Victoria Oreoluwa Olanrewaju emerged as the best graduating student in the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Redeemer’s University, Ede, during the 2026 convocation held at the university’s main hall recently. The Biological Sciences graduate spoke with Jide Jegede shortly after the event. Excerpts:
How does it feel being the best graduating student in your faculty?
I feel fulfilled to make my parents, my siblings, and my lecturers, who have invested so much in me, proud. This is especially true because our lecturers in my department (Biological Sciences) are deeply committed to developing their students. I don’t know of other departments, but ours here are always supportive.
Was coming first your original goal when you were coming into the university?
Not really. Actually, before I came here, I wanted to study Medicine at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife. I eventually got admission to study Microbiology. I spent one year. At a point in the course of the programme, the lecturers went on strike, and that lasted for about eight months. It was during the strike that my parents suggested that I should go to a private university where there won’t be strikes and other forms of time wasting. I then wrote another JAMB that got me admission to study Biological Sciences at Redeemer’s University. It was when I got to this university that I realised that the fees were not as expensive as we thought. But from day one, I made up my mind that I was going to give my all to ensure that I excel in my studies. I believe that is the only way to justify the huge amount of money being committed to my education. Luckily, when I saw my first results, I was very surprised that I could perform so well. I then encouraged myself that with consistency and more dedication I could still do better. That was how I ended up here
What would you consider as the low point in your academic pursuit here? Was there a moment you felt like giving up?
My low point came during the first semester of my 300 level. My dad fell very sick and had to undergo surgery. He was in the hospital while I was in school. Every time I got a call from home, I got scared that it would be bad news. It was at a time when we were writing tests. I found it very tough, and that affected my performance in one of the tests. So my level advisor and one of my lecturers, who eventually became my supervisor, called me to talk to me. They observed that the test result was unusual for me. They asked me what the issue was. When I told them, they encouraged me to concentrate on my studies so that I could make them happy if I was able to do well. They advised that I should not allow what was going on at the home front to affect my academic pursuit.
How much influence do family ties have on your studies?
My parents and my siblings, especially my elder brother, believe so much in me. My elder brother is a medical doctor. I wanted to study medicine like him. They have always been supportive right from when I was still trying to get admission to study Medicine. I did get admission for medical studies eventually, but they were always telling me not to worry. They told me not to be sad about my inability to gain admission to study medicine.
Before my admission at Redeemer’s University, my father had retired from service. It was my brother who shouldered all the responsibility till I completed the programme. So my family has always been very supportive of me, and I’m very grateful to God for them.
What impact did the settings here have on you and your studies? How do you describe your experience at Redeemer’s University?
As someone who had been to a Federal University (OAU) before coming here, I would say that the environment was very conducive. When I came here, a lot of things were surprising to me. At OAU, not many of our lecturers were approachable. Unlike here, where students can just walk up to the lecturers to talk to them, and they are always ready and willing to listen and assist. The lecturers are much more approachable than I experienced at Ife.
The system here favors the students more. The lecturers and other faculty staff are approachable. They are always willing to help you and put you through and explain things that you don’t understand. So, the environment is also conducive because we are inside school. Basically, you just have to focus on your academics. There are not as many distractions as there are in other schools. So I would say the system is very good and conducive for anybody who just focuses and puts their mind to it.
How do you manage your academic and social life?
My social life is basically around church activities. I was a Chapel worker in Bible study and departments. The way I manage this is that, firstly, at the beginning of every semester, I used to write my grade and what I aimed to score. I had it written on the wall of my room. So, anytime I go out for church or academic activities, when I come back to the room, I see it. Even when I am tired, I remind myself: This is the grade I want to make. By that, I ensure that I read, no matter how little, even when I am tired. Weekends were usually filled with chapel workers’ meetings and Bible study. So I planned my reading during the week – between classes or during break time. It was mainly about planning. Also, I really made use of the library. I found it easy to read in the library. Once I entered the library, I could stay for hours. I would just say it is about planning.
That means you didn’t have any romance?
No, not at all. I was not even thinking about it.
Where do you see yourself in the next five to ten years?
In the next five to ten years, I hope to have my PhD. I want to pursue Microbiology and an academic career.
Would you want to return to academia and eventually become a professor?
Yes. That’s my dream.
