My valedictorian feat symbolises transformation from average student to leader, innovator — Maryam Ibraheem, Fountain Varsity’s overall best-graduating student

Maryam Ibraheem is the overall best-graduating student of Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, for the 2024-2025 academic session. She graduated with a First Class from the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, finishing with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.92 on a scale of 5.00. In this interview by KINGSLEY ALUMONA, she speaks about her academic feat, among other issues.

How would you describe your secondary education, and how did it prepare you for your university education?

I attended and graduated from Al-Hikmat Schools in 2017. It is a private secondary school in Lagos that emphasises discipline, consistency, and responsibility. While I never received awards, the structured routines and culture of accountability taught me perseverance and the value of effort. My teachers encouraged all students, promoting patience, gradual progress, and personal growth over comparison. Being an average student nurtured humility, focus, and resilience, while moral, spiritual and ethical lessons in honesty, integrity, and respect shaped my conduct. These experiences helped me endure delays in university admission and laid the foundation for my academic success.

What or who inspired you to study medical laboratory science? Why not medicine or nursing? And why did you choose to study at Fountain University?

When applying for university, my decision to study medical laboratory science was initially practical, as it was the only available medical-related course at the time. I had always been interested in medical sciences, but not medicine itself, because I believed it was for exceptionally brilliant students. Over time, this practical choice became a genuine passion as I discovered the crucial role laboratory science plays in patient care, diagnosis, and research.

After four years of attempting to gain admission into the university, I opted for a private university after the COVID-19 pandemic. I chose Fountain University because it balances academic excellence with faith, character, and morality. The supportive environment, dedicated lecturers, and faith-centred community fostered both intellectual and spiritual growth. This experience shaped my discipline, humility, and leadership, giving me the tools to excel academically and personally. Ultimately, circumstance became opportunity, and opportunity became growth, nurturing both my professional development and spiritual foundation.

What was the experience like studying medical laboratory science? And what did you do differently to make a first-class in the course?

When I resumed at Fountain University, my journey began with fear and uncertainty, as I resumed very late in the first semester and faced the prospect of writing exams despite being unprepared. This experience immediately taught me that university life demands resilience, adaptability, and composure under pressure. To overcome these challenges, I had to improve on my mindset to become better than I was in my secondary. I became intentional about my approach to learning. I attended and listened attentively in classes and clinical postings, and focused on understanding concepts rather than memorising. Then ensured to work practically whenever I am in the laboratory.

I also built my life around prayer and reliance on Allah, seeking calmness, clarity, and guidance in times of confusion or stress. Additionally, I chose to associate with disciplined and goal-oriented peers, creating a supportive environment. These habits transformed my university experience, enabling me to move from fear to confidence, and survival to striving for excellence.

You stated in your recent LinkedIn post that you received 16 awards for your first-class and overall best graduating feat. Which of the awards did you value most? And how did you and your family feel about these stellar feats?

Among all the 16 awards I received, the most valued was the NASFAT Youth Prize for Best Graduate with the Most Innovative Research and Exemplary Leadership. This award recognised more than academic excellence. It celebrated creativity and leadership qualities, and was a testament to my abilities beyond academics, as I have been leading from one position to another since I was in my second year.

It also brought immense joy to my family, validating their sacrifices and support. For me, it symbolised personal growth, transformation from an average student to a leader and innovator, and a reminder that sincere effort and faith are always rewarded.

As the overall best graduating student and valedictorian of Fountain University, what was the major highlight of your valedictorian speech? What advice do you have for your fellow graduands?

The highlight of my valedictorian speech was the message that perseverance can rewrite anyone’s story. I emphasised that I stood there not because of natural brilliance, but because I never gave up, even as an average student facing uncertainty. I reminded fellow graduands that success is often quiet and gradual, built through patience, discipline, consistency, and faith in Allah. I encouraged them to remain disciplined, trust in divine guidance, and stay humble and grateful.

