‘Perfect 5.00 CGPA,’ Meet UNILORIN’s 2026 Best Graduating Student

‘The major thing I sacrifice is pleasure,’ Francis Olusegun, speaks on feat

Francis Olusegun, a 2025/2026 graduate of the Department of Mathematics on the University of Ilorin, has emerged as one of the best graduating scholar after recording an ideal 5.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

In an interview revealed on Tuesday by the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ilorin, Olusegun attributed his achievement to self-belief, consistency, adaptability and a dedication to excel.

The graduate mentioned he started to think about the potential of graduating with an ideal CGPA after seeing his 100-level outcomes, which satisfied 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 mentioned.

Olusegun, who mentioned he had all the time needed to be one of the best graduating scholar wherever he discovered himself, defined that the objective of graduating with an ideal rating developed as he progressed by means of the college.

“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 calls for of learning Mathematics, which he described as an summary science, Olusegun mentioned his longstanding curiosity within the topic made it a simple alternative.

“What drew me to the course was my love for it, which started in primary school. I have always enjoyed solving mathematical problems,” he mentioned.

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“There is a connection between me and Mathematics, and that made it easy for me to choose it.”

Explaining how he maintained his educational efficiency throughout 4 educational periods and eight semesters, Olusegun mentioned his mindset, flexibility and consistency have been 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 mentioned.

He defined that fairly than comply with a inflexible research timetable, he developed a private strategy that allowed him to regulate when a specific methodology 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 mentioned.

Olusegun added that he normally revised classes on the identical day they have been taught and performed extra analysis to know troublesome ideas.

“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 mentioned.

He additionally mentioned he paid shut consideration to his check scores as a result of they contributed to his last 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 mentioned.

“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.”

The graduate acknowledged that social media typically distracted him, however mentioned he intentionally restricted actions that would take his consideration away from his targets.

“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 mentioned.

He mentioned his humble background made him acutely aware of the necessity to take his future critically.

“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 additionally recounted challenges he confronted when his cellphone grew to become defective throughout his first 12 months, leaving him with out it till 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 mentioned.

He mentioned a buddy helped him by means of the interval by lending him one other cellphone for studying and follow.

“Fortunately, one of my friends gave me his other phone to use for reading and practising. That helped me get through the period,” he mentioned.

Financial difficulties additionally affected his college expertise, however he mentioned he sought help every time he wanted 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 mentioned.

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.”

Olusegun mentioned he was largely answerable for motivating himself academically, noting that his mother and father weren’t educated and didn’t always 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 mentioned.

He mentioned he managed strain by remaining calm and specializing in options fairly than permitting 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 mentioned.

He additionally defined that fatigue didn’t essentially imply he had to surrender on his targets.

“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 mentioned.

The graduate credited his mother and father, church members, associates and former college students of his division for supporting him all through his educational 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 mentioned.

“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.”

Olusegun mentioned finishing his diploma with an ideal CGPA was each a private fulfilment and a motivation to pursue better targets.

“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 mentioned.

He added that he had persistently been one of the best graduating scholar from main college by means of college and was the primary particular person in his speedy household to graduate with a first-class diploma.

After attaining his undergraduate objective, he mentioned his consideration had shifted to the subsequent stage of his educational 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 mentioned.

“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 mentioned he was notably excited about mathematical biology and the usage of mathematical fashions to know and forecast infectious illnesses.

“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 mentioned.

Olusegun added that he hoped to mix Mathematics with rising applied sciences, notably synthetic intelligence, to deal with public well being and epidemiological challenges.

NOP NIGERIA