The academic feat, which reflects years of consistency, personal discipline and determination, came despite financial difficulties, technological setbacks and the demands of studying Mathematics at university level.
In an interview published on Tuesday by the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ilorin, and sighted by BrandIconImage on Friday, Olusegun attributed his success to self-belief, adaptability and a firm determination to achieve his academic ambitions.
He explained that the possibility of graduating with a perfect CGPA first occurred to him after he saw his results in his first year at the university, which strengthened his confidence in what he could accomplish.
“I began to imagine graduating with a 5.00 CGPA after seeing my 100-level results. That was when the thought came to me that we could actually break the record,” he said.
Although the ambition of graduating with a perfect score developed as he progressed through his studies, Olusegun said his desire to emerge as the best student had existed long before he entered the university.
“However, even before then, I already had the mindset that I wanted to become the overall best graduating student wherever I found myself. I had set that goal for myself and believed that if I worked hard, I could achieve it,” he added.
For Olusegun, the achievement was not simply a matter of academic ability but the outcome of a mindset that encouraged him to set ambitious targets and remain committed to them.
Love for Mathematics fuels academic ambition
Despite the abstract and demanding nature of Mathematics, Olusegun said his longstanding passion for the subject made it a natural choice.
His interest, he explained, began in primary school, where he developed a fondness for solving mathematical problems and exploring numerical concepts.
“What drew me to the course was my love for it, which started in primary school. I have always enjoyed solving mathematical problems,” he said.
“There is a connection between me and Mathematics, and that made it easy for me to choose it.”
His achievement comes as the University of Ilorin prepares to confer degrees and other academic qualifications on 16,152 graduands at its 41st convocation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic session.
BrandIconImage had reported that 365 students were expected to graduate with first-class honours, according to figures announced by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), during a press briefing ahead of the ceremony scheduled for October 21 to 23.
‘I had already won in my mind’
Explaining how he sustained his academic performance across four academic sessions and eight semesters, Olusegun identified mental preparation, flexibility and consistency as central to his success.
Rather than relying solely on a rigid timetable, he said he developed a personal approach to studying that allowed him to adjust his methods whenever they became ineffective.
“Maintaining a perfect CGPA is not easy, but the first thing is that I had already won in my mind. Even before I started reading or doing anything, I had already won in my mind,” he said.
He explained that his study routine was built around the ability to recognise what worked for him and make adjustments when necessary.
“I also do not have a fixed schedule. Once I realise that a particular approach is no longer working, I look for another one. I am very flexible, and I try to remain consistent with my academics,” he said.
One of his most important habits was revisiting lessons immediately after lectures. By reviewing what he had learnt each day, he sought to strengthen his understanding before moving on to new topics.
“Most of the time, I revise whatever I am taught in class that same day when I get home. I also conduct research to understand the courses better and use available tools to break down complex concepts,” he said.
Olusegun also paid close attention to continuous assessment, recognising that test scores played an important role in determining his final grades.
“I will answer this without creating any controversy. I would say that I paid close attention to my test scores because the combination of my test and examination scores determines my final result,” he said.
“Once I do well in a test, I know that the major task left is the examination. I also aim for more than 70 per cent, so even if I eventually score 75, I am still comfortable with the result.”
Sacrifices, social media distractions and financial difficulties
Beyond the classroom, Olusegun said achieving his goal required sacrifices, particularly in managing distractions and prioritising activities that aligned with his ambitions.
He acknowledged that social media sometimes interfered with his concentration, making it necessary to step away from online activities when they threatened to consume valuable study time.
“I can be distracted, especially by social media. There are times when I have to put social media aside, and there are other times when I can return to it. That is one of the things that can really distract me,” he said.
The graduate added that his background influenced his determination to make the most of his educational opportunities.
“I would say that I do not do too many things. The major thing I sacrifice is pleasure. I try to do only those things that align with who I am and the person I see myself becoming,” he said.
His academic journey was not without practical difficulties. During his first year, his phone became faulty, leaving him without the device until after his first-semester examinations.
The situation presented an additional challenge, particularly because access to a phone could support his reading and academic practice.
