark on.
Your mother advised you to move to another university. How difficult was that decision for you?
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