From Withdrawn Admission to Best Graduating Student: Temiloluwa’s Success Story

By Adeoye Esther, Sorungbe Olufisayo, Chidozie Chidera, Ogunekun Titilayo

Desperate times call for desperate measures, people often say. But what is the limit to how far you can go to get what you want? Would you falsify your age to get into the University? 

For Temiloluwa Igbinlade, who would eventually finish as the best-graduating Department of Mass Communication student with a 4.78 CGPA, her desperation got the better part of her. 

In her words, “It was UNILAG or nothing.” 

When the idea of falsifying her age presented itself, Igbinlade embraced it. Part of her assured herself that she could get away with it. And just like she had dreamed, her admission came through!

“I didn’t meet the merit cut-off mark, so I wasn’t expecting it. I was so excited,” she revealed.

Little did Igbinlade know that ill-gotten gains never prosper. Just as she returned to school for her second semester, she got an email informing her that her admission had been withdrawn. 

“I didn’t even bother fighting. I knew it was my age issue and that it would come back to bite me anyway,” she recalled.

It seemed like Igbinlade’s life was coming to an end. But fortunately for her, it was just taking a more favourable turn. The Senate eventually reinstated her admission and allowed her to continue her studies with the next set.

This experience shaped Igbinlade’s mindset and equipped her to face her academics. She started on a new slate again, finishing her first semester with a Grade Point of 5.0. That was enough to prove her brilliance.

“I wasn’t expecting much, so when I got my first 5.0 in 100 level first semester, I was just like, okay. I didn’t think I was that brilliant,” she shared.

As she progressed, she encountered a series of challenges. Notable amongst them was constant forgetfulness. The difficulty in assimilation and retention that Igbinlade faced became a concern to her.

“I would cry every time I wanted to read. I could read about a particular topic for the whole day, and I probably would not remember anything at the end of the day,” she sadly recalled.

This was a challenging period, but it taught her to trust God more. Consequently, her situation improved, and her reading and retention ability enhanced.

While academics were a cornerstone of her university life, Igbinlade’s journey was far from one-dimensional. From volunteering at UNILAG Radio 103.1fm, UNILAG’s official radio station, to interning with the BBC during the ASUU strike, she seized every opportunity to gain practical experience.

Igbinlade recounted the firm belief that her lecturers, course adviser, friends, and family had in her. 

“I don’t know why, but for some odd reason, they believed in me. My dad would always say that he had always expected more. He would say, ‘I know you are going to be a first-class student, but be extraordinary.’ So when I told him that I was the BGS of my set, he was like, I knew it. I knew that you would make me proud.”

Temiloluwa offers practical advice to students striving for academic success.

“Be very positive. Don’t build your whole life around school. There is so much more than that. Be open to opportunities you can learn from.” 

Speaking of her plans for the future, she has her eyes set on a bright future in the broadcast industry. “I see myself producing TV shows and hosting them. I see myself being a radio presenter, writing scripts, and producing my films.”

Igbinlade’s story will not be forgotten anytime soon. After she spent a semester attending lectures, writing exams, and making friends, the school management withdrew her admission. Still, she rose from the ashes of defeat to finish strong as the Best Graduating Mass Communication student. She is proof that academic excellence is attainable, no matter the setback.