A Tie at the Top: Environmental Sciences Produces Two BGSs

By Success Essien, Jacinta Ijeoma, Okereke Ngozi, Mohammed Musa, Omope Oyinnijesu, Opeodu Morayoninuoluwa, Vincent Ejiroghene, Habeeb Abayomi, Idris Zainab, Precious Esah 

The Faculty of Environmental Sciences at the University of Lagos produced an unusual outcome this academic year as two students emerged as best graduating students in their respective departments with the same cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.82.

Akinseye Ayomide of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and Adetunji David of the Department of Estate Management topped their classes through different academic paths shaped by preparation, redirection, and consistency.

For Akinseye, his journey into urban planning was influenced by years of design experience before university. Reflecting on his early days at UNILAG, he said,

“I had a bit of background understanding because prior to university, I spent six years trying to find my feet and learning design software like AutoCAD and Photoshop. By the time I got into uni, I wouldn’t say I understood urban planning fully, but I knew what design was, and that helped me.”

That background did not shield him from early disappointment. 

“In my first semester, I had a B in an architectural course. I expected an A because I enjoyed the classes and thought I did well in the exams. It was tough to accept, but it helped me reassess myself and set realistic goals moving forward,” he explained.

Beyond academics, leadership played a key role in his growth. “People often see me as exuberant, but I used to be very shy. I still feel nervous speaking in front of crowds. Serving as departmental president, interacting daily with students and lecturers, helped me build my confidence,” he said. 

Preparing for presentations required extra effort.

“I would spend hours rehearsing and talking to myself just to get ready for those moments.”

A major turning point came during a difficult presentation. 

“I had to think on the spot and defend my work. Afterwards, my lecturer was impressed and later became my mentor. That moment gave me the confidence I needed for the remaining years of my course,” Akinseye recalled.

Adetunji David’s path into Environmental Sciences was less straightforward. Estate Management was not his first choice. 

“I picked architecture. That was what I wanted to study,” he said.

“I had never really thought of any other course.”

When architecture was no longer available during registration, the change was overwhelming. “I cried,” he recalled. 

“It felt sudden because I had no alternative in mind.”

Estate Management was introduced as a related option, though his understanding of it was limited. 

“All I knew then was that they buy and sell land or houses,” he said. After researching the course, his perspective changed. 

“I realised I could still work closely with architects, even if I wasn’t the one doing the drawings,” he explained.

His initial reluctance soon gave way to interest. 

“When I got into Estate Management, I wasn’t disappointed. It was interesting. At some point, I even preferred it,” he said.

Adetunji did not initially aim to graduate at the top of his class. 

“I just wanted to do my best and get good results,” he explained. However, his mindset shifted after his first results. 

“If I was more intentional, I could improve significantly,” he said.

While valuation and calculation-based courses came more easily, others required extra effort. 

“Property law and some other law courses were not my strongest areas. I didn’t fail them, but I had to work harder at them,” he admitted.

Graduating with a CGPA of 4.82, the same as his counterpart in Urban and Regional Planning, marked the fulfilment of his goal. “Success is achieving what you set your mind to achieve. I wanted a first class, and I achieved it,” Adetunji said.