‘I once considered abandoning the course’ —OOU’s best graduating student

Tell us about your background, your family and how you grew up.

I am Ajayi Jesulayomi, also known as Super G. I was born into the family of Mr. Solomon Ajayi and Mrs. Olusola Ajayi. I was born into a family of three, as the second child and second male son. I am from Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. However, I was born and bred in Lagos. My father is an accountant, while my mother is a teacher. My elder brother is an architect while my younger sister is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry here in OOU.

You studied Electrical/Electronics Engineering. Was this what you’ve always wanted or you just had to settle for it when you couldn’t get your dream course?

While growing up, I wanted to be an accountant, just like my father. However, when I got to SS1 and it was time to choose between the three arms of senior secondary school (science, commercial and art), my father did not allow me to go to commercial class; he insisted that I must go to science class. Till date, I still don’t know the reason. During my three years in senior secondary school, I enjoyed toying with electrical appliances. Hence, I decided to study Electrical Electronics Engineering

Did it come as a surprise to you that you emerged the overall best student in your set? Or, was that your target from the beginning?

I knew I have what it takes to graduate with a first class, but graduating as the best student in the university I didn’t expect. I knew I was the best graduating student in my department and faculty, but in the university, not at all.  I was more than surprised when I heard it.

These days, it’s usually very tough for candidates to gain university admission in Nigeria, especially to science courses. What was your experience?

Gaining admission was quite easy for me. I passed both WASSCE and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination at one sitting (2013). I scored 242 in UTME. I had two As, six Bs and One C (Biology) in WASSCE. In fact, I was offered admission in Obafemi Awolowo University and OOU. I had to turn down the one for OAU because that wasn’t the course I wanted to study. OAU offered me Computer Science while OOU offered me Electrical Electronics Engineering

Was there any particular challenging period or incidents in the course of your study that you can possibly not forget easily? And how did you overcome them?

Most engineering students in OOU will not forget their 2001. It was very challenging, especially two courses: Engineering Drawing and Workshop Practice. In Engineering Drawing, no matter how neat and detailed your drawing is, you will always have to redraw, while Workshop Practice requires a lot of physical energy. It got to a point I was thinking of how to run away from school. One thing that kept me moving on was the realization that everything I was passing through at that moment was only preparing me for the future. It was a price I must pay. It motivated me until I dropped the idea of absconding.

Looking back, what factors would you say worked for you?

I did the same thing every serious student did on campus: study hard. God is the one who crowned all my efforts.

What were your best and worst times along the way?

My best moment on campus was when I and my close friends saw our result for the first semester 300 level and we all had 4.5 and above. The joy on our faces was something I can’t forget. After so many sleepless nights, we finally had the chance to smile. My worst moment I can’t forget was in 200 level, first semester. I was down with malaria but I had to go to the workshop to complete my project. I almost passed out that day. But I thank God for everything

What kind of activities were you involved in on campus?

I was not involved in many activities on campus; just my academics and church activities. I was very active in the campus fellowship I attended (Mountain of Fire and Miracles). Not being involved in so many things helped me a lot. I was able to plan my time well.

How did you manage distraction from the opposite sex? What level of socialization did you have?

My faculty is not on the main campus. College of Engineering and Environmental Studies is in Ibogun. In engineering, we don’t have a lot of females, so there was little or no distraction, though I had a very close female friend. We were just friends. If I’m to rate the social life in Ibogun, I’ll rate it 3 out of 10.

What vital life’s lesson(s) have you learnt from the way things have turned out for you?

One of the most important life’s lessons I have learnt is to never give up. No matter the situation, don’t give up. There is always light at the end of every tunnel.