Aminat Yusuf and Feyisayo Lopez have emerged as the overall best graduating students at the Lagos State University (LASU) 26th convocation ceremony.
The Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, announced Aminat Yusuf as the best-graduating student with a cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.0 in its 40 years history.
The university said Ms. Yusuf from the Faculty of Law will be rewarded with ₦500,000 cash prize.
The Vice Chancellor of LASU, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who disclosed this in her address at a pre-convocation press briefing on Wednesday, said the ceremony features those who graduated during the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions.
Mrs. Olatunji-Bello noted that the university would graduate 10,183, of which 282 students obtained First Class in different fields.
She explained that while Ms. Yusuf tops the first-class graduates for the 2021/2022 academic session, Feyisayo Lopez from the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine emerged as the best for the 2020/2021 session with a 4.91 CGPA.
The VC said apart from other activities lined up for the event, the convocation lecture titled, “The Impact of Digitalisation on Higher Education in the Digital Age”, will be delivered by the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, on Tuesday, 20 June, 2023.
Mrs. Olatunji-Bello also disclosed that the Executive Secretary would chair the convocation lecture, National Universities Commission (NUC), Abubakar Rasheed, and that the award of diplomas, first degrees, postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees will hold on 21 June.
She further noted in the statement that 121 postgraduate students, who will be awarded doctorate degrees.
She added that the Senate of the University has also conferred “the title of Distinguished Professor on two respected and accomplished academics in the university”.
The professors are Dapo Asaju of the Department of Religious and Peace Studies and Babajide Elemo of the Department of Biochemistry.
Academic development
Highlighting some of the university’s achievements in the last 12 months, Mrs. Olatunji-Bello said the university was ranked the best State University in Nigeria by the AD Scientific Index in 2022 and also secured 96 per cent full accreditation in the 2022 NUC’s accreditation exercise.
“This is a fulfilment of the first strategic goal of this administration, which is to ensure that all academic and professional programmes are and remain accredited by the relevant bodies.
We also secured accreditation for professional programmes being offered in the University from relevant accreditation.”
In an interview with The Nation, Aminat Yusuf, who clocked 23 today, noted that there were financial challenges on the way to achieving the feat, but she was able to weather the storm.
My background
I am from Edo State, Etsako East Local Government Area to be precise.
My parents are Mr. Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf and Mrs. Halimat Danesi Yusuf. I’m their first child.
Challenges encountered
My major obstacle during the undergrad days was basically financial. Legal studies come at a considerable cost. As the first child of my parents and considering our financial situation, I called home only when it was absolutely necessary, after having exhausted all alternatives. Thus, I had for the most part fed on very cheap meals, slept and studied in not so conducive environment. But I wasn’t alone in this. I had friends with similar challenges. So, honestly, these experiences were mostly fun.
Aminat Yusuf: I was determined to make a difference from the get-go and I had the passion to study law. I find legal studies really interesting and engaging. I remained dedicated and consistent with my hard work all through, and I’m grateful to God that all these paid off eventually.
My study routine
Aminat Yusuf: The Faculty Library was my most conducive place of studies, I mostly read all day at the library till it’s closed down at 5pm. With respect to time bound, honestly, I never really kept track of time while studying. But on the average, I could study for two consecutive days, save for the basic hygiene, my prayers, feeding and some few hours of sleep. I enjoy relying on several authoritative textbooks.
Why I chose Law
The drive to always uphold justice and defend the truth in any given circumstances motivated my decision to become a lawyer. This came so natural for me, so much that I was always advised by teachers, even at the primary education level, to study law. Looking back, I must say that this is one of my best decisions.
Bookworm
Aminat Yusuf: Yes, I enjoy reading a lot. I am a bookworm.
I don’t have a boyfriend
No, I did not. The thing is in Islam, dating is not approved. Relationships are only permissible when intended towards marriage. So on that account, I don’t have a boyfriend.
I love technology
Outside the academia, I also have interest in technology.
