By: Abdullateef Faruq
What appeared to be fate's mistake quickly became life's greatest purpose.
In a bid to advance to higher education, Ajibike Abdulbasit Abiodun's journey did not begin with applause but rather whispers of doubt that slither into a young dreamer’s ears like venom. When he enrolled at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto (UDUS) to study agriculture, his ambition was like a burning torch in the wind, flickering but unwavering.
Surprisingly, he had chosen Medicine rather than Agriculture, and Agriculture had chosen him. However, what appeared to be fate's mistake quickly became his life's greatest purpose.
Igniting the conviction of a man who had discovered his mission, "A Medical Doctor saves lives, but by promoting a sustainable food system, I can also improve people’s health, reduce poverty, and fast-track socio-economic development," He declared.
The first few weeks at UDUS were a battle of expectations versus reality. He had arrived with lofty goals, First-Class, promising his roommates that he would one-day graduate among the best. Their laughter echoed in his ears, an unspoken dare. "The Faculty of Agriculture was a war zone, they said; many enter with high hopes, only to crawl out defeated," he told Observersmag.
Fortunately, he demonstrated that he was not an ordinary soldier who would surrender. While others buried their hopes under the weight of "impossible," he sharpened his mind like a warrior polishing his sword. His study habits were unusual, with him never reading after 10:00 p.m. in his first year but later adapting to the rigorous "8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m." schedule by embracing midnight studies and Total Darkness Binge (TDB) sessions.
He discovered that when he was well-rested, his mind was like a sponge, so he alternated intense reading with short breaks to ensure that knowledge was absorbed rather than skimmed over.
Graduating with an impressive CGPA of 4.76, his academic record spoke louder than any critic. He demonstrated that excellence was the result of hard work and strategic planning, not luck.
An Insult That Ignited a Fire
There are moments in life when careless words can become the foundation for success. For Ajibike, that moment arrived when he dared to run for Class Representative.
He stood in front of a crowd of about 600 students, his heart beating like a talking drum. Before he could even defend his candidacy, a voice cut through the air like a sharp blade: "You, this small boy, are too young to be our class representative. What do you even know?"
The laughter that followed was a storm threatening to overturn his confidence. But rather than sinking, he swam against the tide. If they did not give him leadership, he would gain their respect in other ways. He promised to be the best, not in words, but in results.
He remained the top student in his class for three years in a row, from 100 to 300 levels.
Beyond the Four Walls, A Leader in the Making
Abdulbasit brilliance was not limited to grades. He believed in having an impact. As Chairman of the Employability Skills Workshop at JCIN UDUS, he oversaw training sessions for over 60 students and graduates, providing them with 21st-century job market skills. He was selected as the third Convener of the University Scholars’ Forum, USF-UDUS, a network of over 200 high-graders with CGPA 3.8 and above, and he organized 12 virtual webinars and the third annual University Scholars’ Colloquium.
Abdulbasit is advocacy went beyond student affairs, as he met with the university's Vice-Chancellor and Registrar to push for a more efficient transcript application process. Thanks to his efforts, the system improved significantly, making the academic journey easier for thousands of graduates.
He was named one of UDUS's 20 Most Influential Graduating Students at the end of the 2023/2024 Academic Session in recognition of his contributions to the university.
Turning Struggles into Strength
Life tested him in ways that numbers and grades could not measure. Coming from a humble background, financial difficulties were a constant companion. Yet, his brilliance became his currency. He earned two prestigious scholarships: the Federal Scholarship Board National Award (2022) and the Indorama Eleme Fertilizer Annual Undergraduate Excellence Award (2023).
He told our reporter that they (Scholarships) were not just monetary reliefs; they were lifelines. With the funds, he bought a laptop and a phone and "settled some of my needs."
But money was not his only challenge. Sokoto, with its fiery sun and cultural unfamiliarity, was a different world from Lagos. He had never stepped foot in the North-West before, and the first Ramadan fast nearly broke him. "I nearly fainted," he recalled, laughing.
Yet, in the heart of this foreign land, he discovered a family. Over 85% of his friends came from various ethnic groups. Hausa, Nupe, and Fulani—but they saw brotherhood rather than tribes. They ate together, studied together, struggled together. When one fell, they all rose to catch him.
Beyond the university, he was chosen as a LEAP Africa Youth Leadership Development Fellow (2023), where he oversaw the Skills4All Project, which trained 50 out-of-school children in vocational skills such as cap-making, shoe-making, catering, and hairstyling.