Mary Ayobami Ogunmola is a First Class, best-graduating student of the Department of Computer Science, Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), for the 2022/2023 academic session. She finished with a CGPA of 4.89. In this interview by HAKEEM GBADAMOSI, she speaks on her academic feat.
Tell us about your background and academic journey.
I am a 19-year-old indigene of Oyo State. My educational journey began in Oyo town, where I completed both my primary and secondary education. I had a diploma from CAILS-KWASU before gaining admission to Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) to study computer science.
What was your performance in elementary and secondary school like?
As far as I can remember, I have consistently performed well academically. I maintained good grades in both elementary and secondary school.
What inspired you to study Computer Science?
Initially, I was not certain about a specific career path. I chose computer science for its flexibility and dynamic nature. I recognised that studying computer science would provide me with a versatile skill set, opening doors to diverse opportunities within the technology industry. This, coupled with my curiosity and passion for problem-solving, motivated my decision to pursue the course.
How does it feel to graduate with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.89 and be the best student of your department?
It feels amazing. I am filled with excitement and gratitude for how God has crowned my efforts.
How easy was it to maintain such a high CGPA?
Personally, maintaining a high CGPA was no easy feat. I would even argue that it was more challenging than initially achieving a high CGPA. After witnessing the success of my first results and realising my capabilities, the pressure to maintain that standard intensified, and this made the journey more difficult.
What were the things you denied yourself or adopted to attain such an enviable academic feat?
To maintain a high CGPA, I sacrificed a significant amount of sleep and limited my participation in social activities and gatherings. I adopted a high level of focus and discipline, eliminating anything deemed unnecessary that could potentially cause distractions.
What was your motivation?
My main motivation was my strong aversion to failure. I have a deep dislike for failure — the satisfaction and joy I feel when I achieve good grades drive me. Also, I strongly believe in the saying: “Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well.” This principle has consistently guided my academic pursuits.
Were there challenges, obstacles, or distractions you encountered during your academic journey?
I faced a major challenge when I gained admission and resumed for 200 level through direct entry. I resumed late, which presented difficulties in catching up with ongoing lectures. As a result of this, a lot of concepts seemed new and challenging to grasp. Additionally, the pressures of maintaining my CGPA added to the overall challenges.
However, my success was not solely an individual achievement, but also a result of the collective efforts of a community. A lot of people are part of this community, starting from my family — my parents and siblings whose unwavering love, constant encouragement, and belief in my abilities have been my driving force. In particular, my brothers — Adeyemi Ogunmola and Oyekunle Ogunmola — whose sacrifices and dedication to my education have made this accomplishment possible.
To the lecturers of the Department of Computer Science Department, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, who imparted their knowledge and expertise during my academic journey, including Dr V. A. Olutayo, my project supervisor; Professor A. A. Eludire, Mr O. G. Fadare, Dr O. O. Lawal, to mention a few.
And my friends and all who supported me in various ways.
Ultimately, without God, whose grace sustained me throughout my academic journey, this achievement would have been impossible.
What other activities were you involved in apart from academics?
My involvement in sports was relatively limited. I played badminton for a while. However, I was actively involved in spiritual activities and tutoring.
Is there anything you would have loved to do as a student that you could not?
Reflecting on my academic journey, I cannot think of anything I missed out on or would have loved to do differently.
Did you acquire entrepreneurial skills while in school?
JABU, being the first entrepreneurial university in Nigeria, places a high value on entrepreneurial skills. For this reason, I did not only gain knowledge related to my field of study but also acquired entrepreneurial skills. During my time in school, I gained expertise in both setting up and managing a business. In addition to my technical competencies, I am proficient in creating tie and dye (adire) fabrics, as well as clothes branding.
What is next for you after graduation?
The journey does not end here — it is just the beginning. My next step involves continuing my education, gaining valuable work experience to broaden my horizon, and contributing meaningfully to my chosen field and the world at large.
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