Once Called a Failure, Nigerian Lady Defies the Odds with a 4.71 First-Class Degree

Khadijah Yussuf, once labeled a failure from childhood, defied the odds by graduating from the University of Lagos with a First Class degree and a 4.71 CGPA after overcoming academic setbacks, self-doubt, and limited opportunities.

A determined Nigerian woman, Khadijah Yussuf, has inspired many after graduating with a First Class degree (4.71 CGPA) despite being labeled a failure from her early school years.

Khadijah, who studied Employment Relations and Human Resource Management at the University of Lagos, revealed that she was often dismissed as academically weak during her primary and secondary school days. Those labels deeply affected her confidence and followed her into adulthood.

She began her university journey in 2018, but her academic path was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and prolonged ASUU strikes, stretching her program longer than expected. While many of her peers progressed, she struggled internally with self-doubt and feelings of being left behind.

One of her toughest challenges was failing to secure a formal internship, an experience she described as painful and discouraging. Instead of allowing it to define her negatively, she transformed the setback into purpose.

Her final-year research project focused on the real challenges she faced, titled:
“Exploring the Impact of Limited Internship Opportunities on the Career Readiness of HR Undergraduates – A Case Study of the University of Lagos.”

Rather than waiting for ideal opportunities, Khadijah created her own path. She gained practical experience through recruitment support roles, HR-related freelance work, team assistance, event organization, and leadership development. These self-driven efforts gradually rebuilt her confidence and strengthened her skills.

Her persistence paid off. In her final year, she recorded two perfect 5.0 GPAs, graduating with a 4.71 CGPA and earning First Class Honours.

Khadijah sees her graduation not just as an achievement, but as the beginning of a new chapter. She is now focused on building a career in Human Resources and HR Analytics and is open to internships, trainee programs, and entry-level HR roles.

Her story stands as a powerful reminder that early labels do not define destiny — resilience, consistency, and self-belief do.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIP REGION