Meet Ogbomoso-born Nasrat Adetunji, who bagged First Class in MLS at ABU

Meet Ogbomoso-born Nasrat Adetunji, who bagged First Class in MLS at ABU

Yinka ADETUNJI

The prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna state, January 31, held its 45^th Convocation ceremony in an ambience of grandeur at the famous Mamman Kontagora Square, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.

27,370 graduands drawn from 110 academic departments across 18 faculties were conferred with Degrees and Diplomas of which a total of 323 bagged First Class Honours, 4,632 Second Class Upper Division, and 10,834 Second Class Lower Division. The number also comprised 2,559 Third Class, 47 Pass, and 424 Unclassified Degrees from the College of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

In addition, a total of 610 graduands received Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, 6,923 Master’s degrees, 61 Master of Philosophy, and 957 Postgraduate Diplomas (PGD).

The graduands, according to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, had satisfied the academic requirements prescribed by the Senate of the university.

Nasrat Adetunji, from Fedegbo compound, Isale-Afon, Ogbomoso, Oyo state, was one of the 323 highest performers with First Class Honours, which she notched in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS), a very demanding course. Her feat no doubt stands as both personal triumph and community pride.

Born to Mr. Adetunji Abdulyekeen (Alhuda), she has made her family proud and her success is being celebrated not only within her immediate family but across Ogbomoso, where her achievement is regarded as a moment of honour and inspiration.

She has carved her name into academic distinction through years of relentless effort and sacrifice bearing in mind especially that MLS at ABU Zaria is a programme embedded in demanding structure, intensive laboratory sessions, rigorous examinations, and strict professional standards. “Earning a First Class in such a programme requires more than intelligence, it demands resilience, discipline, and extraordinary commitment,” a commentator noted.

For Nasrat, the journey was not handed to her, she earned it through dint of hard work. Her academic foundation began at the School of Basic and Remedial Studies (SBRS), where she proved early that excellence was not accidental. Those close to her recall nights of little sleep and countless hours buried in textbooks. While others rested, she read. While others paused, she pressed forward.

From the remedial classrooms to the demanding laboratories of ABU, her story has been one of persistence. The pressure of professional health science training did not weaken her resolve. Instead, it refined it.

Beyond her academic performance, Nasrat also demonstrated leadership and character. She served as the Deputy Class Representative of the “Phoenix Class” and was honoured with an Award of Excellence, a recognition bestowed upon her for outstanding commitment, performance, and contribution to her class.

Her recent induction into the Medical Laboratory Science profession marks the beginning of a promising career in healthcare and diagnostics. And beyond the induction certificate lies a deeper story of faith, grit, and unshakable focus.

Beyond the degree, her First Class distinction stands as a validation of what determination, faith, and hard work can achieve. For Ogbomoso, for her family, and for aspiring students who dare to dream, Nasrat Adetunji’s story serves as a powerful reminder that excellence is attainable, even when the road is tough.

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has once again produced a scholar whose achievement speaks not only of academic strength but of leadership and character.

Nasrat stood tall that day sharing the roll of highest honour with the likes of Ayodele Joseph Babalola of the Department of Computer Science who emerged as the ‘University Overall Best Graduating Student’ with 4.92 CGPA (winning N10m prize); as well as with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, GCON, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), who was conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Science degree Honoris Causa; among others.

Congratulations to her for making her hometown proud.