By Kazeem Jimoh

Miss Cecilia Isedoa Okojie, who studied Economics at the Augustine University, Ilara-Epe (AUI), Lagos State, has emerged as the overall best graduating student and valedictorian (Class of 2025/2026) with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.90/5.00, at the eight convocation ceremony of the institution.

The ceremony, held on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at the University’s convocation hall, also featured calls on the 194 graduates to uphold academic excellence, demonstrate strong moral values, and use their education to contribute to Nigeria’s development.

Of the 194 graduates, 24 earned first-class degrees; 88 obtained second-class upper division degrees; 73 graduated with second-class lower division degrees, eight received third-class honours, while one graduated with a pass.

The University management announced a N5 million reward for Okojie, a graduate of Economics, while each of the 24 first-class graduates would receive N1 million in recognition of their academic achievements.

Speaking in a brief exclusive interview, the beautiful Okojie, explained the factors that motivated her in having good grades, how she coped, what she did differently, among other issues.

Excerpt:

Q: Congratulations! On your emergence as the best graduating student. Did you see it coming?

A: Yes! When I came to school, 100 level, it was my goal and I told my mummy, Mrs. Mercy Okojie, as I was coming in 100 level, that I am going to be the best graduating student, and here I am.

Q: What did you do differently, from other students?

A: I did not really do anything different, I just read, honestly. I just read and I put in my best. Everybody even expected it before they brought out the news that I was already the best graduating student. So, it was expected. I would just say, I read more; I just read a lot and surrounded myself with people that were also serious minded too. So, my friends, they were also doing well too; academic wise. So, that is what helped me and whenever I am low, they would raise me up and whenever they are low, I helped them too.

Q: What are the factors that motivated you to having good grades?

A: The main factor was when my father died. Before then, I was a below-average student. But when he died, my mom did not allow us to see him because it was a cancer related illness that killed him and she said she did not want us to see him in that way, so, that it would not change the way we viewed him. But he said before he left, that he wanted us to excel in life, and from then on, I changed and throughout secondary school, I was ever first positioned and here in the university, the same thing.

Q: How did you unwind in the midst of being a bookworm?

A: I like having fun with my friends. We do karaoke. My roommates, we always had games night, once in a month. We play games, have movie nights. We come out to eat together. So, my friends are really the people that helped me and they will always say, come outside; come outside. It is not everything book, book, book! And I listen to them.

Q: So, you academic life did not affect your social life?

A: It did not affect my social life; it did not.

Q: Is there anybody in your department, maybe a lecturer, or a student, or another colleague that has been you motivation, or your mentor throughout your studies?

A: My former Head of Department (HOD), Dr. Mutiu Gbadesere Rasaki, he is the one that kept motivating me through it all. Department wise, it is my HOD.

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