It Took Me 11 Years To Achieve This- Hakeem Balogun, UNILAG First Class Graduate


Academic is one place where people’s career dreams and lifelong aspirations are envisaged. But what does it take to achieve your dreams? Hakeem Balogun, who was unable to meet the Jamb Matriculation Admissions Board (JAMB) twice recently graduate from the famous University of Lagos with a grade point of 4.66/5.0 in B. Sc Industrial Relations and Personnel Management.

After eleven years of educational activities, the former human resource management student narrates his success story, saying:

“B.sc, Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, 4.66/5.0; First Class Honours”

“It took me 11 years to achieve this!!!

“I remember finishing secondary school in 2011 with the perfect dream of gaining admission into the University the next year, graduating from the University latest by 2016 but guess what! JAMB “jammed” me twice on my journey to success redirecting me to Yaba College of Technology in 2013, but my dream of becoming a university graduate was never knocked out rather my passion and intensity grew more determined.

 

UNILAG Award Misturah Olaleye First Class Honours Degree in Chemistry

 

“While trying to integrate into my current reality, I got hit with another punch in the gut, ASUP (Polytechnic lecturers) went on strike before we formally resumed, the strike lasted for over a year. We did not resume classes until 2014, sadly a year just went by but as fate would have it what started on sour note ended well for me as I did not allow my situation to affect me, I graduated in 2016 with a distinction result from Yabatech (3.53/4.0) in Business Administration and Management, however, for me the best news that year was gaining admission to the University of Lagos (my dream was finally coming to reality).

A course of 4 years turned to 5 due to ASUU strike and the Covid-19 Pandemic, but I am grateful to God that after 11 good years of waiting and pushing consistently, my dream of becoming a University graduate finally became a reality.

Hakeem is proud of his alma mater status and believes in the true value and importance education can have on an individual’s future endeavors.

“My joy knows no bound as I graduated with accolades winning the Professor Jelili Omotola Prize for the Best Graduating Student in Business Law from the Faculty of law as well as one of the top 2% graduating student from University of Lagos.”

Looking back on his time at the University of Lagos, Hakeem did not fail to mention his benefactors and pillars who supported him during his journey at the school.

“I am thankful to the support of my family, friends, Dynamite Empowerment Group, lecturers from the faculty of Management Sciences, UNILAG and everyone that contributed their quota in ensuring I achieve my dreams, I am eternally grateful. Special recognition to Busayo Onasanya, Ahmed Animashaun, Opeyemi Alonge , Idowu Adesoye (ACCA Dipl.,B.Sc HRM), Ayodele Oladipo, Omotoyosi Sanni, Boluwatife Olaoye, Gift Emihia and my wonderful motherlike sisters Balogun Aramide and Rukayat Akinbola for their immenseful support and being a pillar of comfort in my Unilag academic journey.

I am looking forward to the next chapter of my success and journey in life.

The UNILAG First Class graduate advice reflects his experience, “To someone out there reading this going through setbacks, my advice is that “no matter how the obstacles of life frustrates you, please do not give up on your goal, keep pushing”, remember your dream only dies when you give up, ‘delay is not denial’.”

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