From Academic Struggles to First-Class Honours: The Inspiring Journey of Umamah Tajudeen

 The story of Umamah Tajudeen, a recent graduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has become a beacon of resilience for Nigerian students, demonstrating that initial academic setbacks are often the prologue to monumental success.

Umamah’s path to excellence was far from linear. After facing significant hurdles with Mathematics and undergoing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) three times—alongside four different external examinations—she initially enrolled at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH). There, she laid the foundation for her comeback, graduating with Distinction in Marketing in 2019.

This performance secured her a Direct Entry admission into the Department of Insurance at UNILAG, where her academic trajectory reached historic heights:

Freshman Performance: Achieved a near-perfect 4.79 CGPA in her first year.

Final Standing: Graduated with a First-Class degree and a remarkable 4.90 CGPA.

Top Honours: Emerged as the Best Graduating Student in the Department of Insurance.

Beyond her cumulative grade point average, Umamah’s dedication earned her several prestigious accolades and scholarships, including:

Best Performing Student, Insurance Dept. (2023 & 2025)

Oyo State Scholarship Award

Maintaining a professional focus during her studies, Umamah is currently one examination away from becoming a Chartered Insurer. Her transition from struggling with entrance exams to leading a department at Nigeria’s "University of First Choice" serves as a powerful case study in the efficacy of persistence and consistency.