University of Ibadan Medical Student Who Wrote UTME as an Underage Candidate Graduates With Distinction

A young man, Ibitoye Oluwatobiloba Joshua, who gained admission into University of Ibadan as an underage UTME candidate, overcame admission deferment, COVID-19 disruptions, and ASUU strikes to graduate with distinction in Medical Laboratory Science.

A young Nigerian scholar, Ibitoye Oluwatobiloba Joshua, has celebrated a remarkable academic milestone after graduating from University of Ibadan with a degree in Medical Laboratory Science. Sharing his story online, the brilliant graduate reflected on the challenges, sacrifices, and unforgettable experiences that shaped his journey from an underage UTME candidate to a distinguished medical laboratory scientist.

According to Ibitoye, his journey began shortly before his 14th birthday when his General Certificate Examination (GCE) results were released. Impressed by his performance, his father encouraged him to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) just to test his abilities. He performed excellently in the exam and secured admission to study Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Ibadan. However, shortly after gaining admission, he was informed by the school authorities that he was underage by only a month or two, forcing him to defer his admission for one year. Though devastated at the time, he patiently waited and later resumed as a 100-level student.

His first year in the university came during the COVID-19 pandemic, which changed the normal university experience for many students across the country. Instead of physical classes and campus activities, students attended virtual lectures, online matriculation ceremonies, and remote learning sessions. Despite the unusual circumstances, Ibitoye and his classmates adapted to the new system and continued their academic pursuits while hoping for a return to normal campus life.

The challenges continued during his second year when the prolonged ASUU strike disrupted academic activities nationwide for several months. According to him, students eventually returned to school almost like strangers trying to reconnect with their academics after a long period away from campus. As he advanced in his studies, he participated in several clinical postings at the University College Hospital (UCH), rotating through departments such as Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, and Jaja Clinic while balancing demanding lectures and practical sessions.

By his fourth year, the academic workload became even more intense, with 12 courses in a single semester alongside practical training at Ring Road State Hospital and Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital. During this period, he gained hands-on experience in Hematology, Histopathology, Medical Microbiology, and Chemical Pathology. He later discovered a strong passion for Hematology and Blood Transfusion Science, describing his experiences in the hematology clinic and blood bank as highly impactful to his professional growth.

After years of hard work and dedication, Ibitoye successfully passed his professional examinations and graduated with distinction in Hematology. He proudly announced that he was inducted into the Medical Laboratory Science profession on May 11, 2026, officially reintroducing himself as “MLSct. Ibitoye Oluwatobiloba Joshua, B.MLS (UI), AMLSCN.” His inspiring story drew praise from many Nigerians online, with several people congratulating him for overcoming challenges and achieving excellence despite starting his university journey as an underage candidate.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, LEGIT