By Zaynab Adesina
* The young Muslimah’s achievements celebrated at the University’s 56th convocation
Bright young Muslim lady, Miss Maryam Adedolapo Oso has been crowned the Best Graduating Student of the Faculty of Law at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for the 2024/2025 academic session, capping an outstanding academic journey.
Miss Oso, who graduated with a First Class degree in Law, recorded an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.61, distinguishing herself among her peers at the end of her rigorous academic programme.
The brilliant law graduate was consequently honoured during the University’s convocation ceremonies held on Wednesday, January 21, where she received accolades and commendation from the university management, faculty members, colleagues and guests who gathered to celebrate academic excellence.
Her emergence as the Best Graduating Student was greeted with loud applause and admiration from the audience, as many described her achievement as a testament to discipline, resilience and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Miss Oso’s journey into the legal profession was inspired by her early childhood exposure to the courtroom environment in Ibadan, where her grandmother worked at the State High Court. Her admiration for the legal profession, nurtured from a young age, eventually translated into an academic dream that culminated in her exceptional performance at UNILAG.
Speaking on her achievement, the highly elated Miss Oso described the honour as surreal, expressing deep gratitude to Almighty Allah for the fulfilment of her prayers and years of quiet perseverance. She noted that while she was determined to graduate with a First Class degree, emerging as the Best Graduating Student was a divine gift she consistently prayed for.
In addition to her academic excellence, Miss Oso is also recognised for her disciplined lifestyle, strong faith, collaborative learning approach and commitment to personal development, qualities which she said helped her navigate the intense competition associated with studying law.
Background and Motivation for Studying Law
My decision to study law was shaped by my early exposure to the High Court environment in Ibadan, where my grandmother worked. Living with her allowed me to observe the legal profession closely, and I grew to admire lawyers, particularly the dignity symbolised by the wig and gown. This admiration gradually became a clear career ambition. My grandmother also sold books around the High Court premises, which further strengthened my interest in the legal profession and made law a natural choice for me.
Experience as Best Graduating Student
Graduating as the Best Graduating Student of my faculty feels surreal and deeply fulfilling. From the onset, my goal was to graduate with a First Class degree; emerging as the Best Graduating Student was not something I actively pursued but something I quietly prayed for. Alhamdulillah, it came to pass. I feel grateful and fulfilled, as though many of the prayers I made in sajdah are manifesting. The journey taught me that while effort is important, true success comes from patience, reliance on Allah and trusting His process.
Academic Performance and Strategy
I graduated with a CGPA of 4.61, which I maintained by consistently striving to improve on my performance each semester. This required disciplined study, increased reading and intensified prayers, especially in a highly competitive academic environment. I also prioritised a structured routine that balanced my responsibilities as a student and a Muslim. Study groups, regular practice with past questions and assisting others were crucial to my success, as collaborative learning helped deepen my understanding. I learnt that academic excellence is cumulative and that meaningful progress comes from both intentional study and shared learning experiences.
Challenges Faced During Law School
I faced a number of challenges during my time at UNILAG, both personal and academic. One of the toughest was during my first year at the university (year 2 for me as a Direct Entry student), when I couldn’t secure accommodation on campus. Coming from a comfortable setup at OAU, adjusting to living far from school was stressful and exhausting. Alhamdulillah, I eventually met Maryam Lawal, who helped me secure a place to stay. That experience taught me that your circumstances shouldn’t limit your goals and that with patience and planning, you can create a routine that works for you.
Another challenge was the competitive environment and keeping up with brilliant peers. I set high standards for myself, aiming to produce scripts that could serve as benchmarks for exams. This pushed me to read extensively, consult multiple sources, and constantly improve my understanding.
Balancing academics with a rounded university life was also a challenge. Initially, my life was triangular – class, library, and mosque. Over time, I realised the importance of extracurricular activities and creating memories outside of academics. Developing time management skills allowed me to engage in activities beyond the library while still maintaining academic excellence.
Study Techniques and Routines
My study approach evolved over different semesters, but some techniques remained consistent. Class attendance was foundational. I never missed lectures and made detailed notes, which helped in answering problem questions by highlighting what lecturers emphasized.
Study groups were crucial. I participated actively in peer review sessions, where discussing past questions and hearing different perspectives helped me strengthen my understanding. I didn’t rely on paid tutorials; instead, I valued intentional collaboration with like-minded peers.
Timed practice was another key technique. I regularly wrote problem questions under time constraints to improve speed and accuracy, ensuring I could complete exams without leaving questions unanswered.
Consulting multiple sources also helped me excel. I used textbooks as primary sources and external cases for deeper insight. I engaged lecturers with questions to clarify doubts, which gave me a clearer understanding of what they expected in exams.
Finally, I trained myself to respond to spontaneous questions. Being asked about topics on the spot sharpened my recall and kept me intellectually alert.
Above all, I learned the value of generosity with knowledge. Sharing insights and helping others not only strengthened my learning but also reminded me that knowledge grows when it is shared.
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