Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide, the overall best graduating student of Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2025/2026 academic session, has shared how he overcame financial hardship, academic disappointment and other challenges to graduate with an impressive 4.97/5.00 CGPA.
Oluolamide, who studied Aerospace Engineering, recounted his journey in a series of posts on X, describing a difficult childhood that began after his family was forced to relocate from Lagos to Sango-Ota, Ogun State, because of severe financial challenges.
He recalled being sent home from his former school in Lagos while in JSS3 because his family could not afford to pay his school fees.
“After I was sent home from my previous school in Lagos during JSS3 because of unpaid fees, severe family hardship forced us to relocate to Ota,” he wrote.
He continued his education at Top’s Bright International School in Sango-Ota, where financial difficulties remained a constant challenge.
“Things were financially tough growing up. There were days I was sent home for school fees, but I stayed consistent at the top of my class,” he said.
His academic commitment eventually caught the attention of the school’s proprietor, who stepped in to support him.
According to Oluolamide, the proprietor cleared his outstanding school fees, awarded him a full scholarship through SS3 and paid his WAEC and UTME fees.
He also paid tribute to teachers who supported him during the difficult period, particularly Master Timothy Chinedu and Mr Tayo Ajileye.
“I will never forget the teachers who believed in me, teachers who gave me money to buy food to eat during school lunch break, Master Timothy Chinedu, and Mr Tayo Ajileye, who enrolled me in free extra lessons,” he said.
“Everyone supported me with the little they had. That kindness proved to me early on that hard work and diligence pay off.”
A Disappointing Start at LASU
When Oluolamide gained admission to LASU, he said his motivation was to justify the confidence and sacrifices of the people who had supported his education.
“Entering LASU, my drive was simple: to make my family, my teachers, my proprietor, and everyone who invested in me proud,” he wrote.
However, his university career did not immediately produce the exceptional results that would eventually make him the institution’s best graduating student.
He recorded a 4.81 grade point in his first semester at 100 level.
“My university journey didn’t start with a 5.0. In 100L First Semester, I recorded a 4.81 GP. It was First Class, but not the top of my class, and I felt disappointed,” he recalled.
His sister encouraged him to concentrate on how he would finish rather than becoming discouraged by his initial result.
“My sister told me something that stuck with me forever: ‘It’s not about how you start, but how you finish,’” he said.
The following semester, he recorded his first 5.0 GPA, raising his CGPA to 4.90.
From 200 level onward, he adopted a simple goal: to give his best every semester and aim for a perfect 5.0.
“From 200L onwards, I stopped competing with anyone else. My goal every single semester was simple: hit 5.0 and give my absolute best,” he wrote.
77 As From 81 Courses
Oluolamide said his academic achievement came with significant physical and financial sacrifices, but he remained determined to complete his studies successfully.
During his five years studying Aerospace Engineering, he completed 81 courses, recording 77 As and four Bs.
“Out of 10 semesters, God blessed me with 7 perfect 5.0 GPs. It wasn’t meant to be easy, but doing it diligently, coupled with divine grace, made it possible,” he said.
By the end of his 400 level, his consistent performance had pushed his CGPA to 4.96.
His academic record subsequently earned him the OPay Scholarship, with Oluolamide becoming the only engineering student selected for the award.
He eventually completed his programme with a 4.97 CGPA, emerging as LASU’s overall best graduating student for the 2025/2026 academic session.
His achievement was further recognised with a N10 million cash prize at the university’s combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies.
Faith and Support
Beyond his academic achievements, Oluolamide said his Christian faith and the support he received from his fellowship community played a major role in his university journey.
He quoted Matthew 6:33, writing, “Seek first the kingdom of God…”
His involvement with Living Spring Fellowship began in 100 level after he became interested in its Bible studies.
“Coming from an RCCG background, Living Spring Fellowship’s Bible studies in 100L drew me in to the fellowship,” he said.
When accommodation became a challenge in 200 level, he said the fellowship helped him secure a hostel.
“By 200L, when accommodation was a struggle, LSF stepped in and helped secure my hostel,” he wrote.
He also acknowledged individuals who supported him when meeting basic needs became difficult, including Pastor Bukola, Bro Abidemi, Mummy Winner and Bro ID.
Oluolamide further expressed appreciation to his fellowship members, coursemates and level mates for their support throughout his university years.
Giving Back to Other Students
Despite the pressure of maintaining an outstanding academic record, Oluolamide said he also made time to help other students.
He recalled advice from his seniors encouraging him not to withhold knowledge and said he regularly organised tutorials for students in his department before examinations.
“Remembering my seniors’ advice to never hold back knowledge, I spent every pre-exam season running tutorials for my department,” he said.
His previous experience as a teacher, he explained, helped him simplify difficult engineering concepts for his colleagues.
“Having been trained to teach early in SSS3 and working as a teacher after secondary school, I applied the Feynman technique to break down complex engineering concepts,” he wrote.
“Teaching didn’t take away from me, it made us a family and made us ace courses.”
‘This Is Just the Beginning’
Reflecting on his journey from struggling to pay secondary school fees to becoming LASU’s overall best graduating student, Oluolamide credited his achievement to hard work, diligence, persistence and what he described as divine grace.
“I believe it was the grace of God, doing things Diligently (DID) and Never Giving up,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to his family, lecturers, mentors and friends who supported him throughout his education.
“From Secondary School Best to Overall Best Graduating Student at LASU, this degree proves that hard work and faith will always yield results,” he said.
“This BGS award belongs to God and everyone who cheered, prayed, invested, and learned alongside me!”
Oluolamide concluded his reflection with a message about the future: “This is not the finish line; it is just the beginning.”
