Behind every outstanding academic feat is a story of guidance, resilience, and relentless effort. For Ayomide Balogun, a first-class graduate of the University of Lagos, mentorship and grit proved to be the defining forces that shaped his remarkable journey to academic excellence.
For Ayomide, one of the 25 students from the Faculty of Communications and Media Studies at the University of Lagos, Akoka, living with Professor Nubi, the father of Pelumi Nubi, who drove from London to Lagos, was a great inspiration, because his mentorship played a crucial role in his academic excellence.
“I stayed with Professor Nubi, and his mentorship really helped me a lot, seeing that he was also the best graduating student overall at Yabatech during his time.
Besides, Ayomide, who is popularly known as The Prof on campus, was determined right from his 200-level that he was going to do everything possible to graduate with first-class honours.
Hence, according to him, he was not surprised to achieve this remarkable feat.
Sharing his success trajectories, he said, “I had written it down from my 200-level days that I will come out with a first class. I wrote down the vision and I planned towards it.”
To achieve this set goal, he outlined a reading plan and promised himself that the score ‘C’ would no longer be his portion.
“I promised myself not to have a C cause it brings down one’s G.P and I also avoid bad energy from people during school elections,” he said.
Ayomide revealed that one secret that worked for him in achieving his set goal was reading to teach others. “I believe in teaching others to retain all I’ve read. So I read like about to teach a baby to understand. Maybe that’s why I’m ‘The Prof’.
Being the firstborn of his parents, he was determined to lead by example,e putting God first in his everyday endeavours even while on campus.
“I put God first, and also keep on reading, besides, I try to understand how lectures set questions and what they want in their examinations.
“I pay close attention to instructions and details especially to lecturers and exam questions,” he explained.
Moreover, the young entrepreneur who deals with Jerseys and sneakers ( EvoWardrobe ), and a master of ceremonies to make ends meet even as a student, ensured that he kept the promise of first-class he made to his mother, who happens to be another inspiration in his life.
Any time he remembers that, he is more determined not to let his mother down.
“I promised my mother I’ll graduate with first class, and yes, I love to be at the top too. I’ve seen people do it, I also want to do it,” he noted.
Ayomide does not agree with the notion that Nigerian public universities are producing more first-class students because lecturers are lenient with marks.
According to him, I have a lot of people in my class who didn’t make it up to a first class, though good results, but because of the lecturers’ marking guide, which made them fall behind in a first class.
“One of the lecturers once gave me a C , ‘omo o!’ I was so sad, I couldn’t stop thinking about it . I think they just try to be more strict with me and let me know if I’m doing well or not.”
As a fresh graduate awaiting his NYSC, he said, he is open to all opportunities.
“I see myself working with brands such as communication companies. I see myself as On air personality. Everything that has to do with mass communication, I, Ayomide David Balogun, is ready for it,” he said.
