UNILAG Graduate Hakeem Onitolo Shines in Academia and Football
A student athlete from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), recently earned first-class honors in Estate Management and Valuation, while also actively pursuing his passion for football. During his time at the University of Lagos, Hakeem received numerous accolades both academically and athletically. He was named the Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Environmental Science and the Department of Estate Management with a 4.83 CGPA.
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Hakeem Onitolo, a student athlete from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), recently earned first-class honors in Estate Management and Valuation, while also actively pursuing his passion for football. Born in Marina, Lagos State, Hakeem’s journey is characterized by dual excellence.
His outstanding academic performance and football prowess have distinguished him as a remarkable student-athlete. Despite the challenges of juggling demanding coursework and intensive training schedules, Hakeem’s determination and effective time management have been instrumental in his success.
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Hakeem reveals that he plays as a striker for Starbase Football Club in Ogudu, Lagos. His early ambition to excel in both academics and sports propelled him to achieve his goals. In his words, “I always knew I wanted to play football from an early age, and before I got into university, I knew I wanted to graduate with a first class. So what I felt didn’t matter. I simply did what was needed to be done.”
During his time at the University of Lagos, Hakeem received numerous accolades both academically and athletically. He was named the Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Environmental Science and the Department of Estate Management with a 4.83 CGPA. On the football field, he earned awards such as the FESSA Dean’s Cup (highest goal scorer), EMSA HOD Cup, and EMSA Ballon D’or. Hakeem’s journey was not without obstacles.
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Speaking on his challenges, he disclosed that his family initially resisted his football aspirations, “It was a tussle between my mum and I, but I didn’t listen. Coaches came to my mum to speak to her to allow me to play, but she didn’t budge. After a while, she realized it was either she allowed me to pursue my dreams, or she’d risk losing her son. It got a bit easier after that,” he recounted.
Hakeem’s dreams go beyond his current accomplishments, he aspires to play for Real Madrid and the Super Eagles of Nigeria
Hakeem remains committed to his team and driven for success as he looks to the future, aiming to inspire and help others through his professional football career. “My dream is to play for Real Madrid. I’ve always said it. They’re an institute that represents footballing excellence. I believe I am a very talented player and deserving of a career in sports.
"A professional football career will allow me to inspire and help others on a larger scale, and that includes playing for Nigeria. I know I will be a great footballer, but whether or not I will play for Madrid depends on the tiny margins of life and destiny", he added.
