UNILAG Best Friends Triumph Over Adversity, Achieve First-Class Degrees and International Careers
In an inspiring tale of perseverance and friendship, two best friends who studied Computer Engineering at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have graduated with First Class honours and secured international job offers before even completing their studies. Their journey, marked by significant hardships and relentless effort, has captivated online audiences, showcasing the power of dedication and mutual support in achieving academic and professional excellence.
Academic Excellence and Professional Milestones
Kuye Damilola, one of the graduates, shared photos and details of their remarkable path from undergraduate days to graduation. According to his account, both friends not only earned First Class degrees but also distinguished themselves as top performers in their department. Damilola emerged as the Best Graduating Student (BGS) of the Computer Engineering department, while his friend was recognized as the Best Graduating Male Student. Reflecting on their achievements, Damilola expressed gratitude, stating, "Today, we are both killing it. We both graduated with First Class... We got international job offers before we graduated. Glory be to God."
A Journey of Hustle and Friendship
The friends' story dates back to their 200-level days, when they faced numerous challenges together. Damilola described his friend Dami as his closest companion during their university years, recalling how they lived together in the hostel and worked tirelessly to pursue academic success. "Dami was my closest friend in school. This was 200L, we were hustling like mad then," he wrote. "We stayed together in the hostel, freelancing tutorials, worked hard, chased First Class, squatting everywhere, pushing boundaries together." Their bond and shared struggles were pivotal in navigating the difficulties of university life.
Overcoming Financial Hardships
In a related narrative, Damilola also recounted the severe financial obstacles he overcame to earn his First Class degree. After gaining admission to UNILAG, he faced persistent financial challenges throughout his studies. To sustain himself, he took on multiple jobs, including private tutoring and playing piano at events, leveraging his skills to make ends meet. "I struggled financially and took on private tutoring and piano gigs outside school to keep up, working with the skill I had at the time," he explained. Additionally, he never secured a permanent bedspace from his first to final year, often squatting with friends and sleeping on floors, chairs, and concrete surfaces, highlighting the extent of his resilience.
Online Reactions and Broader Inspirations
The post sharing their success has garnered widespread admiration online, with many users congratulating the duo. Comments such as "Brotherhood is proud of you guys. Congratulations" and "This is beautiful. Congratulations" flooded social media, reflecting the inspirational impact of their story. This achievement aligns with other recent academic successes in Nigeria, such as a Covenant University economics graduate who achieved a 4.94 CGPA and a University of Ibadan law student who overcame multiple setbacks to earn a First Class degree, underscoring a trend of resilience in Nigerian higher education.
Ultimately, the story of these UNILAG friends serves as a powerful reminder that with hard work, friendship, and determination, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome to achieve remarkable success in both academia and the global job market.
