Getting First Class has taught me that God should be trusted —Bisola Boyejo, OOU’s First-Class Pharmacy graduate

Bisola Boyejo graduated with a First Class and as the best-graduating student of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, for the 2024-2025 session. She finished with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.82 on a scale of 5.0. In this interview by KINGSLEY ALUMONA, she speaks about her academic feat, among other things.

As of the time you were applying for JAMB, what was your idea of pharmacy and what pharmacists do?

When I was applying for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, I did not have a deep understanding of the pharmacy profession. I knew I wanted to study a course within the medical field, and was certain medicine and surgery was not the path I wanted to pursue. While exploring other healthcare-related options, I came across pharmacy. I mainly associated it with dispensing medications in a pharmacy setting, and that seemed like a respectable and professional career path to me.

Although no one specifically motivated or influenced me to choose the course, I thought it was really suitable. However, as I progressed through my studies, I began to realise that pharmacy is far broader and more impactful than I initially thought. It involves drug research, development, patient care, and many more.

Among all the universities in Nigeria, how did you come to study at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)? Did your faculty and the university meet your expectations?

I had initially applied to other universities but was not offered admission because I did not meet their cut-off marks at the time. While exploring other options, I decided to look for a university in my state of origin, where, as an indigene, I might have a better opportunity for admission. That was how I came across Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU). I also noticed that the university offered medical and health-related courses, including pharmacy, which aligned with my academic interests. So I decided to apply there.

Looking back, I believe the university provided a solid and quality educational experience, and it has played an important role in shaping my academic journey.

What did you do differently to make a first class? And how did you feel or react when you discovered you would graduate with a first?

I would say that I did not necessarily do anything extraordinary, but I became more intentional about my approach to my studies. I relied a lot on God for guidance and strength throughout the process. At the same time, I learned to be more focused and disciplined with my work. I trained myself to avoid distractions while studying and to complete tasks when they were due. Another important change was learning to collaborate more with my classmates instead of seeing everything as a competition. Studying and discussing concepts together helped deepen my understanding and made learning more effective.

When I eventually saw the result, I was honestly shocked, but also very happy and deeply grateful to God for His grace. My family members were extremely proud of me, especially my dad. He has always encouraged my siblings and me to take our studies seriously. He knew I put effort into my academics, but I think this result exceeded even his expectations. It meant a lot to see how proud he was.

What area(s) or aspect(s) of pharmacy interested you more and why? Which of the courses did you do well in?

I am particularly interested in academia and research in drug discovery. I am deeply interested in drug discovery and research. I would like to contribute to the development of new drugs that can help address major health challenges, especially in ways that can improve access to effective treatments for people who may not have access to world-class healthcare.

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In my studies, I particularly did well in pharmaceutics. One of the reasons for this was that I really appreciated the lecturers who taught the course. Their teaching style made the subject very engaging, and it further strengthened my interest in the science behind drug formulation and development.

What was your final-year project work about, its findings, and its relevance to society?

Toxicological evaluation (in vivo) of Sphaerocorynes gracilipes, traditional medicinal plants are extensively utilised worldwide, but their safety profiles are inadequately investigated. Sphaerocorynes gracilipes, utilised in traditional medicine for multiple conditions, e.g., diabetes, inflammation, etc., but not tested for toxicity.

An in vivo toxicity study was carried out, and it concluded that elevated doses resulted in dose-dependent detrimental effects, especially in hepatic, renal, and brain tissues. The findings emphasise the need for dose regulation in the therapeutic use of S. gracilipes and indicate the necessity for additional research to clarify its toxicity mechanism and possible long-term dangers.

Caution should be taken in the administration of high doses, but it is relatively safe in low doses. Assessing the toxicity profile helps determine the safety of drugs (even herbal medications) when administered to people. It highlights the importance of proper dose regulation.

Fake and expired drugs still make their way into Nigerian pharmacy stores, wrecking lives. What are pharmacists like you and pharmacy associations/organisations doing to curb this menace?

Pharmacy associations and regulatory organisations in Nigeria are actively working to combat the circulation of fake and expired drugs. Their efforts include monitoring, regulation, and public awareness campaigns. However, this challenge cannot be addressed by them alone. As citizens, we also have a responsibility to remain vigilant, report suspicious products, and ensure that such drugs do not reach patients. Pharmacists, too, play a critical role in this fight by carefully verifying the source and quality of the medicines they dispense and educating patients about the risks associated with counterfeit drugs.

