Esther Ayomide Adepoju is a researcher and food security advocate who believes Africa can feed Africa. She graduated from the Department of Agricultural Economics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), for the 2024–2025 session. She finished with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.69 on a scale of 5.0. In this interview by Ifeoluwa Adeyeye, she speaks about her academic journey.

At what point in your academic journey did you begin aiming for a First Class? And what does the first-class feat mean to you?

From my very first day at the university, I believed it was possible. Even though I didn’t have everything figured out at the start, I had good friends around me. Together, we made First Class our target every semester.

Graduating with a first class means that there is nothing I set my heart on, with God by my side, which I can’t accomplish.

If you could describe the real secret behind graduating with a first class in one sentence, what would you say it is?

My sustainability is rooted in my dependence on God.

What study habits helped you maintain academic excellence?

I was a night reader because my days were always busy because of my business and church activities. I didn’t always have time to read during the day. So, I made the nights count. Studying alone also worked for me.

Additionally, I had a structured timetable. However, sometimes I would attend night classes and not feel like reading a particular course. In those moments, I switched to another course that suited my mood.

How did you prepare for tests and examinations? Was it different from the way your peers did?

I am not sure how others prepare for their tests and exams. But I start reading early, before the notes pile up, so I don’t get overwhelmed later.

Were there courses you found challenging, and how did you overcome them?

Yes, I had some challenging courses. However, what I did was to identify them early. I asked people ahead of me who had taken the course and collected two or three sets of past examination questions so I could know how the questions were set. I also taught my friends and coursemates so the knowledge would stick.

What sacrifices did you make to maintain academic excellence that people around you may not have noticed?

I don’t know if people around me noticed, but one of the sacrifices I made was consistently praying about my academics and staying committed to my goals.

What was the most difficult academic challenge you faced, and what kept you going?

I can’t remember a particular moment or challenge. But I recall a time I had an awaiting result in a borrowed course. I had to keep going to the department consistently to resolve it. Despite challenges like that, my CGPA never dropped because I always made a conscious effort to improve it every semester, and I achieved that.

There were some discouraging moments too, especially my first result. I felt discouraged because I had read and prepared well, yet I came out with a 3.78. But what kept me going were the words my brother said to me after seeing my result.

Who were the key people who supported your academic journey? Did your lecturers, family, and friends play a role in helping you stay focused?

Honestly, the people I clearly remember are my brother and my parents. My family has always been my support system. My parents have always been ready to sponsor me anytime, any day. And my brother, after every result I sent to him, would always tell me, “You can do better next semester.” That constant reminder kept me pushing. My father always tells us to give our all in any examination because it won’t take more than a month.

I also thank God for the kind of friends I had in school because they believed we could have A’s all through.

How has graduating with a First Class changed the way you see yourself? And what advice would you give to students aiming to achieve the same stellar result as you did?

Graduating with a First Class has made me see myself as a goal-getter and a winner.

My advice to students aiming for a First Class? One common misconception is that First Class graduates find it harder to get jobs compared to others. My advice to students affected by this belief is that there are opportunities in life that only academic excellence can open. Don’t be discouraged or misled.

What are your plans after graduation, and what impact do you hope to make in your field of study?

My plan is to get a fully funded scholarship to study my niche abroad.

The impact I hope to make is to contribute meaningfully to my field and create lasting value wherever I find myself. (Saturday Tribune)