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At 24, Aduragbemi Adefi graduated with a first-class degree in Microbiology from the First Technical University, Ibadan, overcoming financial challenges through a scholarship. She shares with TEMITOPE ADETUNJI her inspiring journey, study strategies, and dreams of making a global impact in public health
When did you gain admission?
I gained admission in 2019 and studied at the First Technical University (Abiola Ajimobi Technical University), Ibadan.
What inspired you to study Microbiology, and did you always aim for a first-class degree?
Honestly, Microbiology was never an option for me, but I’ve always loved health-related courses. So, when I got a scholarship, Microbiology was the only course I could settle for in the faculty. And it was on scholarship. So, my family couldn’t afford to send me to a university after all. It’s better to study and have a certificate than not to have one at all. I tried my best to study but let’s say God crowned my efforts. I’ve always wanted to graduate with a first class and God made it possible.
Can you talk more about the scholarship?
So, after my secondary education, I had to work for two years, sat for the JAMB exam twice, and sat post-UTME at UI and OAU but didn’t meet the cut-off mark for Medicine. I got Veterinary Medicine at UI, but I didn’t settle for it. I registered for LAUTECH post-UTME, but I missed the date for my examination.
I was already getting frustrated, about giving up on furthering my education. There was also the issue of financial incapability. I guess dad already sensed I was on the verge of giving up. He got to know about the scholarship and reached out to people about it. I got registered for the scholarship exam, got shortlisted and that was how I got the admission and on scholarship too.
What were the most challenging courses or concepts you encountered during your studies, and how did you overcome them?
That would be Principles of Parasitology and Advanced Food Microbiology. Advanced Food Microbiology happened to come with a bulky syllabus which I found hard to cover while preparing for exams. I just had to cover all my mid-semester examination questions and past questions and that helped a lot.
Principles of Parasitology was a tough course right from the start. First, it was difficult to get an A in this particular course because mid-semester results weren’t good, we didn’t have many notes but a lot of presentations, assignments, and all that. So, preparation for the examination was difficult because we had to cover every assignment and presentation.
It was unpredictable. Going into the examination hall for this particular course, I had my fears, and I just handed them over to God that I’ve tried my best to prepare for it and just sat the paper. To God be the glory, I got an A in both courses.
Can you share your study routine or strategies that helped you excel academically?
Funny enough, I’m blessed. I can read and assimilate just anywhere as long as I focus. God made it easy for me; He made it possible. I just studied and He came through for me. I studied with my friends, those were my physical backbone. We shared ideas, called one another’s attention to questions, and cheered one another up when it got hard to study. I must add that my parents’ prayers and my lecturers were amazing too; they all contributed towards this.
What is your CGPA?
4.73/5.00
How important were your family, friends, or mentors in achieving your academic success?
Very important. I desire to see my father smile at me when he sees my results, my big daddy’s (Daddy Adeseun Adefi) and big sister’s (Adefi Temitope) constant support financially, my friends’ constant encouragement that we could make first-class possible, my first school father’s (Prof. Oke Solomon) interest in my growth right from my first year made school amazing from the start, and then my second school father’s (Dr. Faith Bankole) encouragement now and then. I am blessed with the gift of men, and they all made this possible.
How did you balance academics with extracurricular activities, social life, and other commitments?
Being the assistant course representative for my department wasn’t such a difficult task; my coursemates made it much easier. Social life, I suck at that (smiles). It got busy during my finals when I was appointed the Public Relations Officer for the Baptist Student’s Fellowship and doubled as the Treasurer for the Unified Campus Christian Fellowship. There were meetings here and there. It wasn’t easy at first because mid-semester results didn’t look good, but God crowned even the smallest effort I put into my examination. I didn’t regret taking up those assignments and God rewarded me.
What kept you motivated throughout your academic journey, especially during difficult times?
My father: that man loves education, though he couldn’t study as wide and further as he wanted. I wanted to get that degree for him; he deserved that much and more. I couldn’t break his heart by breaking down and quitting. I mean, I got a scholarship, he didn’t have to stress over tuition fees. I should just fight it through and make him a proud father of a university first-class graduate.
