Oni Esther Abisola, a recent graduate of Adeleke University, has opened up about the five study strategies that earned her a first-class degree, even while she balanced student politics and chapel activities. In a TikTok video posted on her page @totesbyesther, Esther revealed her outstanding results, including a CGPA of 4.93.
She graduated as the second-best student in her department and the third-best in her entire faculty. “CGPA: 4.93. Graduating as the second-best graduating student in my department and the third-best graduating student in my faculty. Even as I type this, it still feels surreal,” she said.
Five Strategies Behind the Outstanding Result
Esther’s achievement is particularly noteworthy because she was far from being a reclusive student. Throughout her time at Adeleke University, she actively participated in student politics and chapel activities — commitments that often consume hours many students reserve purely for academic work. Nevertheless, she consistently kept her education as her primary focus, a decision she credits for her remarkable outcome.
In a follow-up video on her TikTok page, she broke down the five things she did consistently during her studies:
- Determination
- I took my academics seriously
- I planned to attend all my lectures
- Know your lecturers
- Take your CA very seriously
The list blends mindset with practical habits. Determination sits at the top, underscoring the role of intentionality before any study technique can take effect. Attending lectures consistently and treating continuous assessment (CA) with seriousness speak to the day-to-day discipline she maintained across her years on campus.
Her advice to get to know lecturers is particularly pointed. For many Nigerian university students, understanding how individual lecturers structure their courses, what they emphasise, and how they grade can make a meaningful difference in academic performance over time.
Thriving Despite a Demanding Campus Schedule
Esther’s story challenges the notion that students involved in non-academic activities cannot achieve top honours. By deliberately planning her lecture attendance and prioritising her assignments and tests, she managed to stay ahead even while fulfilling political and spiritual obligations.
She acknowledged that the path was not easy, but her consistent effort and focus paid off. Her experience serves as an inspiration for undergraduates who struggle with time management and competing priorities.
Students and Graduates React to Esther’s Story
Since sharing her journey, Esther’s post has resonated deeply with current students and recent graduates who recognise the difficulty of balancing personal ambitions with academic demands, particularly in a university environment full of distractions. Many took to social media to congratulate her and request more detail on how she maintained such high standards throughout her four-year journey.
Her success also highlight the importance of mentoring and lecturer-student communication, as she specifically urged students to understand their lecturers’ expectations and marking styles from the very beginning.
Another Nigerian Graduate Makes First-Class History
Esther is not alone in demonstrating excellence against the odds. In a related account from Legit.ng, a 19-year-old graduate of Babcock University, Daniel Eshiotienamhe Kadiri, earned a First Class in Software Engineering. Daniel disclosed that he finished with a 4.50 CGPA and did not fail a single course throughout his time at the university.
These remarkable accomplishments among Nigerian university students prove that with dedication, strategic preparation and consistent effort, achieving a first-class degree remains an attainable goal. Esther’s five-point roadmap offers a practical template that students across the country can adopt to boost their own academic performance. Her story is a testament to the power of determination, strong time management and godly focus in shaping a successful educational journey.
