A Journey of Excellence: David Ajayi’s Story
David Ajayi, a 24-year-old graduate from the Civil Engineering Department at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, has made history as the first overall best graduating student. His journey is a testament to perseverance, discipline, and faith.
Early Life and Education
Ajayi began his academic journey at Children’s Knowledge School, where he was initially a slow learner. However, with the support of dedicated teachers who provided extra lessons, he caught up in Primary Five and steadily improved. He then attended Iganmode Grammar School in Ota, Ogun State, where he faced challenges but developed strong leadership skills, eventually becoming Head Boy. In 2018, he left Iganmode Grammar School and was admitted into Olabisi Onabanjo University in 2020.
Achieving Academic Excellence
Being the overall best graduating student among 5,808 graduates and the first from the Civil Engineering Department is an honor that Ajayi does not take lightly. It is both a responsibility and a source of excitement, as it puts his department and faculty on the map. Beyond personal achievement, he is grateful for the journey, the lessons, and the people who supported him along the way. This accomplishment reassures him that excellence is possible regardless of one’s background.
Setting Goals and Staying Focused
At the beginning of his undergraduate journey, Ajayi’s goal was simply to avoid having a carryover. He did not think about becoming the overall best student. However, he took his studies seriously from day one, reading consistently and preparing thoroughly. After achieving a CGPA of 4.90 in his first semester, he realized that extraordinary results were possible. From then on, he aimed for a 5.0 GPA every semester and sustained it.
Principles Behind Success
Ajayi attributes his success to discovering what worked for him and sticking to it. He created a personal timetable and followed it with discipline. He studied himself and built a system around his strengths, such as being most productive at night. He revised regularly, broke down complex topics, and focused on deep understanding rather than surface reading. Most importantly, he put God first in everything, balancing structured discipline with spiritual grounding.
Sacrifices Made
To achieve this level of excellence, Ajayi had to sacrifice comfort and convenience. There were many nights when others were resting or socializing, and he was studying. He gave up excessive outings, unnecessary distractions, and sometimes even sleep, especially during critical academic periods. He also sacrificed immediate gratification, choosing discipline over pleasure repeatedly.
Handling Distractions
To handle social media, Ajayi deletes all apps like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, leaving only WhatsApp. He uses two WhatsApp accounts: one general and one private line for departmental and faculty groups. As for friends, he is intentional about whom he spends time with, setting clear boundaries and surrounding himself with people who add to his growth.
Challenging Times
One of the most challenging times was his final semester, when his project topics were changed three times, and he faced immense pressure to maintain his grades. Seeing his CGPA drop slightly was discouraging, but he persevered. Another challenging period was in the 200 level when he struggled financially. He applied for scholarships, including the MTN Scholarship, Federal Government Scholarship, ISEF Scholarship, and BET9JA Foundation Scholarship, which helped sustain him through his academic journey.
Overcoming Doubt
There was a moment in his final semester when he almost gave up. However, by God’s grace, he still emerged as the overall best graduating student. What kept him going was a burning desire to prove something to himself, fueled by past setbacks and the unwavering support of his mother.
The Influence of Faith
A Facebook video where Ajayi talked about the influence of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, highlights the power of prayer and faith. During a retreat in 2021, Pastor Adeboye declared that students would see their CGPA rise, which became a turning point in Ajayi’s academic journey.
Future Plans
Ajayi’s next focus is to fulfill his purpose and walk fully in God’s will. He wants to keep growing, learning, and making a meaningful impact on others by mentoring students, connecting them to scholarships, and empowering them to achieve excellence. Through the Newton Scholarship Nexus, he helps students access scholarship opportunities and resources.
Advice to Students
Ajayi advises students to keep dreaming and working towards their goals. There is no limit to what they can achieve if they remain focused and persistent. Every effort counts, and dreams are valid. He encourages every student to believe in themselves and pursue excellence relentlessly.
