Haleemah Hamzah, a 22-year-old from Ilorin, Kwara state, initially aimed to study Medicine and Surgery at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) speaks on how she emerged as Best graduating student.
Haleemah Hamzah, a 22-year-old from Ilorin, Kwara state, initially aimed to study Medicine and Surgery at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS). Despite scoring 284 in the 2018 UTME, she was redirected to Biochemistry.
Determined to pursue her passion for medicine, Haleemah excelled in her 100-level with a 4.82 GPA, hoping to transfer to medicine. However, she discovered that transferring was not feasible. Despite this setback, she maintained her dedication, achieving a CGPA of 4.85 in 200-level, 4.90 in 300-level, and ultimately graduating with a 4.87 CGPA.
“In 100-level, many of us had first-class grades, but by 300-level, the numbers dropped significantly. It was considered the hardest level, yet I achieved a perfect 5.0 GPA,” Haleemah recounted.
Her motivation for academic excellence began in 2019 after seeing a woman graduate as her school’s top student. Inspired, Haleemah aspired to be the best in her cohort. She also drew inspiration from her mother, an intellectual who graduated with distinction and was among the top five in her postgraduate class.
Among the seven recent first-class graduates in Biochemistry, Haleemah stood out as the best, also becoming the top graduate in the entire faculty of chemical and life sciences. She attributed her success to divine favor and hard work, saying, “I thank Allah for His favor. Many are more brilliant than I am but didn’t achieve this. It’s a combination of hard work and prayer.”
Haleemah believes gender does not determine academic success. “Everyone has the chance to be the best. Female students can excel if they manage stress and navigate campus challenges with dedication and commitment.”
She emphasized the importance of extracurricular activities for networking and skill development. “Students should engage in extracurricular activities to find their niche and develop themselves,” she advised.
During her time at UDUS, Haleemah served as Vice President of her departmental association, Ameerah of the Muslim Biochemistry Student Unit, volunteered for a community betterment association, and was an international fellow with Awareness 360 Global Organization.
Haleemah encouraged undergraduates to persist in their ambitions, stating, “Hard work doesn’t kill; it strengthens and enhances life opportunities. Success requires effort and perseverance.”
She advised students to focus on their strengths, improve their weaknesses, and manage challenges effectively. “Avoid frivolous relationships that waste time. Define who you need in your life and when, and practice self-assessment regularly.”
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