Student Overcomes Admission Denial to Join University of Ibadan's MBBS Program
A determined young man has successfully matriculated into the University of Ibadan (UI) to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree, one year after being denied admission despite an impressive Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) score of 307. Ogundepo Promise, now a freshman at Nigeria's premier university, shared his academic journey on social media, highlighting the challenges he faced before achieving his goal.
Academic Journey Marked by Persistence and Improvement
Promise's path to UI was not straightforward. In 2023, he applied to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) with a UTME score of 291 but was denied admission. Undeterred, he aimed higher the following year, applying to UI with an improved score of 307, yet he faced another rejection. However, his perseverance paid off in 2025 when he scored 328 in the UTME, securing admission into UI's competitive MBBS program. He officially matriculated on March 11, 2026, celebrating the milestone on X with photos from the ceremony.
In his tweets, Promise detailed his scores: "291 - OAU (2023). 307 - UI (2024). 328 - UI MBBS (2025)." He also revealed that he achieved 80 out of 100 in his post-UTME, resulting in an aggregate score of 81, which surpassed the cut-off mark of 78.875. Expressing gratitude for his achievement, he mentioned being open to scholarship opportunities to support his medical studies.
Social Media Reactions and Encouragement
Promise's announcement garnered widespread congratulations and encouragement from the online community. Users on X praised his determination and offered words of support for his academic journey at UI. Comments included:
- @DDenbo69452: "Congrats ❤️❤️❤️. I'm also a first-year medical student."
- @OxLudwig: "Some will end up in Anatomy and Physiology. The very unlucky ones will be withdrawn and chased home; medicine isn't for the weak, bro."
- @ManuelOkuba: "Congratulations. More strength to excel and come out victorious. UI stress no be here oo."
- @Promise_Xvi: "Congratulations my bro. I wish you success in your journey, Welcome to UI."
Other users shared their own experiences, such as @Mickyjosh_22, who noted that a 328 score secured MBBS at UI but not at the University of Lagos, where they were transferred to Biochemistry. The positive responses underscored the inspiring nature of Promise's story amid the competitive Nigerian university admission landscape.
Broader Context of University Admissions in Nigeria
Promise's experience reflects the high stakes and challenges many students face in gaining admission to top Nigerian universities, particularly for sought-after programs like MBBS. His journey from denial to success highlights the importance of resilience and continuous improvement in academic pursuits. In a related context, other stories have emerged about students overcoming similar hurdles, such as a man who warned newly matriculated UI students about the rigors ahead and another individual who celebrated matriculation after a five-year wait post-secondary school.
This narrative serves as a motivational example for aspiring students, emphasizing that setbacks can be overcome with persistence and hard work. As Promise embarks on his medical studies, his story resonates with those navigating the demanding admission processes in Nigeria's educational system.
