“Group Studies Limit Me”– AAUA Overall Best Graduate

Yembi Oluwadara Glory, the 2023/2024 overall best graduating student from the Department of Business Administration at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), with 4.73 CGPA, in an interview with OLAYINKA AIYENERO shared his academic journey, challenges, and secrets to his success.

Briefly introduce yourself.

My Name is Yembi Oluwadara Glory from Lagos State, Eti-Osa Local Government to be precise.

What is your educational background?

I completed my secondary education at Hadex Comprehensive High School in 2014, where I held the position of Head Boy. Following that, I attended Hospitality School to pursue training as a chef. Subsequently, I enrolled at Adekunle Ajasin University to study Business Administration. During my time at the university, I took on various leadership roles, including Class Representative, Financial Secretary of the Association of Business Administration Students, and ultimately, President of the same association.

How do you feel as the overall best-graduating student?

I thought it was a joke until my name was called. It is an honour, and it shows that hard work pays off.

What routine did you follow that led to this academic excellence?

One of the methods I use is this, right from my 100 level, I revise all the lectures I have been taught for one hour each and during my free days I go to the library and just sit there for hours writing and reading. Apart from my lecture notes, I have another note where I learn things related to that course different from what the lecturers have taught in class. I tell my friends what I do, you can not do it, cause I barely sleep at night, mostly for 2-3 hours. Once in a while, I borrow books from the library and I have my timetable. I kept doing it for a while and it became part of me. I do not like reading for exams but I believe you should read to understand your course for yourself, your department and society at large.

Is Education a scam? Yes or No and why?

Very funny question! Education is not a scam because we learn every day. Education equips us with the knowledge and skills to make an impact, it puts us out there. A lot of people think education is a scam because they expect their results to get them to the foot of any organisation but it does not work that way. When you get the needed skills and knowledge, education just gives you the advantage. What you use the knowledge for matters a lot while you develop yourself and put yourself out there. In my department, for instance, we take on real-life situations, and we are given case studies to look at and find solutions for them. They are trying to put us in real-world scenarios and we have learnt to solve those problems and that is what education is all about.

What was your best experience or moment on campus?

That would be when I was elected as the president of the National Association of Business Administration and Management Students (NABAMS). I was extremely excited to lead the association.

How many As, Bs, and Cs?

I have (51) As, (12) Bs, (2) Cs, and (1) D.

Did you ever get into challenging times and how did you overcome them?

Yes, I lost my mum two years ago, I was depressed for a long time and I felt like giving up but by the Grace of God, I was able to pull myself together.

So sorry for your loss but how were you able to overcome the pain?

I used the pain as a motivation, I was down a lot and I did not recover fully. I kept consoling myself with ‘Mummy would have loved to see me succeed’ and the thoughts kept pushing me to do better. I am not fully healed but by the grace of God, I was able to come out of it.

How were you able to balance academics and extracurricular activities if any?

I planned my activities well, I made sure one did not clash with the other. I always know what I am supposed to do and regardless of how tired and weak I may feel, I finish all my daily activities.

Who or What was your biggest motivation?

My mum. She stood by me and I promised to make her proud. I am sure she would be proud of me.

Did you ever struggle with a lecturer or course? How did you overcome it?

I do not think I struggled with a lecturer but a particular 400-level course stressed me a bit. It was an easy course but I found it very strange and I gave it more hours. I was not in a hurry to learn it and it turned out easier than I expected and I understood it better than others that grasped it before me.

What study habits or techniques worked best for you? Did you rely on group studies, personal study sessions, or a mix of both?

Personally, I read alone. Group studies limit my ability to explore.

What is your advice to students who desire this kind of academic excellence?

Keep your head up, learn, develop yourself and immerse yourself in your course of study. Do not give room for distractions and stay to God at all times.

If you had to summarize your journey in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?

Success through determination.

Why?

Irrespective of the challenges I faced, I was able to weather the storm which makes this achievement meaningful.

How do you intend to use your degree to make an impact in your field or society?

Business Administration is a very wide area. I have always discussed the use of technology in management, streamlining operation processes to ensure that business procedures are easier to manage than they used to be. The world is moving towards a phase of technology such as AI and Nigeria is one country that we have not fully adopted that use into various organisations processes. One thing I have come up with is to ensure that I can get adequate certification in technological areas related to management and use that area to improve business operations in my country to ensure that we can meet our production capacity as a country and grow in the area of technology.

After graduating, what’s next?

CIPM and NIM certifications and my Master's degree.