Aishat Dauda, a brilliant and ambitious young lady, has made headlines with her impressive academic achievements. At just 19 years old, she graduated with first-class honors from Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), earning a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.87.
What’s even more remarkable about Aishat’s story is that she wrote her Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam at the tender age of 14 and gained admission to OOU at 15. Her academic journey is a testament to her dedication, hard work, and passion for learning.
Aishat’s educational journey began at Jomchin Nursery and Primary School, where she attended primary school. She then moved to Heyward Gate Montessori School, where she completed her primary education. At just 9 years old, she passed the common entrance exam to Eva Adelaja Grammar School, where she completed both her junior and senior secondary education, finishing at age 14.
When asked about her experience starting university at a young age, Aishat said, “Starting university at a young age didn’t have a significant impact on my studies. To me, age was just a number; my focus was on achieving my academic goals. I prioritized my objectives and worked diligently to attain them, regardless of my age.”
Aishat’s passion for economics began in secondary school, and she chose to study the subject at OOU due to her desire to understand and address socio-economic issues in Africa. “My love for economics in secondary school sparked my interest in the course,” she said. “I was also deeply concerned about the socio-economic issues plaguing Africa, past and present. I felt that studying economic policy could equip me to contribute to solutions.”
So, what’s the secret to Aishat’s academic success? According to her, it’s all about having the right mindset and surrounding yourself with the right people. “Several factors contributed to my academic success,” she said. “I adopted a growth mindset, believing my abilities could be developed, and worked on enhancing my research skills. A ‘can-do’ mentality and self-awareness helped me stay focused and truthful about areas needing improvement.”
Aishat’s future plans are just as impressive as her academic achievements. She hopes to become an international financial economist, making a global impact. “My passion is to devise policies that promote inclusive growth, improve living standards, and reduce reliance on foreign aid,” she said. “I intend to take my dreams beyond Nigeria and Africa. My ultimate goal is to become an international financial economist, making a global impact.”
