University of Ibadan Graduate's Inspiring Academic Turnaround Story
A University of Ibadan graduate, Idongesit Ime, has become an inspiration to many after sharing his remarkable academic journey from a disappointing start to a triumphant finish. The graduate, who studied Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, detailed how he transformed his performance from a Third Class beginning to achieving a Second Class Honours Upper Division degree.
The Challenging Beginning
Idongesit's university journey began with what many would consider a discouraging start. In his 100 level, he earned a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 1.88 on a 4.00 scale, placing him firmly in the Third Class category. This initial performance could have demoralized many students, but for Idongesit, it served as the necessary wake-up call and motivation to change his academic trajectory.
"The poor result was the right and needed motivation for me to wake up and improve," he explained in his LinkedIn post that has since gone viral on social media platforms.
The Steady Climb to Success
Determined to improve, Idongesit began implementing changes to his study habits and focus during his second year. His efforts paid off immediately, as he raised his CGPA to 2.29 from the initial 1.88. This improvement marked the beginning of what he would later describe as his "comeback story."
The real breakthrough came in his third year when he achieved an impressive 17 A grades out of 21 courses, boosting his CGPA significantly to 2.81. This remarkable performance demonstrated what consistent effort and improved study techniques could accomplish.
Overcoming Final Year Challenges
Like many students approaching their final years, Idongesit faced increased pressure during his 400-level studies. He candidly shared his struggles, noting that he earned five A grades and several B grades across 11 courses during this period.
"Success isn't a straight line," he reflected. "In 400L, the pressure mounted and 'panic stations' trooped in. I ended up with 5 A's and several B's out of 11 courses. I was disappointed, but I remained grateful because it could have been worse."
By his final year (500 level), Idongesit had developed a calm but determined mindset. While he aimed to replicate his 17-A streak from third year, he achieved 13 A grades out of 17 courses, which proved sufficient to accomplish his mission of graduating with Second Class Honours Upper Division.
The Triumphant Conclusion
Idongesit proudly announced his achievement on LinkedIn, sharing his final results: "OBOT, Idongesit Ime, B.Agric (Agricultural Extension and Rural Development), Second Class Honours (Upper Division), University of Ibadan."
In his heartfelt post, he expressed gratitude to God for the strength to complete his journey and offered encouragement to others facing academic challenges: "To anyone currently staring at a result they aren't proud of: I dare you to dream, because I did, and worked for it."
Looking to the Future
The graduate has now turned his attention to professional opportunities, highlighting his strong interest in data analysis, particularly as it relates to agribusiness supply chains. He announced his openness to collaborations, roles, and opportunities where he can apply both his technical skills and the perseverance demonstrated throughout his academic journey.
Idongesit's story joins other inspiring academic comeback narratives from Nigerian universities, including a University of Ibadan law graduate who overcame fears about low cutoff marks to achieve first class honors, and another UI graduate who became the first in her family to earn a first-class degree in Law while maintaining leadership roles and publishing a book.
These stories collectively demonstrate that academic success is not always determined by initial performance but can be achieved through consistent effort, strategic improvement, and unwavering determination.
