Meet Bowen University Student Who Graduated with 5.0 CGPA Study Secrets Revealed

Lotechukwu Isioma Ikpo has emerged as the overall best graduating student of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, for the 2024–2025 academic session after earning a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average of 5.0 from the Department of Economics. Her achievement has drawn attention not only for its academic excellence but also for the discipline, clarity of purpose and leadership experience that defined her university years.

She began her academic journey at the university through an advanced-level programme after spending some time out of school. According to her, the programme offered a timely pathway into higher education without having to wait another year for admission, making it the most practical choice at the time.

Choosing economics over accounting was a deliberate decision. She found economics broader, more engaging and better aligned with her interests. Throughout her studies, she described the programme as challenging and enlightening, noting that her induction as an associate member of the Nigerian Economic Society added professional value to her academic experience.

Reflecting on her perfect CGPA, she explained that although she did not begin with certainty that she would graduate with a 5.0, she remained consistent in her study habits and focused on learning in ways that suited her strengths. Regular class attendance, disciplined preparation and a balance between academics and social life helped her maintain steady performance. Seeing her first 5.0 result became a personal motivation to sustain excellence.

Among her favourite courses were health economics, mathematics and econometrics. She said health economics exposed her to realities she had never considered, while the quantitative courses appealed to her long-standing interest in calculations and analytical thinking, aided by engaging lecturers.

Her research project examined the macroeconomic implications of oil price volatility on Nigeria’s consumption, transportation and agricultural sectors from 1986 to 2023. The study highlighted how overreliance on oil revenue has affected key sectors of the economy and emphasized the need for diversification, particularly through greater investment in agriculture to enhance exports, food production and poverty reduction.

Beyond academics, she served as General Secretary and Electoral Chairperson of the Economics Department and became the first student to hold the position of One-Day Registrar at the university. These leadership roles, she noted, helped her develop confidence, interpersonal skills and an appreciation for balancing academic and extracurricular commitments.

Some of her most memorable moments included being announced as One-Day Registrar and later as the best graduating student, milestones she had envisioned long before they happened. She described project writing and preparing for advanced-level examinations as some of her most challenging experiences, largely due to the initial uncertainty she faced before gaining clarity.

She credits the university’s emphasis on godliness, excellence and leadership for shaping her character and outlook. Observing fellow students successfully combine academics with service and leadership inspired her to pursue excellence across multiple areas of life.

Addressing broader national issues from an economics perspective, she pointed to the need for better research funding and competitive salaries to prevent academic brain drain, reforms in the power and transport sectors to reduce production costs, and policies that encourage the formalisation of small businesses to improve productivity. She also advocated for increased scholarship opportunities to support students in high-impact fields of study.

Although she has received a scholarship to pursue a master’s degree at Bowen University, she expressed interest in exploring further studies in economics and related disciplines, driven by her passion for learning and curiosity about different cultures.

Her story stands as an example of how focus, resilience and strategic choices can translate into exceptional academic success while building leadership capacity and a clear vision for contributing to national development.