The Secret of UNILAG A-list Student Seun Akinfolarin’s Academic Triumph

By Ugo Aliogo

It was a moment of triumph and celebration at the 50th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Lagos, as Seun Ganiyat Akinfolarin graduated with First Class Honours, achieving an outstanding CGPA of 4.80 on a 5.0 scale. Her academic excellence set a new benchmark in her department and echoed throughout the entire Faculty of Engineering.

Crowned the Best Female Graduating Student in the nation’s foremost academic institution, Akinfolarin not only shattered long-standing records but also defied enduring stereotypes, redefining what is possible for women in engineering.

The University of Lagos, a highly competitive and resource-intensive institution, admits some of the brightest minds from across Nigeria and outside the country. Standing out in such a fiercely intellectual environment is a feat in itself, achieving First Class status in Engineering places Akinfolarin at the very pinnacle of academic success.

When she was called to the podium to receive her prize, fellow students, lecturers and guests clapped in recognition of her remarkable achievement.
Akinfolarin was among 12,843 students who graduated at the ceremony. The 2017/2018 Best Ph.D. Thesis Award was presented to Ajibade Oluwaseyi Ayodele of the Faculty of Engineering for his research on composite materials for automotive brake systems.

The week-long programme also witnessed the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on personalities who have distinguished themselves by significantly contributing to scholarship and societal development in various fields.

They were the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr. Daniel K. Olukoya, former federal commissioner for works and housing, Mr. Lateef Okunnu (SAN), and the founder of Zenith Bank PLC, Mr. Jim Ovia. The university elevated Professor Sulaiman Adeniyi Adekola to the status of Emeritus Professor.

Speaking with reporters, Akinfolarin explained that she was determined from her diploma days to give her best. “From the very beginning, I knew I wasn’t just here to pass; I came to excel,” she said.

“Discipline, consistency, and surrounding myself with people who challenged me to grow made all the difference. I treated every class, every test, like it counted for everything.”

Akinfolarin commenced her tertiary academic journey with a Diploma in Chemical Engineering at the prestigious University of Lagos, Akoka, in September 2013.By July 2014, she had successfully completed the Diploma programme and in September of that year advanced to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.

From the very first day of her undergraduate studies, Akinfolarin made her intentions unmistakably clear: she was determined not just to excel, but to be the best. Her unwavering dedication, marked by long nights of study, complex lab experiments, and a relentless pursuit of mastery, became a defining feature of her academic life.

She needed to go the extra mile because Chemical Engineering is one of the most complex disciplines in engineering, blending advanced mathematics, physics, thermodynamics, process design, and chemistry. The curriculum demands rigorous analytical thinking, lab precision, and sustained mental focus over long periods.

Excelling in this field requires not only intelligence but also emotional endurance and strategic time management.
This course of study is one of the most mentally demanding programmes in the university system, combining deep theoretical knowledge with real-world problem-solving under immense academic pressure. In this discipline, where only a fraction of students manage to secure First Class Honours, and where female representation remains disproportionately low, Akinfolarin not only succeeded, she soared.

When she completed her degree in the last quarter of 2018, her performance not only set new academic benchmarks in her department but also resonated across the entire Faculty of Engineering. She emerged as the Best Female Graduating Student, breaking long-standing records and stereotypes in one swoop.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said that the university’s management had pursued uncompromising academic standards, local and global networks and innovative fundraising mechanisms in an effort to make the institution better.

According to Prof Ogundipe, of the 12,843 graduating students, 7,438 were first degree recipients (57.9%) and 5,405 were postgraduate degree awardees (42.1%), reflecting the university’s growing contribution to Nigeria’s intellectual and professional workforce.
Beyond academic accolades, Ogundipe said, the university has made notable strides in research, innovation, teaching, and community engagement. The current administration, he added, has prioritised the reinforcement of academic excellence, the expansion of international collaborations, the adoption of creative funding strategies, and the promotion of transparency and accountability in institutional governance.

Convocation Lecture

In the Convocation Lecture titled “Nigeria Rising: The Path to Prosperity”, delivered by the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, an alumnus of the university, he said the University had in the past 50 years, become the premier institution of higher education in Nigeria, by far, the first among equals.

“For this we owe a debt of gratitude to the excellent academics and administrators, whose talents innovation and commitment to learning through the years have put this place on the enviable pedestal on which it stands today.

“Being here for me is doubly pleasurable, aside from the privilege of being invited to speak at this historical ceremony, it is also a homecoming for me. I graduated here in 1978, and I was engaged as a lecturer in the Faculty of Law in November 1981, 38 years ago. It was here that my world view was birthed and honed, my positions on public and social justice, my scepticism of purist and allegedly sacrosanct economic ideologies, my belief that the dynamism and immeasurable potential of humankind informs that the most crucial pillar of government economic policies must be on how to consistently improve the quality of Human Resources,” Osinbajo said.

