For the first time since its founding in 1984, Lagos State University (LASU) has produced its first First-Class Honours graduate in History and International Studies, Temitope Ayeobasa.
Professor Adeyeri Olusegun, Head of the Department of History and International Studies, revealed in an interview with Vanguard that 21-year-old Ayeobasa’s results were approved by the Senate early on Friday, October 18, 2024.
According to Prof. Olusegun, this achievement is a milestone for the department. Ayeobasa has demonstrated resilience from her first year. She truly deserves this honor. It’s the first of its kind since the school’s inception in 1984,” he stated.
When discussing the possibility of retaining her, Prof. Adeyeri mentioned, “She’s an adult; whether she wants to be retained is her decision. But I’m confident that wherever she goes, she will need a good mentor to help her progress.”
Reflecting on her success, Ayeobasa noted that she initially intended to study law but developed a passion for history over time. “I finished secondary school in 2020, and I’m 21 years old. I never intended to study history initially, but due to certain circumstances, I had to start it temporarily while waiting to transfer to law. Over time, I fell in love with it and decided to continue,” she explained.
Initially unsure about achieving a First Class since studying history wasn’t her original plan, Ayeobasa committed to the mantra: “Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well,” and dedicated herself fully to her studies.
Discussing the challenges she faced, she noted, “Most aspects of the department came easily to me, but my greatest challenge was managing multiple exams on the same day. I’m also not fond of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. classes, which was another challenge.”
“I believe passion is crucial for success, and dedicating yourself entirely to it. I found reading enjoyable, which made it easier. Besides, I maintained personal notes separate from those provided by lecturers.
In my early years (100 and 200 level), I started studying weeks before exams, which eased the pressure. The truth is, things don’t get easier; we simply become smarter. I also set a strong foundation in my early years regarding my CGPA. As we progressed and challenges increased, I relied on that foundation.”
“Finally, I made the right friends. My friends are incredibly supportive of my goals. We work towards the same objectives and motivate each other to excel. We also engage in healthy academic competition each semester to see who performs best. They significantly contributed to my achievement of this milestone.”