I sacrificed social events to graduate with 5.0 CGPA — Trinity best graduating student

The best graduating student of Trinity University’s Department of Science, Osemen Esezobor, shares her academic journey to achieving a 5.0 CGPA and other experiences with BIODUN BUSARI

How would you describe your childhood?

My dad studied computer science, so I was always surrounded by computer-related studies. When I was much younger, my parents, especially my dad, didn’t take studies lightly. They were keen on the academic success of their children, and I, being the first child, had to be a model. So, I took my books seriously. They were not strict in other aspects of life, but I had to take my studies seriously. That was how I grew up.

My mum was my tutor at that time because we could not get an external tutor. She tutored me whenever I came back from school. She wanted to be a teacher because she attended a college of education, so I guess I became her test subject. I had beautiful childhood moments.

What were the defining moments of your primary and secondary education?

I attended St Margaret Primary School in Ikorodu, Lagos. It was a private school. For my secondary education, I attended Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba. My school was very competitive, with a lot of brilliant students, but my family was basically education-oriented, which helped me a lot.

There was no pressure from my parents, but I could feel that they wanted the best for me. They allowed me to explore several paths as I grew up. My mum gave me the option of pursuing any career, to the extent that I even learnt fashion designing.

Did you have any aspirations in secondary school?

Mathematics was my best subject. I performed better in maths than in computer studies. I just liked the subject. I also had intelligent friends with whom I discussed various topics. We helped one another grow, and I learnt from them. We also had group study sessions.

I had ambitions, but I didn’t discuss them with anyone except Mary, my closest friend. I used to tell her that I wanted to be a leading figure in technology, so that when people heard my name, they would associate it with the tech space. From then, I knew I was going to study computer science because of my passion for it, which had developed at home. I even have a picture of myself visiting a data centre when I was seven years old.

What made Mary your confidante and special friend?

She was intelligent, open-minded and loving, so she became my confidante. Mary is deeply rooted in Christ. She brought me to Christ. She was cheerful and loving back in school, so I became very comfortable with her.

You know, people don’t usually tell their friends the day they are leaving the country, but Mary told me the very day she was relocating abroad. She is exceptional. She taught me a lot about character.

Did your dad influence your choice of course at Trinity University?

He didn’t force me, but his influence played a part because he studied computer science himself. I love technology.

My first-choice university did not offer me computer science, which was my first-choice course in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. I scored 67 in my post-UTME examination, while the cut-off mark was 67.5. Instead, I was offered admission to study statistics. I told my parents that I had no passion for statistics. They listened to me, and we prayed.

A few days later, my mum spoke to her friends, who told her about Trinity University. She didn’t want me to waste my results because I had scored highly in WAEC, NECO and UTME. With my results, I applied to Trinity University.

The university had completed its first semester, so I joined in the second semester and obtained a 5.0 GPA. I was surprised. I then returned during the eight-week summer period to complete the first semester, and I obtained another 5.0 GPA. I was fascinated by my results. I worked harder and maintained that performance until my final year.

What were the secrets to your success?

I didn’t understand what CGPA meant before I entered the university, but my dad used to tell me that I should make at least 4.8. In my mind, however, I knew that if I scored As, that would settle it. That was my focus. So, I can say that my success genuinely came from a place of love. I enjoyed staying in the library.

I had an alarm that rang every 5pm to remind me to go to the library to read. I wouldn’t return to the hostel until 8pm. I did this at least three times a week. When I read, I explained what I had learnt to myself in my own words to aid my understanding.

I also had a question bank in which I wrote questions that I answered after my devotion. Moreover, I took my mid-semester examinations and assignments very seriously. The mid-semester assessments were worth 40 marks, while the examinations were worth 60 marks. I believed that if I scored at least 35 in my mid-semester assessments, I would not have to struggle too much to get a good overall score.

Most of my examination scores were around 50, and I eventually obtained scores in the 80s and sometimes the 90s. I wouldn’t necessarily call these secrets because my friends knew my habits. They had heard me say many times that I wouldn’t joke with going to the library or take my mid-semester examinations lightly.

