From Firewood to First Class, Uthman Oloyede’s Journey to a 4.98 CGPA Against All Odds

Against a backdrop of financial hardship and repeated setbacks, Uthman Oloyede has risen to national admiration by graduating with an astonishing 4.98 CGPA in Physics with Electronics from Abiola Ajimobi Technical University (Tech-U), making him the top graduating student of the 2024 academic year. Uthman’s inspiring story is one of resilience and determination. 

Born to a secondary school teacher and a mother who sold firewood, he defied the odds stacked against him, proving that humble beginnings are no barrier to excellence. 

“I come from a family of a committed teacher and a diligent woman who sold firewood. Today, I stand here to prove that no background is too modest to achieve greatness,” he declared in his valedictory speech. 

His road to university was anything but easy—he took the UTME five times before gaining admission. A pivotal scholarship from Lagelu Local Government eventually made his academic dreams possible. 

He also credited the Oyo State Government for supporting underprivileged students like him. Throughout his university years, Uthman maintained near-perfect grades, scoring a 5.0 CGPA in six out of eight semesters. 

Beyond academics, he served as Ameer and Chairman of the Education Committee in the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), which he said strengthened his leadership and time management skills. 

His academic brilliance earned him multiple scholarships, including the Federal Government Scholarship Award, the MTN Foundation Scholarship, and the Oyo State Bursary—all of which eased the financial burden on his family. 

Now setting his sights on postgraduate studies, Uthman is determined to contribute to research and innovation in Nigeria, inspiring countless others with a simple truth: no dream is too distant, no challenge too great.