Why Akinfolartin’s Feat Matters

Only a small percentage of students, less than one per cent in many Nigerian engineering faculties, graduate with First Class Honours. Among these, female representation is even more limited, making Akinfolarin’s distinction as Best Female Graduating Student in UNILAG’s Faculty of Engineering not just an individual triumph, but a landmark moment in gender representation in STEM in Nigeria.

Her achievement is more than personal; it sends a powerful message to young women across Nigeria and beyond that brilliance knows no gender. Akinfolarin’s story has the potential of inspiring a new generation of female scientists and engineers to aim higher, believe deeper and work harder.
The university, in a letter signed by Registrar Oladejo Azeez, expressed pride in her achievement and urged her to carry the UNILAG legacy as a symbol of national excellence.

“It is hoped that you will use this award as a springboard to continually project the image of the university as the nation’s pride,” the university said.
Attaining a First Class degree in such a demanding and mathematically rigorous discipline is no small feat; it requires not only exceptional intellect, but also unwavering discipline, resilience, and countless hours of study and sacrifice. In a field where only a fraction of students ever cross the threshold into First Class, Akinfolarin’s achievement stands as a testament to her extraordinary work ethic and brilliance. And in a faculty where fewer than one in ten students reach this level, and where women are vastly underrepresented, Akinfolarin’s success becomes not just an academic story, but a cultural milestone.

Reflecting on her journey, Akinfolarin said, “I wanted to show what was possible for young girls in science.”

About the Prize: Winning The Best Graduating Student Award at the University of Lagos, a global academy, serving at the intersection of trans-continental knowledge exchange and collaborations, is more than a medal or certificate; it is a mark of exceptional discipline and achievement in one of Africa’s most demanding academic environments. For the recipients, it becomes a defining milestone, one that often signals the start of an influential journey in academia, industry, or leadership.

This award remains a powerful symbol of what’s possible when talent meets opportunity and resolve.

Established over six decades ago, the University of Lagos has been a beacon of qualitative and research-oriented education for thousands of knowledge seekers who come to its domain from Nigeria and abroad.

UNILAG stands tall as a premier institution known for academic rigour and intellectual distinction. Among its most celebrated traditions is the Best Graduating Student Award, an honour bestowed on the most outstanding students across faculties during convocation ceremonies. This accolade is more than a recognition of academic brilliance; it represents the culmination of diligence, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Criteria for the Award

The Best Graduating Student Award is granted primarily on the basis of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Students who attain the highest CGPAs within their faculties or programmes are nominated for the award. In some cases, where multiple students attain exceptionally high CGPAs (such as a perfect 5.0), additional faculty or departmental input may be used to determine the final awardee.

Eligibility and reach

Eligibility for the award is open to students from all over the world who are able to overcome UNILAG’s stringent admission criteria in a given academic session. This includes both the Akoka main campus and relevant satellite campuses or institutes such as the University of Lagos Business School and the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies.

All eligible students are automatically considered based on academic records submitted during convocation processing.
The Awarding Authority
The award is conferred by the University of Lagos Senate, often in conjunction with faculty boards and the Vice-Chancellor’s Office. These academic bodies are responsible for maintaining standards of merit and integrity in the selection process.
UNILAG itself, which was established in 1962, is consistently ranked among Nigeria’s top three universities and is internationally recognised for its research, alumni impact, and contribution to higher education in Africa.

Significance of the Honour

While the award is institutional, it carries weight far beyond the campus gates. For students, being named a best graduating student often becomes a springboard into prestigious job opportunities, postgraduate scholarships, or national fellowships. The feat routinely garners national media coverage, particularly when CGPAs approach the rare 4.90–5.00 range.

Number of Annual Recipients

Each academic session typically sees:• One best graduating student per faculty or institute

Occasionally, an overall best graduating student across the university
Recognition for best postgraduate or PhD thesis
Depending on the convocation format, dozens of students across faculties and schools may be honoured. In recent years, UNILAG has also distinguished top graduates in broad domains—Science, Humanities, and Management Sciences—at the convocation level.
Some past Laureates
A review of past recipients reveals a consistent pattern of excellence across disciplines. Notable winners include:
Bakre Oluwafemi popularly called Jakre, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) best graduating student for the 2012/2013 session, finished from the department of electrical and electronics engineering with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.86.

Iziren Akhigbe was the centre of attention at the 2011 convocation ceremony of University of Lagos. Akhigbe, who read Mechanical Engineering, was pronounced as the best graduating student with an all-time record of 4.98 CGPA.

For the 2013/2014 session, Chemical Engineering graduate Korede Akinpelumi emerged as the best graduating student. Akinpelumi scored 4.96 CGPA out of the maximum 5 points available.