A brilliant Nigerian scholar Akinyuwa Susan has emerged as the overall best graduating student of the 2022/2023 graduating set at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria.

She achieved this remarkable feat with an outstanding cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.97/5.00, earning a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree.

In an interview with ACJOAU, Susan reflected on her academic journey and the experiences that shaped her success. She described her achievement as a privilege from God, attributing it to faith, hard work, discipline, determination, focus, and resilience.

”I never saw it coming at first, I mean at the beginning of the journey but later I started trusting God for the best and I give Glory to him because I prayed for it and now it’s in my hands,” she said.

Initially, Susan had considered pursuing Accounting and later Medicine but eventually chose Pharmacy, influenced by her father. Looking back, she is thankful for her decision.

She credited the rigorous training at OAU’s Faculty of Pharmacy for shaping her into a disciplined and focused individual. “OAU Pharmacy is broad—it teaches more than pharmacy. We learned discipline, honor, focus, and other core values that prepare us for life,” she said.

Susan’s study routine was methodical and prayerful. Before each study session, she prayed for guidance. She focused on reading materials in detail, ensuring she could answer any possible questions, and revisited her notes multiple times.

Despite the demanding schedule, Susan successfully managed a business she started during her second year. She prioritized her academics by pausing the business during exams but resumed afterward.

Susan’s exceptional performance earned her several prestigious awards, including Overall Best Graduating Student of the 2022/2023 Academic Session, OAU Stars Award for Overall Best Student, Faculty of Pharmacy (2018/2019 & 2021/2022).

She also received the Association of Lady Pharmacists Award for Overall Best Lady Pharmacist and the Overall Best Pharmacy student for her set.

Recalling the moment she learned about being the overall best graduating student, Susan said, “ It was like a dream really, and it’s still like a dream, but I’m just so grateful to God for the privilege and I know that the lord has chosen to honor me and has surpassed my expectations indeed.

Susan offered valuable advice to students aspiring for academic excellence. Fristly she urged them to hold on to God, then work hard and stay diligent and lastly have a positive mindset and trust that you have what it takes to succeed.