“Mum’s Sacrifices Drove Us”: UI First-Class Twin Graduates Reflect on Their Journey

Matthew and Matthias Busoye, twin brothers and first-class graduates from the University of Ibadan’s Faculty of Technology, have shared the inspiring story of how they rose to academic excellence—crediting their late father’s dream and their mother’s relentless sacrifices as their driving force.

“Mum Picked My Course”—Matthias

For Matthias, the journey into Electrical and Electronics Engineering wasn’t exactly self-chosen.

“I wrote UTME in 2017 and passed on my first try, but UI didn’t admit me because I wasn’t yet 16,” he recalled. “So, I deferred admission and resumed the following year. As for choosing Elect/Elect, that was mum’s idea.”

According to Matthias, engineering was always on the table—it was just a matter of which branch. “Our mum advised us to go for a course that could be useful even in tough times. Something practical. She felt we could always open a shop if things didn’t work out. Electrical and Electronics made sense.”

Despite not objecting, Matthias says the decision stemmed from family discussions. “We were naturally inclined toward science—good in Math, Physics, Chemistry. It wasn’t surprising.”

Their mother, though not an engineer herself, had a science background in secondary school before switching to business. Their father, before his passing, often mentioned engineering and LAUTECH, subtly nudging them toward that path.

No Special Tricks—Just Consistency and Flexibility

Matthias didn’t obsess over getting a first class. “The aim was to understand what I was taught and do well in exams. I didn’t fixate on 4.0 GPAs or read all night. I’m a ‘read-when-I-feel-like-it’ type.”

His methods were simple—understand the foundation, make time for reading, and learn even while on the move, sometimes watching explanatory videos on the road.

In addition to academics, Matthias was deeply involved in student politics. “In my final year, I was the Speaker of the Student Union. That was a lot to juggle.”

He began his political involvement in 200-level, joining JCI and later becoming finance secretary of his faculty. The COVID-19 lockdown pushed him to learn AI and embedded systems, eventually leading to a published research paper. By 500-level, while preparing his thesis and managing union duties, he hit a low point. “My GPA dropped slightly. I was overwhelmed—academically and emotionally. But I kept going because of our mum. She’s a single parent who gave everything for us.”

Proud to Make Mum Smile—Matthew’s Story

For Matthew, the first-class honor is less about personal glory and more about making his mother proud.

“She’s the reason we got here,” he said. “Since our dad died when we were 12, she became everything. She even collected loans constantly to pay our fees. She once said she would eat garri every day if that’s what it took for us to succeed.”

Unlike Matthias, Matthew admits he wasn’t the most serious student but knew what worked for him. “Understanding foundational concepts was key. I didn’t read much in 100 level, but I found my rhythm later.”

His toughest academic year? 500 level. “That was when I contested for departmental president. There was a lot of resistance, mental stress, and of course, many courses.”

Despite this, he still managed a stellar CGPA of 3.94—the same as his twin brother.

Academic Journey, Twin Connection, and Future Plans

Throughout their years in UI, the twins mostly lived together—especially in their early years at Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall. “We were lucky to be in the same hostel. I barely slept in my assigned room; I stayed in his,” Matthew shared.

Although they’re identical twins, they didn’t try to confuse people. “We used to dress alike, but eventually stopped. Those who knew us well could tell the difference, though many never could—even some lecturers,” said Matthias with a laugh.

As for the future, both brothers are focused on advancing their expertise in embedded systems and AI. They’re also considering postgraduate studies—possibly direct PhDs.

“After all is said and done, maybe we’ll explore politics. But first, we want to build and keep learning,” Matthias concluded.

For Matthew, the goal is simple: “Keep making mum proud. She earned this more than anyone.”