Mubaraq Akeem, a first-class graduate in Mathematics from the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, speaks to TEMITOPE ADETUNJI about his academic journey, the challenges he faced, and the triumphs that marked his path to success
What was your first reaction when you saw your final result?
When I first saw my final result and realized I had graduated with a first class, I was wowed because I had doubted it as well. I personally knew that in order to graduate with a first class, I must have no less than a 5.0 GPA for that semester. Without that, I thought a first class was not possible for me.
Finally seeing my result, I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. It was a moment of deep satisfaction, knowing that all the hard work, late nights, and sacrifices had paid off. I immediately reflected on my journey, both the challenges and the victories, and felt incredibly proud of how far I had come because it was not easy, I must say. It was a truly unforgettable moment.
What year did you gain admission and when did you graduate?
I gained admission in 2019 and graduated in 2025.
Why did you choose to study Mathematics?
I chose to study Mathematics because of my deep passion for problem-solving and logical reasoning. My secondary school Mathematics teachers, Mr Teslim and Mr Qozeem, played a significant role in shaping my love for the subject. The way they taught and explained concepts made Mathematics exciting and easy to understand. In fact, the only subjects I excelled at in secondary school were Mathematics and Further Mathematics.
Along the journey, I realised that without Mathematics, we can’t do anything; everything around us is Mathematics, everything around us is numbers. Choosing Mathematics as my first choice was one of the best decisions I made because life itself is like a math equation. In order to gain the most, you have to know how to convert the negatives into positives.
What was growing up like for you? Did your background influence your academic journey?
Well, my background was not extremely poor, but one significant challenge was that my parents could not read or write. They belonged to a generation that did not fully understand the importance of education. However, I owe a huge thanks to my mother because she always supported me. Whenever I told her I needed time to study, she never hesitated to let me focus on my books.
I am the last born of three children, and I was the only one who had the opportunity to attend a private school and further my education. My brother and sister were brilliant enough to continue their studies, but due to financial difficulties, they could not. There was a time I almost had to stop as well, but my mother’s encouragement kept me going. She was my biggest source of motivation, and I can confidently say that her support played a major role in my academic success.
People say Mathematics is difficult — did you ever feel like giving up along the way?
For me, the answer is yes. Many people see Mathematics as a difficult subject, and I won’t deny that it comes with its challenges. However, I have always loved Mathematics, so instead of seeing it as difficult, I viewed it as a puzzle that needed to be solved with deep thinking.
That being said, there were moments when I faced tough problems that made me feel stuck. There were times I spent hours trying to understand a concept or solve an equation, and frustration would creep in. But I never considered giving up because giving up is not an option for me. I had already started the journey, and it wouldn’t have been okay to quit. I believe that in Mathematics, once you understand the logic behind a problem, everything starts making sense.
So, whenever I encountered difficulties, I would leave those problems alone, either to sleep on them or distract myself with something else, before coming back to tackle them again. I took these challenges as opportunities to learn more, seek help, and improve. In the end, my persistence paid off, and I am grateful that I never gave up.
What’s one moment during your university years that you will never forget?
There are many moments from my university years that I will never forget. One of the biggest highlights was representing my school in a Mathematics competition for tertiary institutions. In 2021, during my 100-level days, I emerged the best. I competed again in 2023 and secured a second place, and in another edition of the same competition, I won first place again. These experiences were truly rewarding and reinforced my passion for Mathematics.
However, the moment that stands out the most for me was the day I was announced as the President of the Mathematics, Statistics, and Data Science Department. I was overwhelmed with joy because it was a position of great responsibility and honour.
Initially, I had an opponent, but about a week before the election, he stepped down. I couldn’t help but smile and think, ‘Maybe he realised he could not withstand the competition anymore.’ That day remains one of my most cherished memories. University life gave me many great experiences, and I will always look back on those moments with pride and gratitude.
Many students struggle with distractions. How did you manage your time and stay focused?
Honestly, staying focused was not always easy, especially in my early days at the university. When I was in 100-level, I got into a relationship, and I must admit, it affected my focus a lot. Imagine just gaining admission and already getting distracted.
The funny part is that she was very brilliant; she had a first class in 100-level, while my CGPA at the time was 3.65. Eventually, she left me for no tangible reason, and though it was not easy at the time, I later realised it was a blessing in disguise. That experience helped me refocus and dedicate myself fully to my academic goals.
After that, I became more disciplined with my time. I created a structured study plan, minimised distractions, and surrounded myself with people who motivated me. Setting clear academic targets also helped me stay on track. In the end, I learnt that sometimes, setbacks can push you toward success if you channel them the right way.
Did you have to work part-time or hustle while schooling, or were you fully supported?
I did not engage in any formal part-time job, but from my 100-level days until graduation, I was fully dedicated to teaching students. I am the founder of Megabodmas Tutorial, and running a tutorial while being a student was not easy, but it helped me a lot. My brain was constantly working 24/7, and I had to keep improving my knowledge to teach effectively.
