Grace Oziohu Audu, a Nigerian lady, has been celebrated after graduating as the best student in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT). She shared her inspiring academic journey, revealing that she wrote the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) four times and was denied admission three times before finally gaining entry.
From Rejection to Top of the Class
On her LinkedIn page, Audu detailed her path to success. She wrote: "Best Graduating Student, Department of Computer Science, University of Port Harcourt. If you told me this would be my reality 5 years ago, I wouldn't have believed you. My journey started with rejection. I wrote JAMB 4 times. Four years of trying, failing, waiting, and refusing to give up before I finally walked through the gates of UNIPORT. I made a silent, fierce promise to myself: Whatsoever my hands findeth to do, I will do it with all my might!"
Her story resonated with many on social media, who congratulated her on her achievement. Audu emphasized that her determination and faith carried her through the challenges.
Scholarship and Leadership
During her 300 level, Audu was awarded a scholarship by the WAAW Foundation, which also sponsored her to Ghana for an intensive week-long training for African Girls in STEM. She balanced her academics with numerous leadership roles, including serving as Assistant Secretary General and later Secretary General of the Nigerian Association of Computing Students (NACOS), Chapter Lead for WAAW Foundation UNIPORT Chapter, and Special Duties Officer for the Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NWIT), Rivers State Chapter.
She also led faith-based initiatives, serving as Gospel Publication Team Lead and Church Secretary in her campus fellowship, and pioneered the 'CSC Christian Family' in her department, hosting weekly Bible studies, tutorials, prayer sessions, and academic seminars.
Work Experience and Resilience
Audu balanced her studies with industry experience, working with a tech startup, managing social media for various companies, and freelancing as a content creator. She admitted that the journey was overwhelming at times, with days of burnout and frustration. However, she learned that leadership requires showing up even when tired.
Reflecting on her journey, she said: "Today, I look back at that 4-time JAMB candidate and smile. Not only did I finish at the very top of my class, my university journey built me in ways words cannot fully capture. It proved to me that delay is never denial, and that leadership is about building a longer table, not a higher chair."
Related Stories of Perseverance
In a related story, the best graduating student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) shared how he was rejected by the University of Ibadan, while another graduate staged a one-man protest over unemployment. Similarly, the Lagos State University (LASU) best graduating student opened up about her admission experience in an interview with Legit.ng, sharing her struggles and future goals.
Grace Oziohu Audu's story serves as an inspiration to many Nigerian youths facing admission challenges, demonstrating that persistence and hard work can lead to remarkable success.
