Joshua Oyeleke Shines as UNILAG’s Faculty of Health Professions Top Student

By Success Essien, Jacinta Ijeoma, Okereke Ngozi Blessing, Mohammed Musa, Omope Oyinnijesu, and Opeodu Morayoninuoluwa

Joshua Oyeleke grew up in an environment where science students usually had only two choices: Engineering or Medicine. He chose Medicine, fueled by the hope of helping a relative with a health condition that no one seemed able to fix. However, when his final grades were not high enough for the medical programme, he was admitted into Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) instead.

While some might have seen this as a setback, Oyeleke did not regret the change. He went online, did his research, and realised that the laboratory is where the real answers are found. “Laboratory results actually contribute to about 70% of medical decisions,” he explained. Today, he is the best graduating student (BGS) of the Faculty of Health Professions, proving that you can change the world from behind a microscope just as effectively as from a bedside.

The journey was far from easy. Year two introduced dense courses like anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry that felt like a wall of information.

“Anatomy was very bulky for me, so it was a lot to read. I tried my best to go for every class and read at least a slide a day,” he said.

By year three, the pressure intensified with advanced lab courses and professional exams. There were moments when he felt like he was reaching his limit.

“I walked into an exam and went blank. I thought I was going to fail,” he admitted. Yet, he stayed in his seat and fought through the panic. “I encouraged myself right there in the hall. I told God that if I could pass this course, I would give Him all the glory.”

While many think top students spend every waking hour behind a desk, Afolabi prioritised his peace of mind. He was a regular at football matches, concerts, and movies.

“You don’t live in the library to be successful,” he said. “Taking care of your mental and physical health is just as important.”

He credits his survival to the people around him. From his mentor, Michael Ayomide, who shared his own mistakes, to his roommates and his HOD, who provided a map through the chaos.

“The mentoring scheme was a major contributor to my journey. My friends and roommates also supported me throughout university.”

For Afolabi, the real learning happened when he stepped into the labs at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Watching blood transfusions and testing for germs made the textbooks real.

“The practical work helped me appreciate the theory behind it. Knowing how the tests worked in the lab gave me a deeper understanding of my field,” he reflected.

Now that he has the title of best graduating student, he is already looking past it. He wants to dive into public health and find plant-based ways to fight drug-resistant infections.

“What excites me the most is the impact I’m going to make in the outside world,” he said. “The title is just recognition. The real goal is to contribute to improving healthcare delivery.”

His advice to those still in the thick of it is to stop looking at what others are doing. He believes success is a personal race, not a competition with the person sitting next to you.

“Be consistent, know when to read and when to rest, and don’t compare your journey with others,” he said.

“Don’t be an island of knowledge,” he added. “Helping others actually makes you go far in life.” He encourages students to use tools like YouTube to simplify difficult topics and to never be afraid to ask for help when they feel stuck.