Sherifat Oshoala Shines, Bags Distinction in Master’s Degree from UNILAG

• Emerges Best Graduating Student in Mass Communication

• Feat follows first-class undergraduate degree in same field

Oshoala Omosholape Sherifat has bagged a Master’s degree in Mass Communication with an impressive Distinction from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.

Sherifat, a younger sister to Super Falcons player Asisat Oshoala was among the 6,659 students awarded post graduate degrees by the University at the 55th Convocation ceremony held on Thursday, January 16.

This feat comes barely four years after the beautiful Muslimah in hijab bagged a first class honours during her first degree, emerging Best Graduating Student in Mass Communication (Broadcast). 

In an interview with Muslim News, the promising content creator, newscaster and anchor attributed her feats to Almighty Allah, saying that without Him, she would not have graduated with distinction.

Describing her feelings, Ms Oshoala said, “Firstly, AlhamduliLlah Robil Alamin! I’m ecstatic. It feels great to be associated with excellence. This is only possible through the help of Allah. I am grateful that my hard work and resilience is recognized.

Excerpts from her interview…

Having made first-class honours during your first degree, did you see postgraduate distinction coming?

Taking on the Masters programme was a challenging decision as I had questions regarding my readiness but getting in, I had to set my eyes on the bag. So, yes it was a dream. However, this dream of mine later seemed far-fetched as the programme was intensive and demanding. It wasn’t a walk in the park.

Why did you choose Mass Communication again for your postgraduate studies knowing full well there are other related courses you could have explored?

Before my exploration of tech, I never envisaged doing anything other than the media study. I’ve been obsessed with the media since my childhood. I just loved the composure and other nuances that the media entails. If anything, I wanted to pursue a niche in the media – Broadcast Journalism. So, choosing Mass Communication again for my Masters at the time was a no-brainer. In retrospect, I would do that again because I believe this programme gave me a chance to dot my i’s and cross my t’s. It was somewhat like an extension of my undergrad which gave me deeper insights and more robust understanding of the field.

Aside from M.Sc, what other thing(s) have you been occupied with after your first degree?

I’m in my 20s and I strongly believe it’s the best time to actively pursue knowledge, young and be vibrant. I have realized that I have a penchant for knowledge acquisition, especially in structured settings. Following my first degree, I have engaged in grassroots development programmes at the local government level. Also, the spate at which technology is evolving inspired me to explore tech, precisely backend software development and now, IT analysis. I still freelance with my personal media brand – Oshoala.voiced.it to create compelling and engaging digital content. I currently work as an IT analyst for a tech company and my communication background is beyond relevant on the job.

After M.Sc, what next?

I believe academics alone cannot shape you. There’s also the need to broaden my career scope and so, I will be focusing on professional development for a while. This is not to say that I won’t explore more courses along the line but my focus would be on my career.

What advice would you give younger ones who intend to study Mass Communication and those who want to excel in their academics?

I would urge them to aim for a balance between academic excellence and life skills as I like to call them, not mere soft skills. Good grades are important, and I’m all for them! But your academic success has to coexist with soft skills like communication, presentation, critical thinking, networking, among others. These are life skills that will serve you not just professionally but in everyday situations too.

Take advantage of your time in school to develop these skills. Trust me, it’s a gentler space to learn and grow. Don’t let fear hold you back. Ask that question in class, even if you’re unsure, volunteer for roles, even when you feel nervous. Push yourself, because these experiences will set you apart.

So, while you’re chasing good grades, which you definitely should – do not forget to also build yourself. The combination of strong academics and life skills is what will truly make you excel.

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