David Ajayi, the overall best graduating student from the Civil Engineering Department of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, has shared the inspiring story of how resilience and determination helped him overcome repeated setbacks to achieve academic excellence.
In an interview with PUNCH on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Ajayi recounted the challenges he faced before gaining admission into the university. He said his journey was marked by several disappointments, including writing the WAEC examination three times before he finally passed. He explained that his first attempt at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination yielded a score of 199, which was not sufficient to secure admission. Determined not to give up, he sat for the exam again and scored 257, a result that eventually opened the door for him to study Civil Engineering.
Ajayi said what kept him going was a burning desire to prove something to himself. He explained that he had already experienced failure and was determined to change his narrative. According to him, the drive to overcome past setbacks and show that he could achieve something great became the motivation behind every effort he made. He added that this inner fire pushed him to work harder, stay focused, and ultimately rise to the top of his class.
He said, “I wrote the WAEC three times before I passed. My first JAMB score was 199. I sat for it again and scored 257 to gain admission, but I carried with me a determination to change my narrative and show myself that I could achieve something great.”