February 17, 2025

Unilagsun

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It Requires More Than Talent- UNILAG VALEDICTORIAN

By Akano Islamiyat, Daniel Kelechi, Olaoye Gbemisola, Evwioma Amanda, Biam Hannah

In 2007, John C. Maxwell published a book titled “Talent is Never Enough”. Adebakin Harun, the best-graduating student at the University of Lagos, also believes talent is never the whole story. 

“Talent is not enough,” he says as he reflects on the journey that took him from carefree days on a football field to standing as the valedictorian of his class. He recalls coming second in his primary school class without much effort but didn’t value academic success then. 

“I said, ‘They are just lying’, and I just continued playing football,” he recalled his response after knowing he came second in his class.

It wasn’t until later in life that he realised that talent alone couldn’t sustain his success; it required effort, consistency, and intentionality. This would transform Harun into a student who embraced hard work and discipline to achieve his goals.

In an exclusive interview with UNILAG Sun, Harun narrated how he emerged as a fellow valedictorian for the 2023/2024 UNILAG convocation. For him, academic excellence was not just a goal but a journey. He maintained a flawless CGPA throughout his university journey, earning him several awards and recognition. 

Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Acknowledging the importance of having mentors, Harun emphasised that it was not just about individual effort but also about standing on the shoulders of elders and learning from their experiences.

“I didn’t just rely on my abilities. I sought guidance from my lecturers, mentors, and colleagues. I believed that by learning from others, I could gain new insights and perspectives to help me achieve my goals.”

He also highlighted the importance of assisting one another, no matter how little.

“People should not be shallow-minded irrespective of their background.” He also added. “Pointing fingers and blaming others for one’s failure should not be encouraged.”

According to him, people should always stay positive while using available opportunities.

Maintaining an outstanding CGPA was not Harun’s only goal, as he noted the numerous extracurricular activities that helped him become a well-rounded student. He actively participated in extracurricular activities and was the captain of his class football team and department. He was also a student at the Confucius Institute, where he learned the Chinese language, securing him a 100% score in the final examination of the institute.  

He remained focused and motivated despite numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and ASUU strikes. 

“I didn’t let the challenges discourage me,” he said. “Instead, I used them as opportunities to learn and grow. I believe that we can overcome any obstacle and achieve our goals by being adaptable and resilient.”

Discussing the impact he would like to make in his field of study, Harun mentioned that he is committed to a lasting effect on Cell Biology and Genetics, particularly in artificial intelligence and healthcare. He is currently working as an AI engineer. He is working on various projects that will be seen soon, including a foundation that offers scholarships and free data science training to life science students in Nigerian universities.

Indeed, hard work pays. His inspiring journey through the university serves as a reminder that with determination and hard work, anyone can achieve academic excellence and beyond in their chosen field of study.