My message was simple: Beginnings do not define endings; and, with persistence, faith, and effort, anyone can achieve growth, excellence, and purpose.

What was the title of your final-year project work, and what is its significance to society and the health sector?

My final-year project is titled ‘Investigating the relationship between ovarian hormones and nutritional status in the pathophysiology of dysmenorrhea’.

The study explored the role of nutrition and hormones in dysmenorrhoea, which can inform preventive programmes focusing on dietary interventions in managing menstrual pain. It can also open opportunities for nutritional supplements or functional foods as alternatives to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with side effects in long-term use in the pharmaceutical industry. In the diagnostic industry, it supports the inclusion of certain biochemical markers — such as lipid profile, hormonal profile, protein and albumin — in the routine evaluation of dysmenorrhoea.

If you were to address three health problems in your community using your medical laboratory science expertise, what would they be, and how would you go about it?

I would address metabolic and hormonal disorders, nutritional deficiencies, and poor preventive healthcare in my community using my expertise as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Many conditions, like diabetes, hormonal imbalances, and dysmenorrhea, go undetected due to low awareness. I would promote early detection through community-based laboratory screenings and educational campaigns. Nutritional deficiencies would be tackled via biochemical assessments, dietary counselling, and practical guidance on affordable, balanced diets.

To improve health-seeking behaviour, I would advocate routine check-ups, preventive screenings, and accessible laboratory services.

Your LinkedIn profile states that you are a health and wellness advocate who creates health awareness through storytelling. How do you go about this advocacy? Which platforms do you use to create health awareness?

I am a health and wellness advocate who uses storytelling to make medical information relatable and impactful. Many people find technical health terms intimidating, so I translate medical knowledge into everyday narratives, showing how conditions affect daily life, emotions, and long-term wellbeing. I draw from my experiences in medical laboratory science, my academic journey, and community observations to blend science with empathy, encouraging reflection, curiosity, and personal responsibility rather than fear.

My advocacy spans multiple platforms. On LinkedIn, I combine personal growth stories with health education to inspire professionals and students. WhatsApp allows me to share interactive tips, reminders, and voice notes with my community. I engage in discussions at schools, youth groups, and faith-based gatherings.

Fountain University is a faith-based university. What values did the university inculcate in you? And what do you have to say to the university for the kind of training you received from it?

Fountain University, as a faith-based institution, shaped my academic, personal, and spiritual growth. Through the Fountain University Muslim Students’ Society (FUMSS) and campus culture, I learned to integrate faith into every aspect of life, understanding that true success combines knowledge with integrity, humility, and obedience to Allah. The university instilled discipline, emphasising punctuality, responsibility, and consistency, which helped me grow into a focused and organised individual. I also developed a strong sense of integrity, honesty, and professionalism, values critical in my role as a medical laboratory scientist. Fountain University fostered leadership, teamwork, and hardwork through its sense of community.

The holistic training I received nurtured both intellect and character, preparing me to excel academically while remaining grounded in faith, ethics, and social responsibility.

What was your best moment at the university and your worst moments, too? How did you manage the worst moments?

My best university moment was during 500 level, when I fully engaged in academics and extracurricular activities outside the university, won several prizes, and made meaningful relationships. It was a period where years of hard work and perseverance culminated in fulfilment and recognition.

My worst moments occurred in 400 level, when my CGPA dropped, and during my project period, which was stressful with tight deadlines and high expectations.

I managed these challenges through self-reflection, disciplined planning, seeking guidance from lecturers and peers, and relying on prayer and patience. These experiences taught me resilience, time management, and problem-solving, preparing me for future success.

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

I would pursue a Master of Health Sciences in Laboratory Medicine at the University of Toronto, a top-ranked institution. This is because the programme offers a combination of advanced academic knowledge and hands-on clinical training, which enhances my career opportunities and professional credibility in the medical laboratory science.