From Struggles to Success: Woman Who Repeated Four Classes Graduates with 6.40/7.00 CGPA, Wins Best Student Award

Despite struggling academically and repeating four classes, Adunola Shoge persevered through financial hardships and self-doubt to graduate with a 6.40/7.00 CGPA from the University of Ibadan, earning the Overall Best Graduating Student Award in 2021.

Adunola Shoge’s journey from academic struggles to excellence is nothing short of inspiring. Once labeled a “dullard” and forced to repeat four classes, she defied the odds to graduate with an impressive 6.40/7.00 CGPA in Ecotourism and Wildlife Management from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Her remarkable performance earned her the Overall Best Graduating Student Award in 2021.

For the first ten years of her life, Adunola struggled to grasp even the basics of learning. She consistently ranked last in her class, leaving teachers and family members frustrated. “I always took the last position in class and heard the word ‘dullard’ so often that it almost became my name. I was ready to learn, but I just wasn’t getting it,” she recalled.

Determined to help their daughter, Adunola’s parents transferred her to West African Preparatory School (WAPSCO), where she had to restart from Basic One instead of Basic Four. Although initially painful, this decision changed her life.

“The teachers at WAPSCO took their time with me, starting from the very basics—alphabets and numbers. Within two weeks, I had already mastered them and could read a few words. From that moment, my story changed,” she said.

With proper guidance, Adunola’s academic performance drastically improved. She went from struggling to ranking among the top five students in primary school and later topping her class throughout secondary school.

Determined to continue excelling, she entered the University of Ibadan with a clear goal: to graduate with First Class Honors, a promise she had made to her father.

However, financial difficulties nearly derailed her dreams. “It didn’t really bother me until I couldn’t afford a set of textbooks and ended up with a ‘B’ in that course. That’s when I realized that lack of finances could stop me from achieving my dream,” she said.

To support herself and her education, Adunola took on multiple jobs, including working as a cosmetics retailer, housing agent, cleaning agent, and sales representative. Balancing academics and work proved challenging, and by her second year, her CGPA dropped to Second-Class Upper.

Determined not to let financial struggles define her academic journey, she fought back, regaining her First-Class standing in her third year and maintaining it until graduation.

“I studied at every opportunity I got. Reading became my hobby, and I made sure to do it every single day, no matter how tired or busy I was,” she said.

Adunola credits her parents’ unwavering support for her success. “They gave me their very best when schools rejected me and teachers gave up on me,” she said, also expressing gratitude to her teachers and mentors.

Her journey is a powerful testament to resilience, hard work, and determination. She encourages young students to believe in themselves, stay committed, and never give up on their dreams—no matter the obstacles.

SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIP REGION