Firewood Seller’s Son Emerges Best Graduating Student at Abiola Ajimobi Technical University

Uthman Oloyede, the son of a firewood seller and schoolteacher, emerged as the best graduating student at Abiola Ajimobi Technical University with a CGPA of 4.98, after overcoming repeated admission setbacks and benefiting from a scholarship.

In an emotional and inspiring moment at Abiola Ajimobi Technical University’s 3rd and 4th combined convocation ceremony, Uthman Oloyede, son of a dedicated schoolteacher and a firewood seller, was named the best graduating student of the 2023/2024 academic session with a remarkable CGPA of 4.98 from the Department of Physics with Electronics.

Uthman’s academic journey was marked by perseverance and faith, having sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) five times before finally gaining admission to AATU through a local government scholarship. Despite the initial setbacks, he excelled at the university, achieving a perfect 5.0 GPA in six out of eight semesters, earning 55 A’s and only 2 B’s, and receiving three prestigious scholarships—including those from the Federal Government and MTN Foundation.

In his valedictory speech, Uthman described himself as living proof that humble beginnings and repeated rejections can still lead to greatness through resilience and support. He acknowledged the vital role of his family, the Lagelu Local Government scholarship scheme, and the Oyo State Government’s commitment to education, which made his dream possible.

Beyond academics, Uthman also served as the Ameer of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) at AATU, maintaining academic excellence while leading fellow students.

Vice Chancellor Professor Adesola Ajayi commended Uthman’s journey as a testament to the transformative power of support, urging society not to give up on individuals who face early academic struggles. He praised the government’s scholarship initiatives, emphasizing their impact on students like Uthman and countless others with similar stories waiting to be told.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, NATION