Self-Driven Excellence, Not Pressure, Earned Me a 4.94 CGPA – MTU Best Graduating Student

Omolola Akinyemi, the overall best graduating student of Mountain Top University, Ogun State, has attributed her exceptional academic performance to personal discipline, consistent self-improvement, and strong family values rather than external pressure.

Akinyemi, who graduated with a cumulative grade point average of 4.94 in Mathematics, said her motivation throughout her undergraduate years was the desire to outperform her previous academic results every semester.

According to her, competing with herself academically helped her stay focused and disciplined. She explained that the determination to improve on earlier results, combined with encouragement from supportive lecturers, played a significant role in her success.

She described Mathematics as a demanding discipline that requires deep thinking, patience, and adaptability. One of the earliest challenges she faced was understanding the true nature of the course, noting that much of the programme focused on abstract analysis rather than applied Mathematics that allows for easy visualisation.

She added that transitioning from analysis-based courses to pure Mathematics in her final year was particularly demanding, as it required applying abstract concepts to real-world and theoretical problems under intense academic pressure.

On the issue of finance and family support, Akinyemi said she was fortunate to grow up in a home that prioritised education and integrity. Her mother is a farmer, while her father is a retired professor. She explained that financial discipline, moral guidance, and emotional encouragement from her parents shaped her academic journey.

She recalled how her mother consistently emphasised honesty and discipline, stressing that academic success must never come through malpractice. According to her, this principle helped her develop confidence in her abilities and focus on legitimate academic growth.

Her father, a retired professor of Computer Science, has lectured at several Nigerian universities and served as a pioneer Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Mountain Top University. Akinyemi said having her father within the academic environment motivated her to maintain high standards and uphold excellence.

Although her father specialised in Computer Science, she noted that his experience in academia was invaluable whenever she encountered challenges requiring guidance, mentorship, or academic direction.

Akinyemi is the third child in a family of four. She has two older sisters who are university graduates and a younger brother currently studying Cyber Security at Redeemer’s University. She said her family environment played a major role in shaping her academic mindset.

Her eldest sister, a Geology graduate of the University of Ibadan, set a strong academic example through discipline and consistent excellence. Her second sister, a Political Science graduate, also excelled academically after returning to university following a diploma programme.

She explained that her parents raised them with the belief that education is a lifelong investment and that postgraduate studies, professional certification, and continuous learning are essential for long-term career and financial stability.

Discussing her career plans, Akinyemi said she intends to pursue a career in Actuarial Mathematics, a field that focuses on financial risk analysis, data modelling, insurance systems, and investment management. She described actuarial science as a strategic discipline that combines Mathematics with finance, economics, and data-driven decision-making.

She disclosed plans to pursue a master’s degree in actuarial science or pure and applied Mathematics, with a long-term goal of engaging in advanced research rather than traditional classroom teaching.

She revealed that she is considering postgraduate study at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences in South Africa and remains open to other international academic opportunities outside Nigeria. According to her, while she intends to study abroad, she is not considering the United States or Canada, preferring institutions with strong research-focused mathematical ecosystems.

On the economic relevance of Mathematics, Akinyemi described the discipline as central to national development, financial systems, and economic planning. She noted that Mathematics underpins budgeting, investment forecasting, data analysis, cryptography, financial modelling, and policy planning.

She added that mathematicians are increasingly relevant in finance, law, technology, cybersecurity, insurance, trading, and economic research, stressing that almost every measurable process in society depends on numerical analysis.

Offering advice to students aiming for academic excellence, Akinyemi encouraged them to discover study methods that work best for them rather than copying others. She explained that despite common advice to study for long hours in libraries, she rarely used the library and preferred flexible, personalised study routines.

She advised students to understand their personal learning patterns, whether daytime or nighttime study, short sessions or extended reading, and build consistency around what delivers results.

She also stressed the importance of faith, discipline, and purpose, noting that spiritual grounding helped her maintain focus throughout her academic journey.

Addressing parents, she advised them to allow their children pursue courses aligned with their interests and abilities rather than forcing popular career paths. She revealed that while her father initially suggested Nursing, both parents supported her decision to study Mathematics, which ultimately led to her academic success.

She explained that not every student must study Medicine, Law, Engineering, or Computer Science to achieve success, noting that diverse disciplines offer strong career, financial, and research opportunities.

On her personal study habits, Akinyemi revealed that she studies best with background music or mild distractions and avoids studying when mentally exhausted. She said she stops reading immediately once comprehension drops, believing that quality study time is more effective than forced hours.

She disclosed that she did not maintain a daily reading routine due to leadership responsibilities during her third and fourth years, where she served in leadership roles within her university community. Despite this, she ensured consistent academic engagement whenever time permitted.

Akinyemi explained that Mathematics as a course is mentally demanding and requires balance to avoid burnout. She noted that only five students were enrolled in her Mathematics programme, three of whom graduated with First Class honours.

She highlighted the importance of group study, collaboration, and peer learning, noting that her classmates worked closely together to explain difficult concepts and support one another academically.

She acknowledged the use of digital learning platforms, online lectures, and artificial intelligence tools to simplify complex concepts but warned against overdependence on AI. According to her, AI tools often provide inconsistent solutions in Mathematics and should only be used as learning aids rather than substitutes for critical thinking.

She emphasised that originality, logic, and independent reasoning remain essential in Mathematics education, particularly at advanced levels.

Akinyemi, who is currently 20 years old, said she gained early exposure to advanced Mathematics during her primary and secondary school years. She attended EPIC International Schools in Irewu, Ogun State, where she participated in international Mathematics competitions, Olympiads, and national academic contests.

She credited her early exposure to advanced Mathematics training, competitions, and analytical problem-solving for shaping her confidence and adaptability at the university level.

Reflecting on her journey, she expressed gratitude for the academic foundation, family values, and educational exposure that contributed to her success, describing education as a powerful tool for personal growth, economic empowerment, and national development.