Lost My Dad in 200 Level. Married with a child and still emerged best graduating student with 4.90 out of 5.0

…… Without God, my dear mother, brother, husband and colleagues, I could not have emerged as best graduating student.

The 30^th Convocation Ceremonies of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta held recently left behind great memories which is one of the cardinal features of the foremost university adjudged to be one of the best in Nigeria and by extension, Africa.

In this interview, ValidViewNetwork takes a look at the inspiring story of the best graduating student of the University, Mrs. Oguntola (Tijani) Oluwatoyin Naheemah, a First Class graduate from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of the University.

Born in February 1995, to the family of Tijani Abdul Ganiy, the beautiful and brilliant Oguntola Tijani started her academic exploits at Christlead Nursery and Primary school, Egbeda Lagos before proceeding to Unique Progressive College Sango, Ogun state where she had her SSCE.

Former Miss Tijani Toyin is the beautiful daughter Mr and Mrs Tijani Abdul Ganiy , amiable wife of Mr Olanrewaju Oguntola and caring mother of a beautiful daughter. Navigating the tripodal hurdles of being a good daughter to her widowed mum, a lovely wife to her husband and caring mother to a daughter and yet emerging as the best graduating student in the University is by all standards a great task.

You can call it breaking barriers, daring the odds, Beautiful and Brilliant, Multitasking, The Nigeria Spirit or any other. The constant is that Mrs Oguntola Oluwatoyin has written her name in gold as one of the contemporary women who refused to allow situations and circumstances to stop them. She has carved a niche for herself as a committed, focused , dogged lady who believes that no circumstance is enough excuse for failure.

Mrs Oguntola attributed her emergence as the best graduating student to God, her mother, brother , her husband and her colleagues who provided and enabling environment for to thrive. Full of thanks to God Almighty, she was full of thanks to her mum who she described as an epitome of motherhood who stood with her to nurture her dream to reality particularly with the loss of her dad in 2019.

Her words : ‘’ I lost my dad in December 2019. That was just when I was about to write my 200L second semester examination. At first, no one called to inform me about it from home, not until a friend sent a condolence message on Whatsapp and I was like is there a mix up or something, immediately he realized that  I had not been told, he said it was a mistake that the message was meant for another TOYIN. When I later got the news, I was so devastated, and it seems like my World have been shattered but Alhamdulilahi for friends and loved ones around me’’.

‘’I would like to acknowledge the effort of my elder brother, TIJANI IBRAHIM who took up the responsibility of a father. Without him I won’t be here today. I will be forever indebted to him’’.

‘’I must state that whatever I have achieved would not have been possible without a support system I found in my mum. She was always there always and in all ways. She is Abiyamo to ju Igba Abiyamo lo, ( a mother that is more than 200 mothers) she has been more than supportive and wonderful. I remember when I and fiance (now husband) informed her of our plans to take our relationship to the next level during the lockdown and ASUU strike in 2020. She gave us her blessings and promised to always be there for us in the journey. Today, the testimonies abound’’

How did you feel with your emergence as the best graduating student?

 I feel so overwhelmed and fulfilled. I must say it’s not an easy task juggling marriage, motherhood and education, so maintaining my CGPA as a first class was quite challenging, but Alhamdulilahi there is evidence to show for the efforts I put in.

Can you share with us your academic profile?

I gained admission into Yaba College of Technology Lagos in 2016 and obtained a National Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics (Distinction)

Then, I did Industrial attachment (IT) at Guaranty Trust Bank. You must be wondering what a Nutritionist is looking for in the banking sector right?

Any field can blend into banking with proper supervision and training.

Then, I applied for Direct Entry into Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and gained admission in 2019 and graduated in 2023.

I discovered my academic potentials when I saw my ND 1 first semester result. I wasn’t expecting distinction because I thought I was not doing enough. I had colleagues who would be  at the library 24/7 whereas I will be in my room reading and gisting.

At what point did you discover that you could make First Class in FUNAAB?

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta is undoubtedly one of the best in Nigeria with commitment to quality delivery. I expected it to be tough and I put in my best from the beginning leveraging on my experience from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

By the time the result of my first semester 200 level result was released and I made 4.91, I was fired up.

I was not expecting that it was going to be that good  but God did. Since that moment, there was no looking back.  I became determined to maintain it so as not to drop. Though it requires lot of efforts and sacrifices to be among the top 5

Can you recall any major challenge during your attaining the feat?

 One of the challenges I faced while in school is from borrowed courses.  I hated the fact that I will attend a lecture without understanding what the lecturer is teaching. However, I determined in my mind that I would not allow them to weigh me down. I will still carry the lecture note when I get home and keep glancing at it. The most challenging course was CHM 222 in my 200 level second semester.

Another challenge was balancing motherhood with education. It’s not easy at all but to God be the glory, it is a success story.

What was your driving force?

My driving force! I will say the type of family I came from, there was nobody except God.  I promised to make my family proud and God Almighty crowned my efforts with good success. Alhamdulilahi.

When was your best moment in the University?

 One of the beautiful moments I had was during our FYB week, I really enjoyed myself and all the memories shared.

And the most beautiful and unforgettable moments of all was on my convocation day.  I felt on top of the World. I felt loved from different angles . There was so much love in the air, the atmosphere was electrifying and the accolades unimaginable. I can only thank my family for their investments in me and my lecturers for their various impacts that helped me to attain the feat.

Who is your mentor?

 Dr. (Mrs.) Folorunsho Alakija is my mentor.

Mama Alakija came from a polygamous family with plenty wives and children. But she doesn’t allow that to be an obstacle in achieving her goals.

She is an outstanding woman, business mogul and a philanthropist. I love the fact that she attributes her success to her faith in God.
Her favorite quote ” what is worth doing at all is worth doing well” and this made me put in all efforts to achieve my set down goals.

What are the factors you think are affecting Nutrition and Dietetics in Nigeria?

There are various factors but hopefully things will improve. Nutrition in Nigeria is poorly funded so most nutrition organizations find it difficult to fund nutrition projects, organize seminars and workshops, provide food aids to the needy, create awareness through nutrition programs. Hence, there is lack of awareness among the people on the importance of nutrition to their health and wellbeing.

 The other medical teams are doing the work of nutritionist and dietitians. You will see a doctor prescribing diet for a patient instead of referring them to see the dietitian. We need to move beyond this level.

Also, there is discrimination within the Nutrition industry itself between Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. I think this should be looked into and we should come together as one big family so as to be able to tackle the problem of Nutrition

After now, what next?

Hmm, that is a million-dollar question. Everything is in the hands of God Almighty. For me, I would like to tour the world. I would like to acquire more knowledge, education and expertise in Nutrition and Dietetics. I would like to be exposed to the best facilities in the world competing with the best brains across the globe. I hope to be able to prove at another level that Nigerians are endowed intellectually.

If you have an opportunity to discuss with President Tinubu, what would you say?

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I will implore the President to give  education and health priority and ensure they are  well funded.

The country should develop a comprehensive policy on Nutrition  to enhance the nutritional status of the population. On capacity building, there should be enough hospitals ready to take in Nutrition Interns or the one year internship should be included in the academic years so that all Nutrition and Dietetics graduate becomes certified. The President will do well by providing employment opportunities for Graduates.