Brilliant Nigerian student and hijab-wearing Muslimah, Safiyyah Temitope Ismaeel of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, has emerged as the Best Graduating Student of her faculty after graduating with an outstanding cumulative grade point average of 4.91 out of 5.00.
The exceptional graduate also recorded a perfect 5.0 CGPA in two academic sessions and received 20 academic awards and prizes in recognition of her outstanding performance across several departments and professional bodies.
The awards include Best Graduating Student in Pharmacology, Best Graduating Student in Clinical Pharmacy, Best Graduating Student in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Best Graduating Student in Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Most Pharmaco Ethical Female Student, and Best Graduating Female Award by the Association of Lady Pharmacists.
She also received the First Class Award, Abacha Muhammad Award, BioRaj Award, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences UDUS Pharmacist Alumni Award, Pharmaceutical Students of Nigeria Award, and Pharmaceutical Students of Nigeria Kebbi State Award.
Other recognitions include the Top 20 Most Influential Student Award, Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia Award, Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria Award, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Alumni Award, Board of Fellows Award, and the Faculty of Pharmacy Best Graduating Student Award, alongside other cash prizes and merit recognitions.
Safiyyah, a hijab-wearing Muslimah and daughter of renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ismael Busayri, has emerged as the Best Graduating Student of Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Usmanu Danfodiyo University.
* She bags over 20 awards, graduates with 4.91 CGPA#UDUS #Hijab pic.twitter.com/dQtvWcdw89
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) April 17, 2026
‘I chose Pharmacy out of passion, not pressure’
In an exclusive interview with Muslim News, Ismaeel, while reflecting on her academic journey, said she began her university education with a determination to study Pharmacy out of passion rather than pressure.
She said, “I started this journey with the thought that I wanted to study Pharmacy not because of pressure, but because I knew it would bring out my potential.”
According to her, she did not initially set out to become the best graduating student, but that ambition developed after she recorded a perfect CGPA in her first year.
“I did not think of being the best in my class at first. I just wanted to be excellent. But when I had a perfect CGPA in 100 level, I set a goal that I wanted to graduate with 5.0,” she said.
Consistency kept me at the top
Ismaeel explained that although some people discouraged her by saying the goal was impossible, she remained focused and refused to allow negativity to weaken her determination.
“Whenever I mentioned it, people said it was not possible in this school, but I tried as much as possible to shut out the negativity,” she said.
In a remarkable display of excellence and determination, Safiyyah Ismaeel, a #hijab wearing Muslimah & scion of renowned Islamic scholar Sheik Ismaeel Busayri, emerged as the Best Graduating Student of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. pic.twitter.com/3zv5t8UBLU
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) April 18, 2026
She maintained a strong academic record throughout her five years in the university and remained the best student in her class in almost every session.
According to her, consistency played a major role in her success.
“I made sure I maintained the consistency from the beginning to the end. A bad result can affect anyone, but because I had a strong background, I was not affected much,” she said.
‘It was all Allah,’ says award-winning graduate’
Ismaeel said the encouragement and expectations from people around her after her outstanding 300 level result also motivated her to keep pushing for excellence.
“People from other faculties hailed me for having a 5.0, and I felt I did not want to disappoint them. Over time, I just knew I could be the best and I wanted to be,” she said.
She stressed the importance of starting strong academically, noting that her solid performance in the early years helped her maintain a high CGPA even when some later courses were challenging.
“It is important to have a strong beginning because it really helped me,” she said.
Despite her academic brilliance, Ismaeel attributed her achievements to the grace of Allah, saying divine favour was the greatest factor behind her success.
“It was all Allah. It was not by my power. There were people in my class who were as good as I was, or even better, but Allah favoured me,” she said.
She explained that she remained spiritually conscious throughout her academic journey, constantly seeking Allah’s guidance and strength.
“I always tried as much as possible to include Allah in my journey. I would always remind myself that I could not do it without Him,” she added.
‘Pharmacy gave me purpose and fulfilment’
Speaking on what inspired her to study Pharmacy, Ismaeel said she made the decision after carefully reflecting on her strengths when she was unable to secure admission to study Medicine.
Safiyyah, one of the scions of respected Muslim scholar, Sheikh Ismaeel Busayri, said Pharmacy was the course that best aligned with her abilities and would allow her to maximise her potential.
“One of the courses I knew would give me fulfilment and allow me to explore my potential was Pharmacy, so I chose it willingly and loved every bit of it from the beginning to the end,” she said.
Scholar inspires Muslim students with record-breaking feat
Her remarkable achievement has drawn admiration from students, academics, and members of the Muslim community, with many describing her as a symbol of excellence, consistency, and faith.
Ismaeel’s success story stands as an inspiration to young Nigerians, particularly Muslim students, showing that discipline, determination, and trust in Allah can lead to exceptional academic achievements.
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