Did you face any challenges in pursuing your academic goals?

I didn’t really have any academic challenges. It was in my 400 level that I became more involved in extracurricular activities. However, I still ensured that I went to the library at least three times a week.

In the first semester of my 200 level, I also scored very low in a test. I scored 12 out of 20, the lowest mark I had ever received. I approached the examination with caution because the course was programming. I reviewed the questions I had answered incorrectly and worked on my weaknesses. I devoted a lot of time and effort to the course to ensure that I passed it. Eventually, many students failed the course, and only three of us obtained As.

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What would you describe as your biggest sacrifice to finish at the top of your class?

I don’t want to sound too cliché, but I sacrificed certain social activities. I didn’t attend many social events because I wanted to focus on my studies. I also said no to many volunteer roles. There were several student week events I declined so that I could concentrate on my academic goals.

It was in my 400-level that I became more involved in extracurricular activities for certain reasons, after I knew I had achieved what I wanted academically. I told myself that I could relax a bit.

Do you read books outside your academic work?

I’m not much of a reader, but I have started reading books. I mostly read about time management and wealth creation. I have read Time Power by Brian Tracy, The Rules of Wealth and The Psychology of Money.

What roles did you take up while in the university?

In my 200 level, I became the assistant general secretary of my department. Then, in my 400 level, I became the first female president of my department.

I think that in 2025, I became the first campus lead for Cowrywise at Trinity University through its ambassador programme. I also co-organised the first and second editions of the career fair held at Trinity University.

Most of the roles I took up were leadership positions. I love being where excellence happens. However, those achievements were not down to my efforts alone. I worked with excellent teams whose members performed their responsibilities well. Leading them was relatively easy because I had a great team.

Which course was your favourite?

I liked data management, which was a 200-level course. I was so fascinated by it that I scored above 90. I loved the course because I had already delved into backend development through my work. So, when we studied data management in class and I saw how databases were created and how everything worked, I was amazed.

Having graduated as the best graduating student, what area do you intend to specialise in?

I’m a software engineer, and software engineering is a broad field. I specialise in backend development. I have about two years’ experience in backend development because I was working while in school. I took on freelance gigs and secured jobs through LinkedIn.

I started working in my 300 level, after my Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme. My SIWES was a major boost to my career.

When did you realise that you could graduate as the best student?

When I obtained another 5.0 GPA in the first semester of my 200 level, I realised it was possible to graduate with a 5.0 CGPA.

I didn’t know there was another student, Osayi, from the Department of International Relations, who was also on course to graduate as the best student. I didn’t meet her until my 400 level, when I was having a conversation with someone who was her friend. The person told me that we were going to have two best graduating students. I was surprised and wanted to meet her.

The person showed me Osayi’s picture, but we never interacted because we weren’t close. We became friends after our graduation.

How did it feel to become the first person in your family to graduate with a first-class degree?

I felt ecstatic because I came from a competitive secondary school, and Trinity University was even more competitive. When I realised I had emerged at the top, I was very excited.

I was almost in tears during my valedictory speech because my mum had always told me that I would become great. I used to think it was just a mother’s prayer, but when those things began to manifest, I struggled to hold back my tears and became grateful to God.

I was very happy that I had brought smiles to my parents’ faces. As the firstborn, I could also show my siblings that the world was literally in their palms. I had become a standard for them. Receiving the best graduating student award made my family proud.

Has university life taught you anything beyond academics?

I have learnt many things at Trinity University, but I think one of the most important is the need to choose the right friends. I felt that my friends challenged me. The friends I made in my 200 level consistently obtained 5.0 GPAs until graduation, when some of their scores dropped. Through them, I learnt the importance of quality friendships.

The second lesson is to believe in yourself even when nobody else does. People will try to bring you down. In my 100 level, when I started going to the library, some people discouraged me, asking what the point was when I would not make a 5.0 GPA. I did not listen to them. I continued going to the library and pushing myself until I achieved my goal.