“One of the most difficult experiences I had was when my phone became faulty in 100 level. I could not repair it before my first-semester tests, and I did not get it repaired until after the examinations. It was a very difficult period for me,” he said.
He, however, found help through a friend who lent him another phone, allowing him to continue studying and practising.
“Fortunately, one of my friends gave me his other phone to use for reading and practising. That helped me get through the period,” he said.
Financial difficulties also affected his university experience, but Olusegun said he sought assistance rather than allow his circumstances to derail his academic ambitions.
“Whenever I faced financial difficulties, I reached out to people and asked for help. If I needed foodstuffs or anything else that I could not provide for myself, I would explain my situation to people who could help, and they would assist me,” he said.
He maintained that seeking support when necessary was preferable to allowing a difficult situation to become a barrier to success.
“I believe there is no excuse for failure. If there is something I cannot handle on my own, I look for a way to get the help I need rather than allow the situation to stop me from achieving my goals,” he added.
Self-motivation and support system
Olusegun said much of the responsibility for sustaining his academic ambition rested on his own determination, explaining that his parents were not formally educated and did not constantly push him academically.
“My parents are not educated, so I cannot say that somebody was constantly pushing me academically. I pushed myself because I knew what I wanted to achieve,” he said.
He also described how he managed pressure during demanding periods of his studies, emphasising the importance of remaining calm and focusing on practical solutions.
“It is normal to feel pressured, but I always tell myself, ‘No pressure.’ No matter the circumstances, I first try to calm down, think through the situation and look for a way to solve the problem,” he said.
For him, fatigue was not a reason to abandon his ambitions but a signal that he needed to pause and regain his strength before continuing.
“When I am tired, I rest. There is no point in giving up simply because I am tired or overwhelmed. I take it as a sign that I need to rest before continuing,” he said.
Although he described himself as largely self-motivated, Olusegun acknowledged the contributions of his parents, church members, friends and former students of his department throughout his academic journey.
Some provided financial assistance, while others offered encouragement, advice and guidance on difficult academic subjects.
“Some supported me financially, while others encouraged and motivated me with their words. Whenever I faced academic challenges, I also reached out to people who had graduated from the department for advice and guidance,” he said.
“These people all played important roles in my journey. Their support came in different forms, including advice, financial assistance, encouragement and other kinds of help.”
Perfect CGPA marks beginning of bigger ambitions
For Olusegun, graduating with a perfect 5.00 CGPA represents both the fulfilment of a longstanding ambition and a foundation for future academic pursuits.
“It means a lot to me. It shows me that I can do more and that this is only the beginning of my greatness,” he said.
He added that he had consistently emerged as the best graduating student from primary school through university and was the first person in his immediate family to graduate with a first-class degree.
Having achieved his undergraduate goal, the Mathematics graduate said he was now considering postgraduate studies, with the possibility of pursuing a master's degree or proceeding directly to a PhD.
“The first thing that came to my mind was that I had already set the goal, and the next thing was to fulfil it. Now, I had fulfilled that goal,” he said.
“My next step is to further my education, either by pursuing a master’s degree or going directly for a PhD. I am interested in research, so that is the direction I want to explore.”
His research interests lie particularly in mathematical biology, an area that applies mathematical principles and models to biological and public health problems.
Olusegun said he was interested in exploring how mathematical models could help researchers understand the spread of infectious diseases, predict disease trends and support evidence-based decisions by public health authorities.
“For instance, I am interested in how mathematical models can help predict or forecast diseases. I am also interested in how these models can support effective analysis by public health agencies and help them determine how best to utilise the resources available to them,” he said.
He also hopes to combine mathematical techniques with emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to address challenges in public health and epidemiology.
His ambition reflects a desire to move beyond academic achievement towards research that could contribute to solving practical problems, particularly those involving disease forecasting and the effective allocation of healthcare resources.
From setting his sights on a perfect CGPA after his first-year results to overcoming financial constraints and pursuing a future in scientific research, Olusegun's journey illustrates how personal ambition, consistent effort and support from others can combine to produce an exceptional academic outcome.