A University of Lagos (UNILAG) graduate has shared how early academic struggles could have derailed his university journey, but perseverance and focus helped him achieve a First-Class degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Temitope Kolawole revealed on LinkedIn that he failed an important chemistry course in his first year, scoring just 28/100, and received his first-ever carry-over. At the end of that semester, he recorded five A’s, one B, and one F, leaving him with a CGPA of 3.79.
“I was in Eni Njoku, sitting in a friend’s room. The result sheets circulated as pictures. I asked a friend close to the faculty to help check mine. Minutes passed. Then an hour. Nothing. Silence, it turns out, can be very loud. I eventually found the picture myself. F. Score: 28,” Kolawole recounted.
Despite the setback, Kolawole chose not to give up. He focused on rebuilding his confidence gradually, prioritizing consistency over instant results. He began teaching junior students, compiling study materials, and documenting his learning process while still struggling with his own grades.
Over the years, his academic performance steadily improved. After resitting chemistry, he earned a B in the course. His CGPA gradually climbed above 4.5, with multiple semesters reflecting First-Class-level results. In his final year, Kolawole achieved a perfect 5.0 SGPA across ten courses, boosting his final CGPA to 4.56 and securing a First-Class degree.
His story has inspired many Nigerians online. @harri_py wrote: “It takes a lot of resilience to have an F in your first semester and still finish with a solid first class. Thank God and thank you for not giving up Kola!” @Dr_Benjr added: “When I failed courses in my third year, I persevered and eventually scored 7As in the final exams. It wasn’t easy, but determination pays off.”
Kolawole’s journey highlights how resilience, patience, and hard work can overcome early academic setbacks. His achievement also mirrors other UNILAG success stories, such as law graduate Mercy Chekwube, who overcame financial challenges to graduate with First-Class Honours, earning recognition and cash gifts from Nigerians.
