By Abdullateef Faruq
When Ayigoro Abdulmalik Oluwanishola, also known as Abu Hamzah, enrolled as a freshman in the Department of Mathematics at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), his only goal was to pass his courses without carrying over.
"I was among those who used to say, 'Aseju ni First-class, upper ti wa okay', literally meaning; First-class is too much, upper is okay," he chuckled.
However, fate had different plans for him. By the end of his first year, he had a 4.32 CGPA, ranking him in the second-class upper division. That moment triggered a realization for him: if he could get this far, why couldn't he aim for the top?
"This first class of a thing, I can as well achieve it," he reasoned, a fire raging in his soul. With renewed determination, he tightened his academic grip and worked harder, increasing his CGPA to 4.56 in UG 2 and 4.58 in UG 3. But, as he became more involved in leadership roles and student activism, the weight of responsibilities weighed on his wings, and his CGPA dropped to 4.54 in UG 4, a 0.04 decrease.
"Alhamdulillah," he exhaled, his voice full of gratitude and wisdom. Abu Hamzah believed that academic success was the result of discipline, self-awareness, and strategy, not luck.
"I know I don't assimilate during the daytime, but I am a night owl. So my TDB Till Day Break for him is nonstop, especially during exams," he narrated.
However, his success wasn’t just about burning the midnight oil. He had another secret weapon, which was teaching others. "The more I teach, the more I understand," he told this reporter.
His enthusiasm for breaking down complex concepts earned him the Best Tutor of the Year award from the Mathematical Association of Nigeria Students, UDUS Chapter, during the 2023/2024 academic year.
Abu Hamzah stated that no matter how involved he became in extracurricular activities, his academics remained sacred. "As long as I'm in school, my studies remain my personal life."
Interestingly, his university experience was never solely about books and equations. He was a popular figure who was heavily involved in student leadership. He was a familiar face in student politics, appearing in his departmental association, local government association, state union, and even the Students' Union.
Unfortunately, he later realized that leadership comes with a heavy burden to bear. "I faced so many challenges that I can't even recall all of them. Being a course rep alone was a great challenge," He lamented.
In his final year, the weight of his responsibilities began to have an impact on his academic performance. "Extracurricular activities can't stop me from studying, because regardless of the Aluta, I know I have to study overnight. But in UG 4, I was too engaged and carried away, and it affected my CGPA," he confessed to our reporter.
Abu Hamzah stated that his journey was not a solo ascent. He was surrounded by inspirational pillars, the most powerful of which was Isiaq Abubakar Olaitan, a Genius and a senior whose brilliance illuminated the path ahead like a guiding star. "His intelligence, smartness, and dedication were a true motivation."
Beyond mentors, his circle of friends was a force of nature, with each possessing an academic powerhouse. "I had no choice but to study hard, my friends were too intelligent for me to slack off," he stressed.
Tip For Aspiring Scholars
Abu Hamzah, reflecting on his journey, believes that every student has the potential to achieve academic excellence. But only if they know themselves and stay focused.
His success blueprint is simple yet powerful: "Understand yourself, know the study strategy that works for you, set realistic goals, stick to your plans, avoid distractions, and, above all, pray and read as if you did not pray, and pray as if you did not read," he advises undergraduates, aspiring to academic excellence.