There were times when I encountered topics I had never come across before, and my junior students would ask me about them. In such cases, I had to go the extra mile to study beyond my coursework to ensure I could teach them well. Balancing this with my academics was not easy, but I genuinely love being a tutor. Teaching is interesting and fulfilling for me.
Financially, I was not fully supported. At some point, my parents could no longer afford to support me enough. So, I had to rely on the money I made from tutoring and the prizes I won from Mathematics competitions. Interestingly, I also had the opportunity to teach Indian students, and I was paid for it. I am still doing this work to this day. It was tough, but looking back, I am grateful because it made me stronger, more independent, and even more passionate about Mathematics.
What’s the most unusual place you’ve ever studied, especially during exams?
I have studied in many unusual places, especially during exam periods when I needed absolute focus. One of the most unusual places I ever studied was inside a mosque. It wasn’t because I went there for prayers at that moment, but because I needed a quiet environment free from distractions. While others were at home or in noisy hostel rooms, I found peace and concentration in that space.
During exam periods, I didn’t really care where I was as long as I could focus. Whether it was a silent corner in an unexpected place or even while standing in a queue, I always found a way to study.
Did you ever fail a test or exam, and how did you handle it?
I never failed a test or exam, but back in my 100-level days, I had an experience that felt like failure to me. In PHY 102, I knew the course very well, but the exam was CBT (Computer-Based Test), and unfortunately, I am not a fan of CBT exams. I ended up getting an E in the course, and in my mind, that was a failure because I knew I could have done much better.
The reality is that I prefer written exams over CBT because I can express my understanding better on paper. I can say it anywhere; CBT exams affected my results back then. But despite that, Alhamdulillah, I still pushed through and achieved my goal of graduating with a first class.
Aside from academics, what other activities were you involved in on campus?
Aside from academics, I was deeply involved in tutoring and academic mentorship. Beyond tutoring, I was also actively involved in leadership. I was elected as the President of the Mathematics Department.
What’s a common myth people have about First Class students that you want to correct?
One common myth people have about first-class students is that we don’t have a social life or that we study 24/7 without doing anything else. This is not true. While hard work and consistency are important, it does not mean we don’t have fun or engage in other activities.
For example, I was not just focused on my studies; I was teaching, mentoring, leading as the Mathematics Department President, and even competing in Mathematics competitions. I also had my fair share of distractions, like when I got into a relationship in 100-level, which affected my focus. But I learnt from that experience and got back on track.
Another myth is that first-class students never struggle. This is also false. I had challenges, especially financial struggles, which forced me to sponsor myself through tutoring and competition prizes. I also had my weaknesses, like my dislike for CBT exams, which affected my grades at some point.
So, being a first-class student is not about being a superhuman or studying every second of the day. It’s about consistency, smart work, proper time management, and knowing how to balance academics with other aspects of life.
Were there times you felt lonely or isolated because of your academic pursuit?
Yes, there were times I felt lonely or isolated because of my academic pursuit. When you are deeply focused on a goal like graduating with a first class, you naturally have to make some sacrifices. There were moments when my friends were hanging out, attending social events, or just relaxing, but I had to stay back to study or teach my students.
Also, because I was always tutoring and engaging in academic activities, some people assumed I was always too serious or too busy, so they didn’t invite me to some gatherings. Sometimes, I even felt like I was missing out on certain experiences.
Can you share one personal struggle you faced in school that people don’t know about?
Honestly, I don’t think there was a personal struggle I faced in school that people didn’t know about. I was always open with my course mates and students, especially those who were close to me. Whenever I had challenges—whether academic, financial, or personal—I shared them with the right people, and that helped me a lot.
However, one thing people may not fully realise is how tough it was balancing everything; studying, tutoring, leading as the department president, and even sponsoring myself at some point. It was not easy, but I never let those struggles stop me.
What role did your friends, lecturers, or mentors play in your success story?
My friends played a huge role in my success story. Charity, Favour, Odun, and Abdulbaky were always there for me, offering support in different ways, whether academically, emotionally, or just being great friends. Their presence made my university journey easier and more enjoyable.
My lecturers also contributed a lot to my growth, but I must give special appreciation to my HOD, Prof. Akinola Lukman. He was truly supportive and helped shape my academic experience in many ways.
And to my mentors, Mr Qozeem, Mr Teslim, Mr Samad, and Abdulazeez Timson, I can’t thank them enough. Their guidance, motivation, and encouragement pushed me to stay focused and keep striving for excellence.
What was your CGPA?
4.51
What’s next for you after this achievement? What are your dreams and goals?
After this achievement, my next goal is to further my education. I am looking for a scholarship abroad to pursue my master’s degree and beyond. If an opportunity arises in Nigeria as well, I am open to it. I need help and support.
I am passionate about Mathematics and its applications and want to continue expanding my knowledge and contributing to the field. I also plan to keep teaching and mentoring students because I believe in giving back and helping others excel in Mathematics, just as I did.
