Man Denied University of Ibadan Admission Twice Graduates as Best Student from Polytechnic
A young Nigerian man, Emmanuel Ogirima, has shared his inspiring academic journey after being denied admission to the University of Ibadan twice before eventually graduating as the joint best student from Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. The story has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread congratulations and discussions about alternative educational paths.
From UI Rejection to Polytechnic Success
Emmanuel Ogirima, identified as @emmy_ballerr on TikTok, revealed that he had always wanted to study economics at the prestigious University of Ibadan. He wrote his Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in 2018 and 2019, scoring above 200 in both attempts. While he didn't meet the cut-off mark the first year, he met it the second year but was still denied admission through a process he described as "story for another day."
After these two rejections, Ogirima decided to pursue his education at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, where he studied business administration instead. His perseverance paid off remarkably when he emerged as the joint best graduating student from the Faculty of Management Studies for the 2023/2024 academic session, achieving a final Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.62 out of 4.00.
Social Media Reactions and Celebrations
Ogirima shared his achievement on TikTok with a caption that read: "Nobody chase economics reach me for UI those years." The post quickly attracted numerous congratulatory messages from social media users who were inspired by his story.
Notable reactions included:
- OLUWAMAYOWA: "Plenty lows, Satisfying highs. Nevertheless God is faithful. Congratulations stranger"
- Temilade: "Congratulations sir. Happy for you omoh...similar story. Praying for me to be congratulated soon"
- _bigsublime01: "Congratulations, sir. The food is important see me tomorrow insha Allah"
- Zahrah2209: "You dey chase economics ke. Congratulations to you"
- Okikiola: "Delay isn't denial. Congratulations man"
Many commenters related to his experience, with one user stating "Nah only me fit relate" and another saying "Wahala for we weh get pass," highlighting how common such admission struggles are among Nigerian students.
Broader Context of Academic Success Stories
Ogirima's story is part of a growing trend of Nigerian students achieving remarkable academic success through alternative paths. In related developments:
- Another University of Ibadan graduate recently shared how he initially aimed for a second-class upper division but ended up graduating with first-class honors after realizing his potential in his first year.
- The University of Lagos' best graduating student previously revealed he was rejected by the University of Ibadan when trying to study medicine and surgery before finding success at UNILAG.
- Lagos State University's best graduating student also shared her admission struggles, including writing UTME twice before gaining admission and eventually excelling academically.
These stories collectively highlight that while admission to preferred universities can be challenging, determination and hard work can lead to outstanding academic achievements through various educational institutions.
Ogirima concluded his post with an optimistic note: "Still, It can and will get better," serving as encouragement to other students facing similar admission challenges. His journey from UI rejection to polytechnic excellence demonstrates that academic success is not limited to traditional university paths and that polytechnic education can provide equally rewarding opportunities for determined students.
