'Why academic excellence is important in life', UK-based Nigerian lecturer speaks

• Stakeholders in education have shared principles young Nigerian students can imbibe to succeed in life
• A speaker noted that academic excellence goes beyond just getting good academic grades
• In an interview with Legit.ng, Prince Adesegun Ogungbayi, the project coordinator of AEI, urged the participants to be success-oriented

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering education in Nigeria and worldwide.

Ipaja, Lagos state - Dr Sofiat Olaosebikan, a lecturer in Algorithms and Complexity, School of Computer Science at the University of Glasgow, Scotland in the United Kingdom (UK), has preached academic excellence.

Olaosebikan spoke recently at an event organised by the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI) titled ‘The Passion for Academic Excellence, Students on Call’.

For illustration purposes only. Depicted persons have no relationship to the events described in this material. Photo credit: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc
Source: Getty Images

According to her, students under the tutelage of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) are fortunate to have such a group supporting them throughout their secondary school sojourn.

A first-class graduate of the University of Ibadan (UI) for her first degree, Dr. Olaosebikan urged young Nigerians to always aim high whilst in the university as it would open doors like scholarships and awards for them.

Speaking on the sideline of the event, Olaosebikan told Legit.ng:

“Academic excellence goes beyond just getting good grades. It is all about developing a lifelong passion for learning. You have to find a subject that you are very good at, and you have to be passionate about developing yourself around it. Find good friends, good support network like the AEI. They would continuously help you develop yourself, your strength, and your goals as well.”

Furthermore, Dr. Olaosebikan advised youths to find a way to contribute positively to the society, for example, by volunteering.

In his remarks, Prince Adesegun Ogungbayi, the project coordinator of AEI, urged the participants to develop the spirit of excellence, offering advice on the future of online examination systems.

Ogungbayi told Legit.ng:

“My uncommon scholars, you all need to know that by the year 2030, all your examinations may be through the use of your smartphones and not even personal computer-based. Therefore, prepare ahead.”

Ogungbayi continued:

“The Annual Award/Scholars Day is very important to prepare all outstanding students across the nation for greatness, and particularly, for them to be able to break more academic grounds in SSCE with 9As and outstanding scores of not less than 380 in 2025 UTME."

Winners emerge in AEI’s Scholars' Day

Meanwhile, Hannah Adeyemi of Unity Senior College, Lagos, emerged as the champion of the 2024 edition of the annual AEI’s Scholars’ Day.

Following an internet-based quiz competition contested among 82 young Nigerians in Lagos on Saturday, June 22, the organisers announced Ms Adeyemi as the overall best student with 76%.

The first runner-up, Eniola Ajibode, trailed Adeyemi by just two percent. Ajibode is a student of Elias International School, Lagos.

MIMS Comprehensive College’s Akintunde Moosa emerged as the second runner-up.

The first, second, and third candidates had 76%, 74%, and 74% respectively, however, Ajibode beat Moosa to silver on account of speed and accuracy.

While the overall winner was awarded N100,000, the silver and bronze medalists went home with N75,000 and N50,000 respectively.

Abdullahi Muhammad of Iskanulhaq Educational Services took fourth, Nnamdi Isiani of Ideal Crystal School in fifth, and Usoolul Iman College's AbdulWahab Habeeblah in sixth.

All the six students were rewarded.

American varsity offers N35m scholarship to Nigerians

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Michigan State University (MSU) unveiled a $25,000 scholarship opportunity aimed at Nigerian and other international students aspiring to pursue an undergraduate degree in the United States.

The prestigious American institution announced this generous offer on its website, noting that the scholarship provides N35 million annually towards tuition costs and is renewable for up to eight semesters.

Source: Legit.ng