While there are challenges, especially in remote areas where enforcement can be difficult, there is hope. If everyone, from regulatory bodies to healthcare professionals to the public, performs their roles diligently and ethically, we can significantly reduce this menace.

Certain drugs, especially painkillers, are abused by some people, with the belief that it makes them high or enhance certain functions of their body. What is your take on this?

Abusing drugs, including painkillers, is completely wrong and extremely harmful. While some people may believe it gives them a “high” or enhances certain body functions, the reality is that such practices can cause serious long-term damage to vital organs, including the liver, kidneys, and heart.

My advice to anyone engaging in this behaviour is to stop immediately and seek help, if necessary. Medications are meant to treat specific health conditions, not to be used as we please or feel. Education, awareness, and responsible use of drugs are key to preventing these harmful practices.

If you were to solve three national problems facing Nigeria with your pharmacy expertise, which problems would they be, and how would you go about solving them?

Circulation of fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria. My approach would be to collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in focusing on drug safety and quality testing as a pharmacist interested in drug research and toxicology. This could involve researching drug toxicity, supporting better drug verification systems, and helping develop technologies or reporting systems that make it easier to detect fake medicines and protect patients.

Nigeria also struggles with limited health research data, meaning many treatment decisions rely on studies done outside Africa. Institutions like the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) are working to improve this, but more researchers are needed. I could contribute to building a dataset on diseases common in Nigeria and how the drugs affect the African population. This would help improve treatment guidelines and strengthen Nigeria’s role in global medical research.

Another challenge is that many Nigerians misuse medicines due to a limited understanding of how drugs should be taken. This contributes to problems like antimicrobial resistance. As a pharmacist, I could help by educating the public about safe medication use through community pharmacies, social media, or simple digital health platforms. By making reliable drug information more accessible, I could help people make safer health decisions and reduce harmful drug misuse.

In the course of your undergraduate studies, what would you say were your social, entrepreneurial, and leadership achievements?

My leadership positions and achievements include: Member, Academic Committee (2024); Member, WAAW Foundation, OOU Sagamu Chapter (2025); Member, PANS OOU Public Health Committee (2024); Member, IPSF Committee, PANSOOU; Evangelism Secretary, RCFOOUTH (2023); and General Secretary, RCFOOUTH (2024 and 2025).

In your LinkedIn post, where you announced your first-class feat, you stated that “I celebrate not just a degree, but the process behind it.” Tell us about this process and how it shaped your academic journey.

It seemed long. The process includes stepping out of my shell to allow me to connect with people, letting go of small-mindedness and doubts in myself, but learning to believe and having confidence in the graces God has given me. I learnt to do things smartly and in collaboration with like-minded people, which gave me a strong foundation. Moments of laughter and strength, which boosted my confidence, moments of tears and weakness, which felt like I would not make it, but I still persevered. Being in a leadership position in church, yet still topping my academics, all this felt hard at the time.

It taught me that no matter what it is that I may come across in the future, God has given me the strength to overcome. It has taught and shown me that God can be trusted.

What memory would you also remember your university for? And what three things would you like your university to improve on to make life and study easier for students?

The memory I would remember is my lecturers and the way they taught from a place of love.

My university should provide more laboratory equipment, well-ventilated and conducive classrooms for learning, and provide facilities for night studies.

If you were offered a fully funded postgraduate scholarship to study in any university in the world, which course would you study and at which university, and why?

If I were given a fully funded postgraduate scholarship, I would study drug discovery and translational biology at the University of Edinburgh. I chose this course because it sits at the cutting edge of translating scientific discoveries into effective therapies, which aligns perfectly with my passion for research and improving healthcare outcomes. The programme emphasises not only understanding the science behind drug development but also applying it to real-world medical challenges, which is exactly the kind of skill set I want to develop.

The University of Edinburgh has world-class research facilities, a strong focus on biomedical innovation, and a history of producing impactful research in pharmacology. Studying there would give me the knowledge, mentorship, and international exposure needed to contribute meaningfully to drug research, especially in contexts like improving access to safe and effective medicines for populations with limited healthcare resources.