EDUCATION

From Struggles to First Class: How Morontowumi Akinbogun Turned Her Academic Story Around

At just 19, Morontowumi Enioluwa Akinbogun emerged with a first-class degree in Software Engineering from Babcock University — a major milestone in a journey that began with academic struggles and emotional setbacks. Her story isn’t just about grades; it’s a compelling testimony of resilience, grit, and transformation.

Early Struggles and Childhood Challenges

As the youngest in a family of four siblings, Morontowumi’s academic journey didn’t start on a smooth path. In her early years, she had difficulty choosing a dominant hand while writing, causing delays in basic motor and writing skills. Eventually, it became evident that her natural inclination was towards being left-handed, a realization that came after years of discomfort using her right hand.

In elementary school, she consistently lagged behind, often being the last to copy notes from the board. Her mother, a dedicated banker, made it a habit to collect notes from Morontowumi’s classmates at night just so she could catch up. This phase was emotionally exhausting, and changing schools due to family relocations made it even more difficult. She endured bullying and name-calling, which further dented her self-esteem.

Yet, her parents stood by her. From daily meetings with teachers to nightly prayers, they remained committed to seeing her rise above her limitations.

The Turning Point

Her academic situation remained average through junior secondary school — until her older sister stepped in. More than just a sibling, she became a mentor and personal coach, pushing Morontowumi with structured academic monitoring and encouragement. It was also during this time that the words of her principal, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” became a guiding mantra.

By Senior Secondary School 1, she began to shine. She joined her school’s chemistry competition team and represented the school in the Olympiad. Her leadership potential emerged as she became the library prefect in her final year.

Finding Her Passion and Switching Paths

Initially drawn to Industrial Design and graphic design, the COVID-19 pandemic and ASUU strike forced her to reevaluate her options. She eventually gained admission into Babcock University to study Software Engineering.

Before resuming, Morontowumi took a bold step — she dedicated three months to private study in software engineering. This head-start gave her a strong foundation and allowed her to consistently earn first-class grades throughout her academic program.

She also found a strong support system in classmates who shared her drive. She tackled her fear of public speaking by joining the university’s ushering department and actively participating in church activities. In her final year, she successfully ran for elective office and served as both senator and senate scribe for the School of Computing.

Venturing into Cybersecurity

In her 300-level year, Morontowumi enrolled in a cybersecurity training program offered in partnership with ThinkCyber Nigeria. The training exposed her to cutting-edge cyber warfare simulators like Cyberium Arena and Specto. Her outstanding performance earned her an invitation to join ThinkCyber’s Kaizen Program as a Research Executive — a prestigious, live research initiative designed to boost Africa’s cyber capabilities.

She continues to upskill herself, now learning graphic design and video editing — long-standing passions she’s turning into productive hobbies.

Family Influence and Role Models

Morontowumi credits her success not just to her own determination but also to the strong role models within her family. Her eldest sibling, a medical student in the US, earned a full-tuition scholarship and taught her the value of resilience. Her second sibling, now pursuing a master’s in law in the UK, instilled in her the importance of courage and hard work.

Her closest sibling, a medical student at Babcock University, was her most direct influence. Always two years ahead, she set the bar high — and Morontowumi rose to meet it. Despite their paths diverging as both of their studies became more demanding, their shared drive kept them aligned in purpose.

Together with her sister, she now co-runs Sapphire Sisters Empowerment Initiative (SASEMI) — a non-profit aimed at supporting young girls to discover and pursue their dreams unapologetically.

Looking Ahead: Building a Future in Tech and Research

With her background in software engineering and newfound strength in cybersecurity, Morontowumi aims to become a force in Africa’s tech landscape. Her fascination with research stems from early exposure through her father, an academic, and visits to institutions like Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh. She believes her research ideas will one day evolve into entrepreneurial solutions that create both impact and financial freedom.

Morontowumi also emphasized the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and responsibility — traits she honed through countless group projects, where she often emerged as the backbone due to her reliability.