University of Ibadan Linguistics Graduate Overcomes 219 UTME Score to Complete Six-Year Journey
A Nigerian student has achieved a remarkable academic milestone by graduating from the University of Ibadan's Department of Linguistics and African Languages, despite facing significant challenges at the beginning of her educational journey. Barakat Bolanle Raji shared her inspiring story on social media, detailing how she persevered through multiple UTME attempts and extended university years to earn her degree.
From UTME Struggles to Graduation Success
Barakat Bolanle Raji's path to graduation was anything but straightforward. The determined student revealed that she wrote the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) twice, first in 2018 when she scored 233, and again in 2019 when her score dropped to 219. Despite meeting the University of Ibadan's cut-off mark with her initial score, circumstances led her to retake the examination the following year.
"I wrote JAMB twice, yes it was twice despite scoring 233 in my first JAMB," Barakat explained in her Facebook post. "It's not that I didn't meet the cut-off mark at the University of Ibadan, I did. I had to sit for another JAMB in 2019 which I had 219. I believe Allah knows the best for me."
Extended Academic Journey Due to External Factors
What was supposed to be a standard four-year linguistics program transformed into a six-year educational marathon. Barakat gained admission to the prestigious University of Ibadan in 2019, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced educational institutions to adapt to online learning models. Academic staff strikes further extended her time at the university, testing her resilience and determination.
The graduate finally completed her studies in February 2025, celebrating what she described as "not an easy task" but one accomplished through grace and perseverance. Her journey exemplifies how external circumstances can significantly impact academic timelines while demonstrating that persistence ultimately leads to success.
Family Support and Social Media Celebration
In her heartfelt Facebook announcement, Barakat expressed profound gratitude toward her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raji, acknowledging their sacrifices in terms of effort, time, and financial support throughout her extended educational journey. She emphasized that without their unwavering commitment, her achievement would not have been possible.
The graduation announcement sparked widespread celebration across social media platforms, with numerous friends, family members, and well-wishers offering congratulations and blessings. Comments poured in celebrating her academic accomplishment and wishing her continued success in future endeavors.
Broader Context of Nigerian Student Experiences
Barakat's story resonates with many Nigerian students who face similar challenges in their educational pursuits. From UTME preparation and university admission processes to navigating institutional strikes and global pandemics, her experience reflects broader systemic issues within Nigeria's higher education landscape while highlighting individual determination.
Her achievement adds to a growing narrative of Nigerian students overcoming obstacles to complete their degrees, serving as inspiration for current and prospective university students facing their own academic challenges. The linguistics graduate's journey demonstrates that initial setbacks, whether in examination scores or extended program durations, do not define ultimate educational outcomes when met with perseverance and support.
