A 2025/2026 graduate of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Ilorin, Francis Olusegun, has graduated with a perfect 5.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average, emerging as the best graduating student.
In an interview published on Tuesday by the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ilorin, and sighted by PUNCH Online on Friday, Olusegun attributed his achievement to self-belief, consistency, adaptability and a determination to excel.
The graduate said he began to consider the possibility of graduating with a perfect CGPA after seeing his 100-level results, which convinced him that the feat was achievable.
“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.
Olusegun, who said he had always wanted to be the best graduating student wherever he found himself, explained that the goal of graduating with a perfect score developed as he progressed through 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.
Despite the demands of studying Mathematics, which he described as an abstract science, Olusegun said his longstanding interest in the subject made it an easy choice.
“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.”
PUNCH Online had reported that the University of Ilorin would confer degrees and other academic qualifications on 16,152 graduands at its 41st convocation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic session, with 365 students graduating with first-class honours.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), announced the figures during a press briefing ahead of the ceremony, scheduled to run from October 21 to 23.
‘I had already won in my mind’
Explaining how he maintained his academic performance across four academic sessions and eight semesters, Olusegun said his mindset, flexibility and consistency were central to his success.
“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 rather than follow a rigid study timetable, he developed a personal approach that allowed him to adjust when a particular method stopped working.
“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.
Olusegun added that he usually revised lessons on the same day they were taught and conducted additional research to understand difficult concepts.
“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.
He also said he paid close attention to his test scores because they contributed to 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.”
Social media, sacrifices and financial challenges
The graduate acknowledged that social media sometimes distracted him, but said he deliberately limited activities that could take his attention away from his goals.
“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.
He said his humble background made him conscious of the need to take his future seriously.
“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 added.
Olusegun also recounted challenges he faced when his phone became faulty during his first year, leaving him without it until after his first-semester examinations.
“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 said a friend helped him through the period by lending him another phone for reading and practice.
“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 he said he sought assistance whenever he needed it.
“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 added, “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.”
‘I pushed myself’
Olusegun said he was largely responsible for motivating himself academically, noting that his parents were not educated and did not constantly push him to excel.
“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 said he managed pressure by remaining calm and focusing on solutions rather than allowing expectations to overwhelm him.
“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.
He also explained that fatigue did not necessarily mean he had to give up on his goals.
“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.
The graduate credited his parents, church members, friends and former students of his department for supporting him throughout his academic journey.
“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.”
Eyes on postgraduate studies and research
Olusegun said completing his degree with a perfect CGPA was both a personal fulfilment and a motivation to pursue greater goals.
“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 been 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.
After achieving his undergraduate goal, he said his attention had shifted to the next stage of his academic journey.
“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.”
He said he was particularly interested in mathematical biology and the use of mathematical models to understand and forecast infectious diseases.
“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.
Olusegun added that he hoped to combine Mathematics with emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to address public health and epidemiological challenges.