My involvement in social activities
Rating LASU lecturers
Aminat Yusuf: Truth is, Faculty of Law, LASU has some of the most brilliant minds in academics. Interestingly, my lecturers did their best, no doubt, in grooming me. They were always willing to satisfy my intellectually curious mind. Of course, some of them showed more interest in me through it all.
So, generally speaking, on a ratio of 1-10, I would rate them above average.
Driving force behind performance
Aminat Yusuf: As I said earlier, my main motivation has always been to excel in my studies no matter what. It is my own way of showing gratitude to my parents and mentors for the time and resources they invested in me.
I planned to graduate with a perfect CGPA
Yes, I did intend to graduate with a perfect CGPA upon my admission into LASU, having come in through direct entry. Having graduated from Diploma in Law with CGPA of 4.98/5.0, I was motivated to thrive towards achieving a perfect CGPA at the undergrad level.
Gratitude to my parents
Aminat Yusuf: I’m immensely grateful to them for their dedication and determination towards my education. I believe that the foundation is what matters and my parents did sacrifice so much to ensure that I had a strong educational foundation. I look forward to fulfilling my promise of setting them in a more conducive environment, in their own mansion, with the cars they desire. That’s the least they deserve for all their sacrifices. Above all, I am a proud daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Yusuf.
My dad’s influence on my academics
Aminat Yusuf: My dad has more influence on my academics. He guided me and taught me all through my childhood. He was also very much involved in strictly scrutinising my performance during my secondary school days. I attended boarding house at Alhikmat College and every time I came home, he reviewed all my notes and even exam scripts very strictly. He was also actively involved with school activities and always communicated his distaste to the school authorities when he wasn’t satisfied with my performance.
Assessment of Nigerian students and tertiary education in the country
Aminat Yusuf: Nigerian students have got indomitable spirit really. But, of course, given the parlous state of affairs in the country, in order to excel, they have to do a lot more work compared to their counterparts elsewhere. Tertiary education, generally speaking, is not where it should be right now. I think the government hasn’t done enough to encourage the students and the lecturers most especially. I was amongst the few lucky ones who didn’t have to suffer any stay-at-home as a result of strikes by federal universities. A situation where lecturers go on strikes, and you have a government not bothered about it at all doesn’t speak well.
Ranking LASU among other state universities
Aminat Yusuf: I would rank Lagos State University as the best state university in Nigeria. In fact, in a 2021 ranking, the university was ranked by Times Higher Education as the best young university in Nigeria.
How new administration can reposition education
Aminat Yusuf: First and foremost, I will like to give kudos to President Bola Tinubu for the Students Loan policy he just put in place. However, there is a lot that still needs to be done to address the ugly situation in terms of funding, enhanced reward system to mention just a few. With a few exceptions, most of our public schools from early childhood education, primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions are not models of development. Most of the public schools lack proper amenities and learning aids. What do you make of a situation where someone who studied Computer Science can’t operate a computer? Or a Lab Scientist who can’t carry out any experiment as the case may be. So, essentially, funding is key, dedication on the part of all stakeholders is also paramount too. But the government has to take the lead by setting the framework to drive the required development.
Next thing after graduation
Aminat Yusuf: I have been offered graduate internship opportunities by top tier law firms. The short term goal, prior to Law School is to garner as much experience as possible to further augment my academic excellence, in a bid to guarantee sterling legal practice after graduating from Law School.
I want to go into academics
Aminat Yusuf: Yes, I do intend to go into academics after my Ph.D, God willing. However, currently, in a bid to aid legal education, I have created a YouTube channel, titled LLA (Learning Law with Aminat). The goal is to make available valuable lessons in all compulsory law courses, as a supplementary tool to Law students across the federation. I hope this tool would be effectively leveraged on.
Advice to students
Aminat Yusuf: I believe so much in living a purpose-driven life. Intentionality is key. So, to students who aim for excellence, developing an interest in the field of study is paramount. That is what instigates inquisitiveness and gives you a sense of purpose. With indomitable hard work, dedication and prayers, academic success is guaranteed.
