* Gets N2.5m prize money from Ogun Govt
– I coordinated MSSN activities while in school during the week and hustle at weekends
A young Nigerian Muslim scholar, Abdul-Lateef Adedamola Adedeji, who defied all odds as a child, has emerged the overall best student at the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Abdul-Lateef Adedeji, bagged 4.91 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) to emerge as the highest ever made in the history of the foremost University of Education from Mathematics Department, and won N2.5m the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun’s prize for Best Graduating Student for the 2023/24 academic session.
In this interview, Scholar Adedeji, who was nurtured by his grandma until she died in 2015, shared his academic sojourn to success with Muslim News’ Abdul-Mumin Abdul-Quadir. Excerpts…
Can we meet you?
I’m Abdul-Lateef Adedeji, a graduate of Mathematics Department, Tai Solarin University of Eduction, with 4.91 CGPA, the highest in the history of TASUED, and Best Graduating Student for 16th Convocation Ceremony, held on Wednesday 27th November, 2024.
Give us a brief about your educational background
I had my NCE from College of Education, Ilemona, via Offa Kwara State in 2016, through 2019, before applying for my degree programme.
What informed your choice of TASUED for academic pursuit?
As I said earlier, I concluded my NCE programme in 2019. So, by 2021, I was really bothered having spent two years at home knowing that I had so much ahead of me. I was eager to gain admission having failed to secure admission the previous year. I made TASUED my second choice, but after the screening, I obtained a Change of Institution form.
Talking about Mathematics, it was a subject I dreaded earlier in life. So, I gave it so much time and energy when I was about writing JAMB. Hence, it gradually became a part of me. So, when I wanted to do my NCE, I applied for Chemistry/Computer Science, but was offered Computer Science/Mathematics. It was during my NCE that I fell in love with the teaching of Mathematics, as such, I chose Mathematics for my degree programme.
What were your expectations when you got to TASUED as a freshman?
I started following John Obidi on Facebook in 2019, and he stresses the essence of graduating with a first class honours. So, I had made up my mind that I would make a first class in 2020, before I was offered admission.
Interestingly, Mr Oyelade Eriwa, a lecturer in my department, invited us to his office after my first exam. He engaged us in a scholastic convo, and I told him about my goal. He then advised that I work towards being the BGS. He motivated me and shared his personal experiences.
I saw the light in his proposition, and started working towards it. Thank God the rest is history.
How will you describe your experience in TASUED?
My experience in TASUED was full of ups and downs, just the way it is everywhere.
However, I’ll say I’m a beneficiary of the magnanimity and familial bond in Mathematics Department. Lecturers in Mathematics Department are fathers and mothers, who supported students like they did to their biological children. My department is a family house in which you could walk into any lecturer’s office and pour out your mind.
These are people who are interested in you, and are ready to invest in you beyond mere classroom teaching. I’m not even sure I would have reached the feat I attained in Mathematics Department if it were to be elsewhere.
In essence, the kind of student-to-student and student-lecturer relationship that exists in my department was also very instrumental to my success story.
So, regardless of all the hardships that I experienced, the strong support system in the department kept my head high. My lecturers took longer route on many occasions, just to drive when I had financial constraints. That was because I stayed down town.
What kept you going during the trying times?
One major thing that got me going was my reason from the outset. I’m from a very humble background. I know how rough and tough life had been for me and resolved to make a difference for myself and raise a good family. So, I know I needed to create a better future for us all. I know I don’t have any inborn talents or skill that I could bank on, as such, I believed academic excellence was my trump card. So, I wasn’t going to give in to chances.
That aside, I also enjoyed the support of my lecturers and camaraderie extended by colleagues. I had two would be Best Graduating Students mentor me in my penultimate year. So, to whom much is given, much is expected.
Aside from academic endeavours, do you indulge in extracurricular or religious activities on campus?
Yes, I participated in extracurricular activities as an undergraduate. Aside that, I was also involved in training of teachers on EduTech. I didn’t really have someone I absolutely depend on for my financial needs. So, I had to be on the move. I set out for Lagos almost every weekend to train teachers on how they could harness technology in the classroom.
I was also appointed as Coordinator for College of Science and Information Technology COSIT, by MSSN TASUED, during my final year. Those are the major non-academic commitments I had as an undergraduate.
I wouldn’t say I was really good at multitasking or time management. All I know is I committed myself to one thing at a time. Whenever I was in school, I thought about school and was busy with whatever took me away from school.
In conclusion, whatever I want to do, I gave it my best.
How does it feel to make a record at the premier university of education?
It feels great and special. The feat is special, not the person. Whatever the mind of a man can conceive, he can achieve. Initially, I aspired for 5.0, but some things happened and affected my CGPA, that’s why it ended up coming out with 4.91.
In all, I feel elated. This is a result of hard work or should I say smart work, because hard work alone doesn’t drive home result at times. One must channel requisite energy in the right direction for optimum results.
What prizes, awards or opportunities were you given as the BGS?
To start with, Capital Insurance awarded me N250,000. I also got the school prize N250,000, aside the departmental and college, prizes. The Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun, ably represented by his deputy, also pledged a prize of #2,500,000.
However, I learnt there are some prizes yet to be unveiled.
How does it feel to be on this academic spotlight?
It feels great. It’s been God all the way. It’s a form of motivation to me, and to someone out there.
What next after TASUED?
It’s been about three years now that I’ve been training teachers on Ed Tech. So, I’d like to work greatly on my brand and do great things on the project.
However, I’m open to training and internships. I really want to learn and gain hands-on experience, in a well-to-do Ed Tech organisation.
I also look forward to bagging my Master’s degree and PhD, within a span of 7 years.
Who or what would you say contributed to your academic success in TASUED?
I’ll say my HOD, Dr Christopher Loyinmi, is the number one. Mr Eriwa planted the seed before travelling out of the country, to further his studies, but my HOD and other lecturers watered and weeded it till it germinated and flourished, like I said earlier.
I can’t underestimate the God factor as well. I’m a Muslim, and I pray, but aside that, I have the habit of communicating my aspirations with God. Without God, this wouldn’t have been possible.
Moreover, my reasons won’t let me relent. I was too afraid and ashamed to let some people down.
