In today’s feature, we spotlight the remarkable achievements of Lagos State University’s best graduating student in Accounting, Mubaraq Olaniyi.
Contrary to popular belief, students remain steadfast in their pursuit of education despite the “school is scam” culture in today’s world. How do we know? Keep reading to find out.
This interview conducted by Moyosore Lawore, will explore the experiences, challenges, and triumphs that defined young Mubaraq’s career.
Join us as we celebrate these exemplary students’ accomplishments and gain insights into the beauty and future of education in Nigeria.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your early education background?
I am Mubaraq Olaniyi Olawale. I hail from Osun state. I am from a family of six, I attended a private primary school; Oshams Academy. I also attended Agojun Aka Secondary School for junior secondary school.
After my junior secondary school level, I went to a different school for senior secondary school, the fact that my junior secondary school did not have a senior school.
I was posted to another school for my senior secondary school level and that was Ilogbo Elegba Senior Grammar School.
I really enjoyed my time in Ilogbo Elegba Grammar School, right from my time in SS1 to SS3, I have always been doing well.
My subject teachers, my class teachers, everybody was saying good things about me. I love being an intellectual person, I was someone that people would talk about in a good way.
So, I made sure that I did all I could in order to be talked about in a good way. I know that my senior secondary school level was far better than my junior secondary school.
I decided to continue something like that in a higher institution and that was when I got into the Lagos State University.
What motivated you to strive for excellence in your academic journey at LASU?
I got attracted to excellence and I know what comes out of excellence, although while I was in my senior secondary school I wasn’t the best but amongst the best.
When I got to LASU, I knew that I wanted to be known for intelligence.
And I started, at the beginning I made a 5.0 CGPA which boosted my morale and I really wanted to continue something like that because I never wanted to drop.
There was a time one of my friends, he’s a close friend. He told me that Mubaraq you have a good CGPA but know that it would not continue this way. So when something happens I don’t want you to feel bad about it.
That thing really affected me but I couldn’t tell the person, but I had it in mind that in whatsoever way, I would make sure I kept.
It was a negative motivation to me and thank God I was able to graduate with a 4.9 CGPA despite the hurdles and muddles.
Were there any specific study techniques or habits that you found particularly effective?
I remember that when I got to LASU, what I had in mind was that, I wanted to be good, I wanted to be that person who would attain academic excellence.
What was in my head was book, book, book. When I got to the second semester I was introduced to Excel Minds Academic Group, we were able to impact lives, and I became a tutor through teaching my people and the like.
200-level second semester, I would say, was my worst semester. What actually happened was that I knew I was pursuing academic excellence.
I was given a leadership role to be the general coordinator of Excel Minds. The pressure was much, more than it has ever been.
Before I just used to think of myself and my tutorials.
But now I had to coordinate and oversee the whole students in the Lagos State University. I had my executives, my tutors, my people and other people.
How did you manage your time between studies, extracurricular activities, and personal life?
Initially, I couldn’t manage my time properly. Before that time, by the sixth or eighth week, I would have been done with all my course outlines.
But this particular time, I couldn’t do anything. The stress I go through daily would have accumulated in my body that after getting home I won’t be able to read. I would just sleep off.
Everything was dawning on me and I had to consult my mentors and they shared part of what they did during their time.
So, I looked for ways to schedule my day at midnight daily.
These are my priorities, these are what I want to do, and I try to do away with things that are not important in my life.
I focused on what was important like, this is what I want to achieve today so, by 6 o’clock I have to read, this is what I have to do for Excel Minds because I took up the leadership role on my own, I wasn’t forced. I started getting used to time and stress management.
Since then, I have been someone who loves pressure. The pressure was much, more than it had ever been. Before I just used to think of myself and my tutorials.
In the second part of this Exclusive Interview, Mubarak Olaniyi talks about his mentors and social Life
