Ayotundun Christianah Ojelabi has made history as Babcock University's overall Best Graduating Student at the College of Postgraduate Studies, earning a perfect 5.0 CGPA in Medical and Pharmaceutical Microbiology. In an exclusive interview with Pulse Nigeria, Ojelabi explained that her success was not the product of extraordinary intelligence but of discipline, self-awareness, and carefully chosen study habits. She also revealed that her research on silver nanoparticles synthesized from soursop leaf extract produced the first documented evidence of Enterobacter roggenkampii as an oral cavity pathogen in a Nigerian clinical population.
Discipline Outweighed Natural Brilliance
Ojelabi acknowledged that she is naturally capable, but she made it clear that her perfect score was not simply inherited. "I think I'm naturally capable," she said. "But the 5.0 itself was earned, not just inherited." Throughout her master's programme, she faced failed tests, botched laboratory experiments, and moments of deep self-doubt. Yet she insists that continuous discipline, rather than raw genius, carried her across the finish line.
She argued that many people misunderstand the relationship between intelligence and discipline. "I think the mistake people make is treating 'brilliant' and 'disciplined' as if you have to pick one," she told Pulse. "Ability without discipline just means you peak early and stop growing, while discipline is what took whatever natural ability I had and pushed it all the way to a perfect 5.0."
Practical Study Techniques That Worked
Ojelabi developed a learning style that matched her own mental processes. One of her most effective techniques was relatability. "I try to connect whatever I'm learning to something I already understand naturally," she explained. "Even when I cram the exact wording and eventually forget it, having that mental connection means I can reconstruct the idea from scratch instead of drawing a blank."
She also rewrote lecture notes in simpler language and frequently explained difficult concepts aloud, sometimes to classmates and sometimes to herself. Teaching became one of her most reliable study tools. "If I can explain it simply, then I know I truly understand it," she said. Interestingly, two popular study techniques failed her completely: mnemonics and study groups. Mnemonics confused her because she struggled to remember what each letter represented, and study groups often turned into distractions rather than productive sessions.
A Routine Built Around Self-Awareness
Ojelabi's daily routine outside of exam season was surprisingly ordinary. She studied only when she had a specific academic task ahead. However, in the two weeks leading up to examinations, she transformed her schedule drastically. From approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., she would sit in the university library or an empty classroom, deliberately avoiding friends to protect her concentration. She also preferred daytime studying, noting, "I function much better during the day."
This self-awareness extended to her research work. She performed numerous iterations of experiments and sought advice from multiple lecturers rather than relying on a single opinion. She acknowledged that some coursework nearly overwhelmed her, but she refused to give up on her goal of completing the programme in just three semesters, a feat that typically takes at least four.
The Hidden Value of Lecturer Relationships
Relationships with lecturers and mentors played a significant role in Ojelabi's success. She regularly approached lecturers for informal conversations about research challenges, laboratory work, and academic ideas. "I love picking my lecturers' brains sometimes when I run into them in casual, friendly discussions rather than the usual tension-filled, boring teaching-mode conversations," she said. Those relaxed discussions often taught her more than formal classroom interactions. She also credited senior students for providing useful insights through casual chats, adding that she wished she had taken advantage of such opportunities earlier during her undergraduate years.
She believes many students underestimate how much they can learn simply by talking to their lecturers. "A lot of us treat lecturers as people to avoid rather than people to learn from," she told Pulse.
Sacrifices, Including Romance
Ojelabi chose not to date during her master's programme, not because she considered romance incompatible with excellence, but because her goals demanded complete focus. With an ambitious plan to finish in three semesters, she spent most of her time in the laboratory. Most evenings left little energy for anything beyond eating, showering, and sleeping. "I genuinely didn't have the extra time for love," she admitted. She acknowledged that many students balance relationships and academics successfully, but she understood herself well enough to know that she needed to prioritise one over the other at that stage of her life.
Failure Was Part of the Journey
A perfect CGPA might suggest a flawless academic record, but Ojelabi's journey was anything but smooth. She failed some tests, botched experiments multiple times, and faced research setbacks that could have delayed her graduation by at least three semesters. At one point, she seriously considered giving up. "I think I gave up about three separate times," she recalled. What kept her going was seeing her own results. Whenever disappointment made her doubt her abilities, her grades reminded her that she was making progress, even when it didn't feel that way.
Advice for Students Seeking Excellence
Looking back, Ojelabi encourages students to test themselves regularly using past questions instead of simply reading notes. She also recommends building genuine relationships with lecturers and senior students who can guide them beyond the classroom. Protecting mental health is equally important, she says, because a tired brain cannot absorb information effectively. Rest, whether through sleeping, chatting with friends, or reading a favourite novel, is part of productive studying, not the opposite of it.
Most importantly, she advises students to stop comparing their routines with everyone else's. Some people learn best at midnight; others, like her, perform best in daylight. Success comes from understanding what genuinely works for you and remaining consistent with it.
Beyond the Perfect CGPA
For Ojelabi, the 5.0 CGPA means more than a perfect academic record. "The 5.0 isn't really about the number," she said. "It's proof to myself that I can commit to something difficult and see it through." This lesson extends beyond university walls. Degrees become certificates and grades become transcripts, but discipline and the will to stay committed after failure, iteration, and self-doubt remain priceless.
Ojelabi hopes to begin a PhD soon and continue building a career in microbiology. She wants her journey to inspire others to understand that excellence is rarely the product of genius alone. More often, it belongs to those who keep showing up, keep learning, and keep going, even when giving up feels easier.
