Chizoba Victor Ejiofor is the best-graduating student of the University of Nigeria (UNN) for the 2022/2023 session. He graduated from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.93. In this interview by Kingsley Alumona, he speaks about his academic journey, the pharmaceutical industry, among other issues.
HOW would you describe the kind of secondary education you had, and how did it influence your admission into the university?
I attended Igwebuike Grammar School (IGS), Awka, Anambra State — a reputable secondary school that emphasises academic excellence, critical thinking, and creativity. Our teachers and counsellors would teach and guide us with love and truth. lGS education provided me a strong foundation in a wide range of subjects, including the sciences which helped me to excel in internal and external examinations. I was able to sit for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in my school once and performed exceptionally well — thanks to the great works of my IGS teachers. A special mention to Mrs Ezenwamelaku (Physics teacher), and Mrs Anyadike (English teacher). Our counselling unit offered valuable guidance and mentorship that helped me to make informed decisions about my academic path and to navigate the university application process seamlessly. I was exposed to diverse perspectives and ideas, a scientific approach to lab work, inter-school competitions, group excursions, and lots more, which fostered an open-minded approach to learning and enriched my university experience.
What influenced you to study pharmacy and why did you choose UNN for it?
A real-life scenario and childhood experience that ignited the desire to undergo formal training on drugs was the day I was privileged to observe a young man who entered a chemist store owned by my classmate’s mother who is a nurse. By mere looking, I noticed that the young man was very sick and uncomfortable. It all seemed mind-blowing to me some minutes later when the man became calm and responsive to his environment after the nurse on duty administered an injection to him twice. I saw firsthand the importance of effective treatment and compassionate care for his wellness. Therefore, my desire to study pharmacy was fueled by a passion to contribute to improving healthcare outcomes, inspired by my childhood experiences.
UNN’s strong academic reputation, research opportunities, and commitment to producing competent pharmacists made it the ideal choice for me to pursue my dream and make a difference in the healthcare landscape.
In your LinkedIn post, where you shared your journey of becoming a valedictorian, you stated that, “I learned that to become what you have not been before, you must do what you have not done before.” So, what did you do differently to graduate as the overall best student of your university?
I used to ask myself “Why are some people more successful than others in every field of life?” This question became a game-changer for me. I learned from my seniors in the faculty that the ‘disease of excusitis’ would be very fatal to my academic success. It is natural for the human brain to think up elaborate justifications for not taking actions necessary for their excellence. Therefore, ‘No more excuses, we move,’ was my favorite slogan. I developed self-discipline to resist the lure of excuses by continually demanding more from myself even when I didn’t feel like it. In fact, before each school break, I would gather textbooks and notes for the next semester and start early to study them. To some friends, I was abnormal. But, frankly speaking, I was trying to rise as far and as fast as my talents and intelligence could go. I never gave up on the goal of becoming the best-graduating student of my graduation year, hence I paid the price of consistency in hard work.
What was the title of your final-year project and what were the major findings from it?
The title of my project was ‘The perception of community pharmacists towards the CBN’s cashless policy’s impact on their procurements, sales, and patient-care services in Enugu State’.
The findings are as follows: More than half of the pharmacists had a positive perception towards the CBN’s cashless policy’s impact on the study variables. There was a significant positive relationship between the pharmacists’ highest educational qualifications and the number of sales perceived in the heat of the cashless policy. Similarly, the location of community pharmacies had a significant association with the number of procurements and sales.
As the overall best student and valedictorian, what was the major highlight of your speech on the convocation day?
My speech was more of a thankful one. I believe that a heart full of thanksgiving is a tank full of blessings. I received lots of investments from society, and I am very grateful for everything. I also urged my fellow graduates through my speech to always give back to society that has invested a lot in their lives.
One of the many prizes you won was the Orji Uzor Kalu Prize for the best-graduating student worth N500,000. How did this make you feel? And what do you intend to do what the prize money?
The prize from the esteemed senator was an encouragement for me to continue excelling. By the grace of God, I intend to make it to the global stage. Hence, I will pursue a graduate school scholarship to keep improving my career, and I hope that the money prize will offset some bills for me.
Also, your LinkedIn post stated that you lost your parents before you graduated. How were you able to manage the financial challenges and tough times in the school without them?
My drive to excel met a decisive challenge when the cold hands of death took my parent away from me. My dad died while I was in secondary school. Since then, my mom has been the source of my inspiration to work hard. She would always tell me how happy she would be if I graduated not just with first class but being the best in my set. I denied myself certain pleasures just to fulfil my mom’s unreserved wish. Death took her away in my fourth year in pharmacy school. It was as if it was the end of the world. Nothing intrigued me any longer after the demise of my mom. But I had no other choice than to hearken to encouragement from my siblings, mentors, brethren in school fellowship, and my friends to continue moving at the pace my mom had wished for me.
God used people to propel me to where I am today. A special mention is my supportive elder brothers and sisters who have been my financial support all through my stay in the Den (brothers: Henry and Chibuike, and sisters: Ogochukwu and Chioma).
I also learnt photography and videography skills after my parent’s demise to support my studies.
In the course of your studies, what were the things or situations you think the school or the Federal Government could improve on to make life and schooling comfortable for students and staff?
In my opinion, the school and the Federal Government should focus on the following areas to create a more conducive and supportive environment:
Upgrading and expanding physical facilities, such as classrooms, laboratories, and libraries would greatly enhance the learning experience. Students are not supposed to stand while receiving lectures in this modernised era or not have proper hands-on experience with laboratory classes and equipment due to a lack of adequate space to contain students.
Providing more scholarships, grants, and bursaries would help alleviate the financial burden on students and parents.
Investing in counselling services, mental health awareness programmes, and stress management initiatives would help students navigate academic pressures and personal challenges.
Daily, fake and expired flood Nigeria hospitals and markets. If you were the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) chairperson, how would you combat the menace?
Firstly, I would be honest to myself and hold to high esteem the professional oaths I took on my induction day. I would adopt the tenacity and decisiveness of the late Professor Dora Akunyili who once chaired NAFDAC and left an indelible mark of integrity and patriotism. I would specifically leverage on technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain to enhance drug tracking, monitoring, and authentication.
In the biting Nigerian economy, basic medications are becoming too expensive for the common man to afford, leading to improper treatments or even death. How would you advise the Federal Government on how to quickly intervene in this situation?
I believe that the rejuvenation of the local pharmaceutical industry will be a panacea for the high cost of medicines in the country. Locally manufactured medicinal products would be more accessible and affordable compared to imported drugs. Also, strong collaboration and planning by the Federal Government with stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector can become a means to an end of this menace.
How do you intend to use the pharmacy knowledge and skills you have gained to contribute to the betterment of society and humanity?
I am currently looking for where to do my mandatory one-year internship. After the internship, I intend to engage in impactful research work and community volunteering opportunities where I would have the privilege to enlighten the public on the importance of responsible involvement in their health and wellness.
What is your advice to students who are aspiring to achieve the kind of academic feat you achieved?
Bad habits are easy to learn but difficult to live with, while good habits are difficult to learn but easy to live it. Every good thing is hard before it is easy. With consistency in hard work, nothing is impossible.
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