Twenty-seven-year-old Olayinka Babatunde has emerged as the best graduating student from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ibadan (UI), achieving a remarkable first-class degree in Linguistics. In an exclusive interview, Babatunde shared his journey, highlighting the challenges, lessons, and triumphs that defined his academic path.
Lessons Learned on the Journey
Reflecting on his experience, Babatunde emphasized the importance of perseverance and resilience in overcoming challenges.
“It’s not over until it’s over because there are a lot of obstacles. I reprogrammed my mind to believe that some things could still be done to change the situation,” he stated.
He also shared his approach to self-improvement, emphasizing learning from others:
“Instead of being jealous of people who are better than you, get closer to them and learn from them. By interacting with them, you will gain insights, tactics, and strategies to improve your life.”
The Excitement of Achieving a First Class
Babatunde expressed his excitement about graduating with a first class, acknowledging the rigorous standards at UI.
“Graduating with a first class from the University of Ibadan is not an easy task. Now that I’ve achieved this feat, I want to continue living up to the bar I’ve raised for myself in all my endeavours,” he said.
Interestingly, Babatunde initially planned to study German but shifted to Linguistics after receiving advice from a mentor, which opened up opportunities to learn multiple languages.
Keys to Academic Success
Babatunde attributed his success to strategic learning and adaptability.
“I didn’t follow the crowd. I sat down to know what was best for me. In terms of choosing courses to borrow or reading formulas to adopt, I did what worked for me,” he explained.
He also made proactive efforts to deepen his understanding of topics by conducting online research and watching educational videos.
Overcoming Financial Challenges
Despite his academic brilliance, Babatunde faced significant financial hardships. The son of a pastor and farmer, he often relied on his parents for basic needs, but their limited resources made it challenging.
“Sometimes, my dad would call to ask if I needed anything, but when things were difficult at home, I wouldn’t want to demand anything,” he shared.
The situation worsened when his father fell ill during his third year, forcing Babatunde to seek alternative means of financial support. He ventured into online opportunities, learning skills like business marketing, copywriting, graphic design, and e-commerce to sustain himself.
“I was looking for money to shoulder my financial responsibilities, get food, and pay for my school fees and accommodation,” he recounted.
Support from Lecturers
Babatunde acknowledged the critical support he received from his lecturers, who provided him with job opportunities to earn money.
“I did speech annotation and data set annotation for my lecturers. One of them even recommended me to his friends in the United States for jobs. I also helped lecturers acquire data in the field,” he explained.
An Inspiring Example for Others
Olayinka Babatunde’s story exemplifies resilience, determination, and the power of education to transform lives. Despite financial and personal challenges, his proactive approach to learning and unwavering commitment to excellence propelled him to the top of his class.
As he sets his sights on future endeavours, Babatunde’s journey serves as an inspiration to students across Nigeria, proving that with hard work and determination, any obstacle can be overcome.