A remarkable academic achievement has captured national attention as a brilliant Nigerian student shares the formula behind her outstanding success at one of Nigeria's premier universities.
Meet Elizabeth Omolara Kayode: UNILORIN's Shining Star
Elizabeth Omolara Kayode has emerged as the overall best graduating student at the University of Ilorin, achieving the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average in her cohort. The civil engineering student from Ogbomoso North, Oyo State, has become an inspiration to thousands of Nigerian students aspiring for academic excellence.
In an exclusive interview, Elizabeth revealed her multifaceted personality beyond academics. "I'm a creative and passionate learner who loves collaborating with others and giving back to the community," she shared. Her diverse interests include mentoring, crocheting, drawing, makeup artistry, and fashion design.
The academic prodigy began her educational journey at Maryland Catholic Nursery and Primary School, then proceeded to Nigerian Navy Secondary School before her remarkable achievement at UNILORIN. Her professional experience includes internships at Goldsworth Engineering Services Ltd and Yolas Consultants Ltd.
The Success Formula: Balancing Faith and Hard Work
Elizabeth attributes her achievement to a powerful combination of spiritual devotion and academic discipline. "I'm humbled by God's grace and guidance throughout my academic journey," she expressed during the interview.
She revealed her guiding mantra: "Pray like you didn't read, and read like you didn't pray." This philosophy, taught by one of her secondary school teachers, became the cornerstone of her daily routine.
"I start each day with prayer and goal-setting, and I've developed a consistent study routine that works for me," Elizabeth explained. Her approach involved setting ambitious targets, including aiming for a perfect 5.0 CGPA, which pushed her to maintain exceptional focus throughout her studies.
Practical Strategies for Academic Excellence
Beyond spiritual practices, Elizabeth implemented concrete study methods that contributed to her success. She emphasized the importance of regular note reviews, consistent problem-solving practice, and seeking help when needed.
"I'd say it's a combination of consistency, discipline, and faith," she noted. "I developed a study routine that worked for me, and I stuck to it."
Her leadership roles in professional organizations like AIESEC, the National Society of Black Engineers, APWEN, and NICESA demonstrate her well-rounded approach to personal development. Elizabeth maintained top results in her department consistently throughout her university education.
Advice for Aspiring High Achievers
Elizabeth offered practical advice for students aiming to replicate her success. She stressed the importance of developing personalized routines and maintaining commitment to them.
Key recommendations include:
- Develop a routine that works for you and stick to it consistently
- Set achievable goals and maintain focus on them
- Don't hesitate to seek help when needed - build your support system
- Balance academic pursuits with other aspects of life
- Trust the process and maintain commitment through challenges
Her final piece of wisdom encapsulates her approach: "Work hard, pray harder." This balanced perspective on academic achievement emphasizes both spiritual faith and practical effort as essential components of success.
The story of Elizabeth's achievement comes as another Nigerian student, Isioma Sybil from Lagos State University, also made headlines by graduating with first-class honors in Biochemistry with a remarkable 4.93 CGPA. These success stories continue to inspire Nigerian youth toward academic excellence.
