LASU's best graduating student shares inspiring journey from hardship to academic excellence

Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide, the overall best graduating student at Lagos State University for the 2025/2026 academic session, has shared his remarkable journey of overcoming significant financial hardship and academic disappointments to achieve a cumulative grade point average of 4.97 out of 5.00.

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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.

An Aerospace Engineering graduate, Oluolamide recounted on X how his family relocated from Lagos to Sango-Ota, Ogun State, due to severe financial difficulties. He recalled being sent home from his previous school in Lagos during junior secondary school (JSS3) because of unpaid fees. Despite the financial struggles that persisted at his new school, Top’s Bright International School, he remained consistently at the top of his class.

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Seeing my dedication, my school proprietor did something remarkable: he cleared all my outstanding debts, granted me a full scholarship through SS3, covered my WAEC fees, and supported my UTME fees.

His dedication caught the attention of the school's proprietor, who provided crucial support by clearing his outstanding debts, granting him a full scholarship through senior secondary school (SS3), and covering his examination and university entrance fees. Oluolamide also expressed gratitude for teachers like Master Timothy Chinedu and Mr Tayo Ajileye, who provided financial assistance for food and offered free extra lessons, instilling in him the belief that hard work and diligence pay off.

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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.

Upon entering LASU, Oluolamide was driven by a desire to make his family, teachers, and proprietor proud. However, his university career began with a 4.81 GPA in his first semester, which, while first-class, fell short of his expectations. His sister’s advice, "It's not about how you start, but how you finish," resonated deeply. This motivated him to achieve his first 5.0 GPA in the subsequent semester, raising his overall CGPA to 4.90. From his second year onwards, he focused on achieving a 5.0 GPA each semester, dedicating himself to giving his absolute best.

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Everyone supported me with the little they had. That kindness proved to me early on that hard work and diligence pay off.