
An exceptional Nigerian man named Damilare Haroun Adebakin has achieved an extraordinary academic feat by emerging as the overall best-graduating student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). He earned a perfect 5.00 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in Cell Biology and Genetics, a testament to his dedication and hard work.
Reflecting on the significant milestone, Adebakin expressed his gratitude and joy. “I feel very happy and elated to be graduating with this feat. I’m very grateful to God and glad for this opportunity. It’s a privilege to be one of the world’s best-graduating students with a perfect CGPA of 5.00”, he said.
Adebakin grew up in Abeokuta and attended Abeokuta Grammar School. “Transitioning from St Peter, a very good private school, to a public school was challenging. I wasn’t among the top in the class, then I began to ask myself, ‘Why am I not in the top bracket?’”
He used the moment to inspire his peers, urging them never to give up on their dreams regardless of their circumstances. “To my fellow youth, I would say never give up. Keep striving for success and find a supportive environment around you. Irrespective of your background or the environment you’ve grown in, irrespective of any limiting factors, you’ve got your own God-given talents. Believe in them, nurture them, and find the right mindset. Keep going, never give up, and put in the work. You’ll be successful”, he advised.
Adebakin credited much of his success to a combination of personal effort and divine guidance. “It’s not just about hard work,” he said. “It also takes prayers and a strong personal perspective. You have to put in the work, remain consistent, and stay focused on your goals.”
Haroun’s remarkable CGPA was just one part of his accomplishments. He actively engaged in extracurriculars, serving as captain of his class and departmental football teams, and excelled as a Confucius Institute student, achieving a perfect score in Chinese. Harun also won notable awards, including first place in the AI Policy Case Study Challenge, and co-founded TechBio to provide free data science training.
Haroun is an AI engineer committed to advancing artificial intelligence and healthcare through Cell Biology and Genetics. He is also launching a foundation offering Nigerian university students scholarships and free data science training.
A total of 561 final-year students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, will be graduating with first-class honours and distinctions in various disciplines at this year’s convocation ceremony (55th edition) recently. While the number is part of the total 16,409 students (for the 2023/2024 academic session) across levels—diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate studies—who made the graduation list, with others scoring lower grades.
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