Uthman Uthman Olayode stood tall and proud on Friday as he was celebrated as the Best Graduating Student of Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan for the 2023/2024 academic session. But behind the accolades is a story of resilience, faith, and triumph over repeated setbacks.
At the combined convocation ceremony for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic years, Olayode revealed that he failed the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) five times before finally gaining admission.
“Despite excelling in secondary school, I faced repeated setbacks in gaining admission to a higher institution and had to sit for the UTME five times,” he shared.
Each failed attempt, he said, was “a heavy blow,” as he watched friends move ahead while he remained behind. But Olayode held onto hope.
“Delays are not denials,” he declared. “On my fifth attempt, God showed me that the wait was not in vain.”
That fifth time came with a breakthrough: a scholarship to study Physics with Electronics, a course he admitted was challenging and rigorous.
A Track Record of Excellence
Once admitted, Olayode didn’t just participate—he excelled. Over the course of his degree, he earned a stunning 55 As and only 2 Bs, achieving a perfect 5.0 GPA in six out of eight semesters, including five consecutive semesters.
His brilliance earned him multiple scholarships, including:
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Federal Government Scholarship Award (FSB) – awarded in both 300 and 400 levels
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MTN Foundation Scholarship
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Oyo State Bursary for final year students
More Than Academics
Despite his academic load, Olayode also served as the Ameer (leader) of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) at the university.
“Leadership came with late-night meetings, responsibilities, and travel,” he said, “but I still maintained an excellent academic record.”
He described his leadership experience as proof that “serving a higher purpose and sacrificing for a noble cause does not hinder one’s progress—it propels it forward.”
A Dream Realized
Addressing the convocation audience, which included dignitaries like Governor Seyi Makinde (represented by Deputy Governor Adebayo Lawal) and the Olubadan of Ibadanland (represented by Chief Adegboyega Adegoke), Olayode left the crowd inspired.
“No dream is too big to become a reality, and no background is too humble to be liberated by solid education,” he said.
A Testament of Faith and Grit
Olayode’s journey is more than a personal win—it’s a beacon of hope for anyone who has faced repeated failure, especially students who feel disheartened by academic challenges.
His story is a powerful reminder that persistence pays, and sometimes, the path to greatness requires patience, faith, and unshakable determination.
