Gladys Oguntola, who graduated as the best student in both the Department of Nursing and the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences at Obafemi Awolowo University, attributed her success to hard work, faith, and perseverance, overcoming significant challenges along the way.
Gladys Oguntola, with a total score of 71.3, emerged as the best graduating student in both the Department of Nursing and the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). In an interview with an ACJOAU correspondent, she shared her remarkable journey through her undergraduate years.
Gladys introduced herself as a graduate of the Department of Nursing at OAU, proudly holding a first-class honours degree. Reflecting on her success, she attributed her achievement to hard work, diligence, determination, perseverance, and, most importantly, the “Power of God.” She expressed that her accomplishments were not by her strength but by divine grace.
When asked if she ever envisioned becoming the best graduating student, Gladys revealed that she dreamed of such an achievement when she first gained admission to study nursing in 2017. However, it wasn’t until her fourth year that she truly believed it was attainable with additional effort. She kept a journal, setting her sights on the goal, and relied on God’s help to make it a reality.
Gladys chose nursing because she believed it was a noble profession, driven by her desire to help others. She was drawn to the diverse career paths, job stability, and high demand in the healthcare sector. Her decision to study at OAU was sparked by a conversation with a friend who spoke highly of the university, which led her to apply despite any doubts.
Regarding her study habits, Gladys emphasized the importance of self-awareness in her academic success. She recognized that she assimilated information better during the day, preferring not to study at night. As an auditory learner, she made sure never to miss a lecture, as she found that listening helped her retain information. She also avoided procrastination, ensuring she kept up with her materials consistently.
Throughout her time at OAU, Gladys faced many challenges. She recalled starting her university journey with almost no resources, having no bed, gas cooker, or even a single grain of rice. She had only 1,040 naira upon arrival and slept on the bare floor for almost two months. Despite the hardships, her passion for nursing kept her going. She credited her roommate in the first year for providing vital support. Gladys also shared how her phone was stolen in her first year while preparing for an important test, yet she managed to stay focused until after the test. She overcame financial struggles, at times going to bed hungry and unable to afford textbooks. Through it all, her faith in Christ helped her persevere.
Gladys began making deliberate efforts to achieve excellent grades from the start of her studies at OAU. She had set a goal for excellence even before she arrived at the university and continuously worked towards it from her first year. She strived to improve each semester and session, ensuring she performed better than the last.
Her choice of friends also played a crucial role in her academic success. Gladys believed that the company one keeps significantly impacts their achievements. Her friends were all motivated and resilient, creating an environment where they supported and encouraged each other to excel.
During her time at OAU, Gladys received several prestigious awards, including:
- The 2021 SNE Award for National Outstanding Nursing Student of the Year.
- The OAU Star Award for Best Student in the Nursing Department for the 2019/2020 academic session.
- The OAU Star Award for Best Student in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences for the 2021/2022 academic session.
- Overall Best Graduating Student in the Bachelor of Nursing Science program for the 2022/2023 session.
- Overall Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences for the 2022/2023 session.
Gladys Oguntola’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and excellence, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, hard work and determination can lead to extraordinary success.
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