In a defining story of resilience and academic rebirth, Akano Abisola Elizabeth has graduated from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) with a First-Class honours degree in Education Economics, overturning a difficult chapter in her early university life where she was forced to withdraw from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) due to extremely low academic standing.
Abisola’s higher education journey began with promise at OAU, where she gained admission to study Biochemistry. However, during her first years, she faced significant challenges, with her Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) falling below 1.0, prompting the university to advise her to withdraw in 2018. The experience left her devastated and uncertain about her future.
Despite the setback, she refused to give up. In 2019, she retook the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and secured admission into UNILAG to study Education Economics. Determined to succeed, she focused on her academics with a new resolve, ensuring that she would never fail again. Her commitment paid off: she did not score below a B in any course throughout her programme.
Her outstanding academic performance culminated in a CGPA of 4.91, earning her the title of Best Graduating Student (BGS) in the Department of Education Economics. She was also recognized as the Second Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Education and counted among the top graduates across UNILAG.
In her own words, Abisola shared her journey on social media:
“Congratulations Akano Abisola Elizabeth. Quick story about my academic journey. I finished my secondary education in 2015 and gained admission into OAU to study Biochemistry. I started failing from my first semester which was weird because I knew I was a bright student. By the end of my second year, I was advised to withdraw because my CGPA had gone lower than 1.0 so I dropped out in 2018. I was broken and wasn’t sure that school was meant for me. With the support of my family, I tried again. I took JAMB in 2019 to study Economics Education in the University of Lagos. I got in very uncertain about the future but with one resolve, I will never fail again. With the help of God, I never failed again. I never got below a B in any course. I graduated with a first class. Not only a first class but as a Best Graduating Student. I am Akano Abisola Elizabeth, Bachelor of Science in Education (Education Economics), with a CGPA of 4.91. BGS Education Economics Cohort. BGS Social Sciences Education Department. 2nd Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Education. One of the Best Graduating Students in the University of Lagos. God has changed my story from a dropout to a BGS.”
Her story has resonated widely online, with many praising her resilience and determination. Social media users celebrated her journey, highlighting it as a motivational blueprint for students facing academic challenges.
