Against All Odds: Nigerian Man Breaks LASU Record with 4.95 CGPA After Father Sold His Car to Fund His Education

Oladimeji Shotunde overcame multiple admission rejections and financial hardship—including his father selling his car—to graduate with LASU’s highest-ever CGPA, proving that grit, gratitude, and persistence can rewrite destinies.

Oladimeji Shotunde, an inspiring Nigerian scholar, has made history at Lagos State University (LASU) by graduating as the best student of the 2019/2020 academic session with an unprecedented 4.95/5.00 CGPA in Business Administration, breaking a 37-year-old university record.

This incredible milestone did not come easily. Shotunde’s journey was one of persistence, setbacks, and sacrifice—especially the heart-wrenching decision his father made to sell his car just to ensure Oladimeji and his siblings could continue their education.

A Long Road to Admission

From an early age, Shotunde demonstrated academic promise. He sat for the GCE exam at just 14 years old, but his initial attempts to gain admission into LASU were unsuccessful. Despite ranking high in the Post-UTME during his second attempt, a shading error in his application resulted in an offer to study a science-related course he didn’t want.

On his third attempt, he was again offered a course misaligned with his passion—Physical Health Education—which he declined. Refusing to settle, he waited another year and finally secured a spot to study his dream course, Business Administration.

A Scholar and a Leader

While navigating his rigorous academic journey, Shotunde also dedicated himself to uplifting others. He founded Excel Minds Academic Group, an initiative that grew to serve over 1,000 students across Nigeria. Through this platform, he led free tutorials, mentored peers, and became a beacon of academic excellence in his community.

“I wanted to show others that excellence is not only possible—it’s replicable,” he said, reflecting on the role the group played in his own growth.

Recognized by the State

His remarkable performance earned him recognition beyond campus walls. At the LASU convocation ceremony, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, presented him with a ₦5 million cash prize in acknowledgment of his record-setting academic feat.

A Tribute to Sacrifice

Shotunde’s story reached its emotional peak when he shared the role his family played in his success. He described the overwhelming gratitude he felt having his parents at his graduation, especially knowing the depth of their sacrifices.

“My father once sold his only car so we could pay our school fees,” he shared. “To have them sit beside me during convocation was more than a dream come true—it was justice for their sacrifices.”

Looking Ahead

Following his graduation and national youth service, Shotunde pursued a Master’s degree in Innovation at University College London (UCL). His ultimate goal is to become a consultant who bridges academia and industry, using his journey as a platform to advocate for education reform, mentorship, and inclusive innovation across Africa.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIP REGION