Taoheed Oyewo is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Oyo State. He was presented with 10 awards during his induction into the engineering profession. He shares his academic and success story.
What was your journey in LAUTECH like?
My Journey in LAUTECH was full of ups and downs. However, as an engineering addict and a lifelong humanitarian, I demonstrated a wide range of interests, including capacity building, politics, hackathons, academic research, and engagement. I actively participated in community development projects and served as a technical editor and founding member of The Perspicacious Polymaths (TPP), a group dedicated to Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on education, well-being and human capital development.
Why did you decide to study Mechanical Engineering?
I chose to study mechanical engineering due to my profound fascination and passion for mathematics. The logical and analytical nature of mathematics captivated me, and I yearned for a field that would allow me to apply these principles to create tangible solutions for real-world problems. Engineering, with its focus on practical applications and observable outcomes, emerged as the perfect amalgamation of my interests.
Having a meaningful impact on the world has always been a driving force for me, and engineering offered the ideal avenue to effect genuine change in people’s lives. The prospect of contributing to advancements that positively affect society motivated my career choice.
Furthermore, I have always had diverse academic interests, spanning various disciplines such as chemistry, physics, and English. Mechanical engineering, with its multidisciplinary nature, presented a unique opportunity to expand my knowledge and expertise in a wide array of fields. It felt like the most fulfilling path for personal growth and meaningful contributions to society.
Did you do anything apart from academics?
Apart from excelling in academics, I also hold a prominent role as the Emperor (lead) of the National Liberty Vanguard (NLV). The NLV is a non-governmental and non-profit organisation dedicated to nurturing promising youths who share a common belief in the importance of academic advancement and excellence, instrumental socialism, and effective political organisation.
How were you able to balance academics, school politics, and other things you did?
I prioritise making my schedule around socialising and making a positive impact. Instead of structuring my academics as the top priority, I fit my studying around opportunities to socialise and create meaningful impacts. If I want to travel to learn new things, attend conferences, or meet new people, even if it takes up a significant portion of the day, I’ll gladly study at night to accommodate it.
My rationale behind this approach is simple. I can always find time to do my academic work and study, but spending quality time with friends and making an impact on others› lives may not always be as readily available. These experiences are limited, and I believe that making my life solely about academics, especially at the university level, can become overwhelming and draining. Of course, there are exceptions. I do prioritise academics when facing time constraints to turn in assignments, during finals or midterm weeks, or when I notice my grades slipping. But, I ensure to allocate time for socialising and creating positive impacts. For instance, my community of friends and I shared values. We organize events every Saturday, inviting prominent speakers to address over 500 youths on various challenges and beneficial topics, offering solutions and ways to move forward. We have initiated programmes such as skill acquisition, talent shows, political discussions, and sports activities, all aimed at adding value to the youth community.
Thanks to the system I developed − my social life doesn›t suffer, my grades stay on track, and I still manage to get enough sleep (usually). Time management is the key to making this lifestyle work. I’ve found that by balancing academics with socialising and impacting others, I can relax and work hard simultaneously, making both aspects of my life rewarding and fulfilling.
What were the things that helped you as an undergraduate?
The unwavering support of my parents, Mrs Rasidat Oyewo and late Akeem Oyewo, and the close-knit community of friends, starting from the trio group and expanding to a larger circle, have been a significant source of strength and encouragement in my life.
Tell us about your good and bad times on campus?
In my university experience, I find great joy in being both a student researcher and a writer. It allows me to share my adventures and create a personal digital library filled with stories from my time here. However, I must admit that sometimes I feel like I’m presenting a curated version of my life. I tend to share only the positive aspects, the triumphs, and the advice that comes after overcoming challenges. Unfortunately, this may give the impression that everything has been smooth sailing, which couldn’t be further from the truth. As an engineering student, I’ve shared various stories from myself and my colleagues, promoting the engineering profession and offering perspectives on achieving quality education (SDG-4), sustainable cities and communities, clean water and sanitation (SDG-6), affordable and clean energy (SDG-7), and sustainable cities and communities (SDG-11). But amidst all this, I want you to know that my journey hasn’t been without its fair share of difficulties. There have been countless bad days during my studies. I’ve had moments where I walked into class and completely blanked, unable to grasp the material. I’ve faced harsh feedback from professors and classmates, leaving me questioning my suitability for the programme. Some days, I’ve been so exhausted that everything seemed to go wrong. It’s essential to remember that behind every story or lesson shared, some struggles and challenges shaped those experiences. I strive to be more open and honest about the ups and downs, acknowledging that the path to success is rarely without obstacles. Despite the rough days, I remain committed to my passion for learning and sharing knowledge, cherishing both the triumphs and the trials that have made my university experience truly meaningful.
You applied for many competitions and won many. What would you like to say about them?
Some were challenging, most were value-adding, and most were eye-opening.
During your induction into the engineering profession, how did you feel when you were presented with 10 awards?
It was a bittersweet moment for me. On one hand, I felt immense happiness as my efforts were recognised and rewarded. However, there was also deep sadness within me. When I entered LAUTECH, both of my parents were by my side. But, unfortunately, I lost my father to the cold hands of death before I could graduate.
Tell us about your awards ?
I’m the 2023 winner of the Annual Undergraduate Global Design Health Competition held in the USA; the 2022 winner of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) Innovative Young Engineers Competition; the 2022 winner of the All Nigeria Universities Quiz Competition. Additionally, I emerged as the winner of the 2021 National Engineering Brains Competition, and the 2021 winner of the Professor Abdul Ganiy Raji Paper and PowerPoint Competition. Furthermore, I bagged the runner-up position in the Nigeria Society of Engineering Week Competition.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
As a top 10 recent graduate from the Mechanical Engineering Department, my true passion lies in becoming an Acadio-industrialist. I envision myself completing a PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, specialising in materials science and nanotechnology. My ultimate goal is to secure prestigious scholarships and grants while actively leading and making significant contributions to one of the leading sustainable energy companies in the world.
What advice can you give to ‘Ladokites’ you have inspired with your achievement?
Generate value and have the patience to wait for it to reach those who require it. Trust that beneficial things will come in due time.
Is there anything else that you would like to share?
As a young and innovative individual, I sought the guidance and mentorship of Professor Tesleem Asafa, who graciously became my academic supervisor. I was fascinated to learn that oil accounts for 33 per cent of the world’s energy (Wilcox, 2014), and transportation engines alone consume over 60 per cent of the daily 70 million barrels of crude oil used. However, existing automotive oil has a short lifespan, leading to frequent replacements. The nano additive utilised in this process is imported from overseas, which adversely affects Nigeria’s currency rate. This realisation sparked my interest in researching an alternative nano additive that can be produced locally using cost-effective nanomaterial. My research focuses on evaluating the effects of LUBCON nanoparticles on various properties of both spent and new automotive oil. Additionally, I aim to compare the properties of silver nanoparticle-modified oil with nanoadrenalin-modified automotive oil. .
Supplied by Gbadegesin Adeyanju, a campus journalist at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Oyo State.
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