Was there a specific moment or experience during your studies that shaped your perspective on Microbiology?
Just like I mentioned earlier, I never foresaw myself studying Microbiology. I mean, it’s just the study of little organisms. I wanted something more practical, and more engaging like Medicine, Nursing but life happened. I found myself studying and I just had to accept it. So, going for practicals, and seeing these microorganisms through the microscope (I was privileged to make use of one right from my first year) changed my perspective about the course that there is just more to these microorganisms that I know. Since then, I just wanted and wished to know more; that world is fascinating.
What are your plans for the future, academically, professionally, or personally?
I am currently working on securing scholarships for my master’s degree in the field of Public Health or Epidemiology, my considered difficult course during my undergraduate years. I am enthusiastic about that field. The possibility of studying outbreaks of diseases, contributing to the creation of healthier communities, carrying out specific research… generally contributing my quota to ensure a much better health system in the world is my goal.
How do you see Microbiology playing a role in addressing global challenges like pandemics, food security, or environmental conservation?
Microbiology is a very broad course covering almost every aspect of life, health, food, and environment, among others. There’s even Petroleum Microbiology; will you believe that? I just hope this course will not be underestimated any longer and appreciated more across the globe. It takes a level of specialisation and research to contribute significantly.
Did you have opportunities for internships, research, or hands-on experience?
Yes, I did. I was an intern for a period of six months at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomosho. I was able to work closer with specific micro-organisms, study them closely, and prepare their growth media singlehandedly. I even assisted in a project where I had to participate in sample collection, transferring the samples into growth media for these microorganisms to grow and spread across the place.
We call it streaking. It’s so amazing seeing these microorganisms in different forms and shapes, colours, and edges. I had a lot of practicals done in school and I did research on my thesis too. Generally, I learnt that these organisms are everywhere, and we need to identify the beneficial, the pathogenic, and the opportunistic ones for our safety.
What’s the most significant life lesson you learnt from your undergraduate journey?
Smile doesn’t mean the absence of pain. People are in pain, yet they learn how to smile through situations. This I’m still learning; it’s kind of therapeutic though.
How do you feel about graduating with a first-class degree, and when did you graduate?
I still feel proud of myself for finally making my father happy through this. This man rolled on the floor getting my statement of results. I couldn’t have been more grateful to God for this. I graduated in December 2023.
What advice would you give to students who aspire to graduate with a first-class degree?
First class may sound difficult, but it is achievable. For me, it took God and the gift of men to make it happen; I didn’t do much. You need to find what works for you. You may do it in another person’s way and still not get the same result. Just find yourself and push yourself towards it. There is a saying that ‘If you want it, you go for it’ but remember that there is nothing you can achieve without God. Include Him in the equation, you won’t regret it.
How has achieving this milestone impacted your confidence and perspective on life?
I’ve never been more confident than I am after this achievement. It builds up my confidence that, if I can achieve this, then I can do more. I also learnt that financial incapability should never be an excuse for achieving my dreams and furthering my studies. There are opportunities all around me, I should just keep informed, stay positive, and give my best in all opportunities.
I wouldn’t say I face challenges per se, but we all know that being in Nigeria is challenging itself, not to mention being a Nigerian student. As regards my course of study, I perceived my course not to be so respected in Nigeria. I remember an experience during my internship; I entered this particular laboratory to learn something from their ongoing lab work, only for the students there, I mean they were interns too, to say, ‘Microbiology students are not allowed here. These are students who will share the same syllabus for our studies. It’s just not limited to this experience. It’s heartbreaking to see that you spend several years studying what is not appreciated.
How do you think the education system in Nigeria can be improved?
I do not know what gave the impression that some courses are not useful, or some are more important than others. A tree doesn’t make a forest right? I think all courses should be treated with much respect and importance; they all exist because they are useful.
What have you been up to after school?
I’m currently observing my NYSC in Ogun State.
What is next for you?
I’m currently working on a scholarship application for my master’s degree, but pending the time I secure one, I’m job hunting to keep myself busy.
