OAU Graduate's Inspiring Academic Transformation from 2.92 CGPA to First Class Honors
A recent graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has captured widespread attention on social media by sharing her extraordinary academic journey, which saw her rise from a modest cumulative grade point average (CGPA) to achieving first-class honors. Oluwashewa Dianne Oguntubo, who earned a degree in Animal Science, detailed her progression from a 2.92 CGPA in her first year to an impressive final CGPA of 4.50 out of 5.0, culminating in her graduation in 2025.
From Humble Beginnings to Academic Excellence
In a heartfelt post on her LinkedIn profile, Oguntubo revealed the breakdown of her academic performance over five years. She started with a CGPA of 2.92 in her first year, characterized by GPAs of 2.89 and 2.94. However, through relentless dedication and hard work, she steadily improved her grades. By her second year, her CGPA had climbed to 3.74, with GPAs of 4.47 and 4.60. The third year marked a significant leap, as she achieved perfect GPAs of 5.0 in both semesters, boosting her CGPA to 4.19.
Her fourth year saw continued excellence with GPAs of 4.86 and 4.91, raising her CGPA to 4.38. Finally, in her fifth year, she maintained perfect GPAs of 5.0, securing a final CGPA of 4.50 and graduating with first-class honors. Oguntubo expressed gratitude for this achievement, noting that it seemed improbable after her initial struggles but was made possible through perseverance and support.
Scholarships and Awards Accompany Academic Success
As her academic performance improved, Oguntubo's efforts were recognized with two scholarships that provided significant financial assistance. These faith- and academic-based scholarships partially covered her tuition fees in her fourth year and fully paid for her final year, alleviating financial burdens and enabling her to focus on her studies.
Beyond the scholarships, Oguntubo was honored with two prestigious university awards during her convocation. She received the Professor Ofelia Galman Omitogun Prize for the highest score in Fundamentals of Animal Biotechnology and the Professor Emmanuel Babafunso Sonaiya Prize for the best graduating student with the highest score in Animal Production. These accolades highlighted her exceptional performance in specialized areas of her field.
A Message of Motivation and Gratitude
In her social media post, Oguntubo extended heartfelt thanks to God, her parents, siblings, lecturers, friends, and reading partners, emphasizing that their support was instrumental in her success. She also shared an inspiring message for others, encouraging them not to give up on their dreams despite doubts or setbacks. Quoting George Herbert, she wrote, "He who aims at the sky shoots higher than he who aims at the tree," urging people to set ambitious goals and persist in their efforts.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of hard work and resilience in academic pursuits. It resonates with many students facing similar challenges, offering hope and motivation to strive for excellence regardless of initial obstacles.
