24-Year-Old Nigerian Becomes Top Engineering Graduate with 4.79 CGPA, Honored for Innovation

Suleiman Sani Sulen-Jebu, a 24-year-old Nigerian, has emerged as the overall best graduating student from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, with an exceptional 4.79/5.00 CGPA in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. 

Suleiman’s journey into engineering began during his secondary school years, driven by a passion for creating and understanding electronic systems. 

Encouraged by his teachers and his father, he committed early to a career in engineering. 

However, his academic path was not without hardship. In his second year at university, Suleiman suffered the devastating loss of his father. 

The emotional toll caused his grades to slip, and he experienced his lowest GPA during that period. 

Despite the grief, he leaned on support from his family and strength from Islamic teachings to regain focus. As the only male child in his family, Suleiman felt a deep responsibility to succeed. 

Inspired by his high-achieving sisters, he created a strict academic routine—reviewing class materials daily and beginning exam preparation at the start of each semester. 

He was also known for his collaborative spirit, often tutoring peers and seeking help when needed. 

His efforts were recognized with multiple academic excellence awards from both his department and faculty. But Suleiman’s accomplishments extended beyond the classroom. 

He and his team developed a smart window system equipped with voice control and rain sensors, aimed at reducing reliance on imported technology. 

This project won first place in ATBU’s Innovation Challenge, earning accolades and a certificate of recognition. Looking ahead, Suleiman aspires to solve global problems through engineering. 

He hopes to focus on sustainability, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and smart infrastructure to build more efficient and eco-friendly systems. 

To students facing difficulties, he offers this advice: “It’s never too late to turn your story around. Stay focused, stay consistent, and keep pushing forward.”