February 16, 2025

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Brilliance Meets Creativity: How Laura Ajayi & Nimiie Navigate Academics and Fame

By Agboola Boluwatife, Chidozie Chidera, Yusuf Toyyeebah, Coker Ayomide, and Austins Doreen

Life at the University of Lagos can be overwhelming, with the frenzy of attending 8 a.m. classes, hacking at assignments, working on projects, and participating in extracurricular activities.  Despite all these, some students dare to take on even more. For Laura Ajayi and Ifeoluwa Ogunjebe, popularly known as Nimiie, the chaos of university life didn’t deter them; instead, it fueled their drive to excel academically while passionately pursuing their creative careers.

Laura, a Theatre Arts student, balanced her academic commitment with a vibrant presence in the creative industry. She wears many hats as a model, content creator, actor, writer, and artist. Interestingly, her background in theatre arts didn’t propel her interest in the creative industry. 

“I was interested in acting before I knew I would be a Theatre Arts student; everything just aligned properly,” she explained.

She attributed her success to effective time management and faith in God, which empowered her to excel in both worlds. Her strict adherence to a well-organised schedule and selectiveness in choosing projects are key strategies she uses to maintain balance. 

“I’m very picky with the people I work with because I know the image I’m trying to portray. That alone has helped me filter the kind of work I do and how rampant it is,” she shared.

Laura mentioned that her decision to stay in school was deeply rooted in her love and respect for her mother. 

“Starting, I wasn’t the biggest person in academics. I stayed in school for my mum. She’s one of my biggest inspirations, and I made it my goal to give her a good certificate. And so, whenever I had the opportunity to do something on the day I had important stuff to do in school, I always chose school because I knew what was ahead of me.”

Although the journey hasn’t been smooth sailing, having a solid support system makes it worthwhile. The model who has worked with brands such as Lagos Fashion Week, Urban Twist, and Nuban Beauty acknowledged the role of her family, friends, classmates, and lecturers in her success.

“It might seem funny mentioning my lecturers, but they’ve been very good to me. They’ve been kind, and I’ve had a wonderful experience with everyone.”

Laura’s journey is just beginning as she aspires to be a producer, director or screenwriter. “Maybe this is a personal thing, or maybe a theatre thing, but Theatre Arts students are always looking for the next big thing.”

Nimiie is a refreshing blend of intellect and charisma. She is a physics student, an actress, a model, and a hotshot influencer. She played Victory in the popular YouTube series “All of Us”.

She revealed that her focus is balancing her academics and career and achieving excellence in both worlds.

 “I feel like what I do is just aim higher, aim for the best in my academics, even though I know my creative pursuits are essential too. It’s not about choosing one over the other; it’s about giving my best to both.

“Last semester, I was aiming for straight As, and I think I got straight As and two Bs. So when you aim very high, there’s no way that the work you want to put in will not increase,” she said.

Nimiie recognises that balancing both worlds means one has to take a backseat for the other to excel. “Before exams, my creative pursuits are always my priority. But when it comes to deadlines, one will inevitably weigh more than the other.” 

While reflecting on her path, Nimiie admitted she didn’t plan her transition. 

“I think my problem then was that I didn’t know I had a flair for the creative industry. I just knew I could do a lot of things. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to attend science or art classes. I’m the type of person who’s very academically inclined but also very creative.”

Nimiie’s refusal to confine herself to a box stems from a deep-rooted belief that nothing is impossible if she sets her mind to it. 

“Right from when I was young, I’ve always been an ‘I can do anything’. As long as I’m learning, I can do it — this is my motto in life.” She also added a piece of advice. “Believe in yourself and understand that you can do anything. Start early, whether it’s studying during the holidays or planning. Small steps make a big difference. Create a schedule that works for you, dividing your time between studying and your creative pursuits. Be open to asking for help when needed, and don’t fear rejection. Opportunities are everywhere; you just have to go for them. And most importantly, trust that God is with you. You can achieve anything if you believe in yourself and stay persistent.”

For many, academics and entertainment are on opposite ends of the spectrum of a student’s life due to their highly demanding natures. However, Laura and Nimiie have skillfully bridged this gap, proving that excellence in education and stardom coexist.