How 27-year-old Lagos-born Breaks Years Record, Bags First-class Honor From Danfodiyo Varsity

By: Abdulrasheed Akere

In 2018, the passion to visit northern part of Nigeria and have a knowledge of the northerner’s lifestyle triggered Quadri Robiu Olaide popularly known as ROQ to choose Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) in his Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Fortunately for Qodri, he was offered admission to study Education Mathematics under the Department of Science and Vocational Education in the Faculty of Education and Extension Services (FEES). He is an indigene of Kwara State in the northcentral but was born and bred in Lagos state in the southwest.

As someone who spent all his childhood time and attended primary and secondary school in the South, he was inspired to further his tertiary education in another territory. He journeyed to Sokoto for the first time by road where he crossed borders of several states from Lagos to Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Niger, Kebbi before arriving at Sokoto. The long journey that lasted for many hours was a memorable one to him.

Upon arriving at Sokoto where UDUS is located, the interest to graduate with flying colors arose in Qodri’s mind and he kept chasing dreams. Some senior colleagues told him that students don’t use to bag first-class in his course of choice so that he shouldn’t disturb himself with it. He didn’t listen to them because he wanted to make his parents proud.

The First-class Journey

“For every student who wants to graduate with first-class or any other class of degree, the journey for it begins from 100-level. If the first Grade Points (GP) is weak, it will be very difficult to build first-class Cumulative Grade Point Average or CGPA on it,” These are the words of Qodir on how to achieve academic excellence.

So, his strong determination from the scratch made him attain first-class with 4.83 in 100-level, 4.75 in 200-level, 4.63 in 300-level and finally graduated with 4.62 CGPA.

When Qodri was asked if he saw the First-class feat coming, he said: “I have seen it coming but when I was in UG3 I didn’t even care about the first-class anymore because I felt depressed due to how I was treated. A Lecturer noticed that and counseled me then I kept the ball rolling.”

Breaking Years Record

When speaking with the Examinations Officer of Science and Vocational Education department, Dr A.A Amuda testified that Qodir is a record breaker.

Dr Amuda stated categorically that the last time bag first-class honor in the Education Mathematics unit of the department was in the 2017/2018 academic session. Meanwhile, the academic session was five sessions away and it was even before Qodri gained admission into the university.

I joined the bricklayer labor force because of financial challenges — First-class Graduate

While reflecting on his past experiences, Qodir recounted several challenges he entangled and pains he endured to attain first-class. He said there are many hidden stories behind his achievement.

In his words, “During the COVID-19/2020 ASUU strike, I joined the bricklayer labor force because of the financial challenges I faced at the time. I did the work for six months back-to-back. It was a tough and rough time in my life.”

He added, “In November 2023, I joined Dr Kazeem Aremu to work as a staffer for his business, ALPHA BUTCHERY SERVICE SOKOTO, where I helped to supply fresh halal and healthy meat in the Sokoto metropolis.”

Untold Stories of Qodri

Qodri created a YouTube channel where people can learn Mathematics from home in October 2020. “I am the founder of an online mathematics platform where students studying mathematics and related courses can learn from. Two hundred and thirty-five (235) educational videos were uploaded on it so far to enhance the learning of mathematics. I named it with the first letters of my names, ‘ROQ MATHS CLASS’.”

Qodri was a tutor at Standard Deviation Tutorial (SDT) and Chemistry departments classes in the university community. “I also served as the general course representative of the Faculty of Education, the general secretary of Nigerian Universities Education Students Association (NUESA) and vice president of Mathematics Association of Nigeria (MAN).”

“I learned barbering and boxing amidst the 2022 ASUU strike. Wallahi, the journey was not easy, but I never allow any extracurricular activities to affect my studies,” he stated.

I can’t feel the pains anymore — Qodri

The 27-year-old first-class graduate, Qodri expressed that he has moved past the pains he went through during the academic journey. “After achieving the first class, I can’t feel the pain that I have passed through as an undergraduate anymore,” he said.

Qodir loves solving Mathematical problems, learning skills and doing anything that involves halal income. He advised undergraduates to always put more effort, pray and move in a positive oriented path. Qodri’s plan is to further his studies to the PhD level.

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