Nigerian Graduate Who Failed WAEC 17 Times Shines in USA

A Nigerian man, Emmanuel Oluwasayomi, a graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Benin speaks on how he gained admission to the university by writing JAMB seventeen times over refusal to cut corners in order to get admission.

In November 2019, Emmanuel Oluwasayomi Ahmadu, a Mass Communications graduate from the University of Benin, was fulfilling his National Youth Service Corps assignment in Kwara State.

During an interview with Demola Akinyemi, the state correspondent for Vanguard in Ilorin, Emmanuel recounted his experience of taking the WAEC/GCE exams seventeen times due to his refusal to cut corners before gaining admission to the University of Benin. This story was widely covered online on December 1, 2019.

Emmanuel’s journey exemplifies resilience and determination, comparable to the story of Dr. Ben Carson. He first gained international recognition in 2018, winning the International Award for Student Brand of the Year in West Africa while still an undergraduate at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Graduating in Mass Communication in 2018, Emmanuel was acknowledged by the Vice-Chancellor as an extraordinary student, with his achievements archived in the university’s main library to inspire others.

He was also honored as the Most Innovative Student in Nigeria, Media Personality of the Year, and received several prestigious awards for his impactful initiatives and media influence.

After completing his service year, Emmanuel’s family gathered funds from various sources, enabling him to pursue further studies in the USA.

Known as ‘Mr. Voiceover,’ Emmanuel told a Vanguard correspondent that he was admitted to Cleveland State University in 2021 for graduate studies in School Counseling but later transferred to Cuyahoga Community College to gain a foundational background in Human Services.

On June 4, 2024, Emmanuel was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree in International Affairs (DIA) from Global Seminary University, New York, in collaboration with GEPEA University, Portugal. This honor recognized his contributions to promoting peace, sustainable mental wellness, and hope globally.

Additionally, he was named a Professional Doctoral Fellow by The Across Global Institute of Foreign Languages (AGIFL) for his impactful use of English to create positive change worldwide.

Emmanuel’s work in mental health awareness and suicide prevention has reached over 10 million young people globally through various school programs, media engagements, and interviews with prominent outlets like Vanguard Newspapers, BBC News (Pidgin), ITV, Galaxy TV, and Arise TV News.

In the USA, Emmanuel has achieved significant milestones. As a Student Government President and Vice President of the Joint Student Council Board across five campuses of Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, his leadership connected students to essential resources, including mental health support. His impact earned him awards such as “Distinguished Student Leader with a Big Heart” and “Outstanding Mental Health Advocate of the Year” by the Active Minds Organization.

Currently, Emmanuel serves as a Peer Reviewer and Judge for the United States Federal Department of Education, focusing on the School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) and Mental Health Services Professional Demonstration (MHSP) grant programs. His expertise and commitment to advancing mental health services are evident in his role.

Emmanuel’s involvement with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in Ohio State includes contributing to the Walk Committee, the Advocacy Committee, and the Education Committee. His efforts have significantly advanced suicide prevention and mental health education, earning him the Advocate of the Year award at the 2023 Annual Mental Health First Aid Summit in Ohio State.

Reflecting on these honors, Emmanuel stated, “Receiving these honorary Doctorate Honors is not just a recognition of my past efforts but a catalyst for future impact. It reinforces my commitment to mental health advocacy and suicide prevention, and I am inspired to collaborate with young champions and survivors to create a supportive environment for all to rise.”

Emmanuel’s research proposal and presentation through the Cleveland Humanities Collaborative, in partnership with Case Western Reserve University, emphasizes the critical importance of mental health awareness and innovative approaches to prevent adolescent and youth suicide. His initiatives, like the R.I.S.E Global Voices Organization, aim to promote resilience, inclusion, self-care, and empowerment among adolescents and youth.

His vision includes launching a social networking platform to connect young champions and survivors of traumatic experiences worldwide, providing training and support to help others. Additionally, he plans to launch collaborative projects with local and international human services agencies to address mental health challenges globally. Emmanuel’s dedication and innovative approaches continue to inspire hope and resilience in young people worldwide.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, VANGUARD