Naheemah Tijani is the overall best graduating student for the 2020/2021 academic session at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. She graduated with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.90 out of a possible 5.00. She spoke with Edugist on her goals within the realm of Nutrition and Dietetics, and how she plans to make a meaningful impact on public health and nutritional well-being. Excerpts.
Please share with Edugist, a little about yourself and your background.
My name is Naheemah Oluwatoyin Tijani. I am the overall best graduating student for the 2020/2021 academic session at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. I am from a low-income family who resides in Egbeda, Lagos. I am from a polygamous family and I am the only daughter of the three children given birth to by my mother.
Can you describe your academic journey and the key experiences that contributed to your success as the overall best graduating student at FUNAAB?
My academic journey started at Christlead Nursery and Primary School in Lagos where I obtained my first school leaving certificate. I then proceeded to Unique Progressive College located at Sango, Ogun state where I had my secondary school certificate examination and came out in flying colours. I took my first Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in 2015 and obtained a post UTME form for University of Ibadan to study nursing as well as Yaba College of Technology to study science laboratory technology.
Unfortunately, I didn’t meet up with the cutoff for both institutions. Then, the journey to Yabatech began as I obtained a change of course form to study Nutrition and Dietetics. I obtained my National Diploma as one of the best graduating students of the department with a CGPA of 3.79/4.00. Afterwards, I gained admission into Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta through direct entry.
The key experiences that serve as contributing factors to my academic success include time management, setting achievable goals, good study habits, avoiding procrastination, learning to face my challenges and not letting them weigh me down.
What motivated you to pursue a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, and how do you envision applying your knowledge in real-world scenarios?
My motivation to study Nutrition and Dietetics began when I didn’t meet up with the cutoff for nursing at the University of Ibadan and I didn’t have interest in science laboratory technology that I chose for Yabatech, it was during this period that I received an information that a new course “Nutrition and Dietetics” had been introduced to the school. Then, I did my research about the course and realised it is not about cooking but a course related to wellbeing and health status of individuals and it’s also a paramedical course. I have since developed a passion for the course and will apply my knowledge of nutrition in real-life scenarios through giving nutrition education and counselling to the populace thereby creating more awareness on nutrition and its effect on individual’s health.
I intend to organise nutrition programmes for adolescent girls, nursing and pregnant women because the life of many generations depends on them. I will also engage in seminars and workshops in nutrition in order to broaden my knowledge and prepare me for the outside world.
As the top graduate, what challenges did you encounter in your academic journey, and how did you overcome them?
One of the challenges I encountered during my academic years was balancing marriage, motherhood and education. But I was able to overcome them due to my determination to be among the top five in the department. I also indulged in proper use of time.
The other challenge was regarding borrowed courses especially in 200 level (CHM 222, STS 201 and CSC). Most times I attended those classes and I didn’t even understand what the lecturer was saying. I didn’t relent. Whenever I got home I would refer to lecture notes. I also attended tutorials both private and general ones. And to God be the glory, today it became a success story. One thing I have learnt so far is that “the road to success is filled with obstacles and challenges, face it and you will triumph”.
What strategies did you employ to maintain a high level of academic excellence throughout your time at FUNAAB, and how can these strategies benefit other students aiming for similar achievements?
To achieve similar achievements, here are my advice:
i) Discover yourself and what works best for you: Myself as an example, I am not good at crash reading or reading overnight (I love sleeping). I read my books in bits after each lecture day and I rounded them up by weekend. On Saturdays and Sundays, after house chores, I stacked all my lecture notes and picked one after the other till I was done.
ii) Avoid procrastination: Do the right thing at the right time, do not wait till the deadline before completing assignments.
iii) Impact knowledge in others: No matter how inconvenient it was for me, I didn’t stop helping my fellow mates with courses in which they encountered difficulties. This also helped me to better understand the courses.
iv) Create time for leisure: There is a saying, “all work, no play makes jack a dull boy”. I didn’t read 24/7. I created time to relax my brain once I noticed my brain was saturated.
What do you enjoy most about your education?
I enjoyed the gift of good people around me (Folashade, Abdul Azeez, Abiola, Mummy Nathaniel, Lawluq, Joel, Ayo Miracle and others) just to mention a few.
Do you have any role models you look up to in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics?
Prof. W.A.O Afolabi, the Dean of the College of Food Sciences & Human Ecology at FUNAAB, and also the president of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria. He was my project supervisor while I was an undergraduate. I usually look up to him as a father and role model. I hope and pray to reach his potential one day.
Share your thoughts about the culture of excellence, or the lack thereof, among Nigerian graduates.
Excellence can be defined as being extremely good at something. It’s not about doing something right, but doing it in an exceptional way. I believe that as graduates, Nigerians cannot reach its potential without forging a culture of excellence.
How has the structure of your home and family dynamics influenced your success?
Like I said earlier, the kind of family I come from has had a great impact on my academic success. There was nobody except God and my family and I promised to make them proud. Today, I am really proud of myself as God Almighty crowned my efforts with success.
Who are specific persons whose contribution you can’t forget in your first-class feat?
My elder brother, Tijani Ibrahim who took up the responsibility of a father right from ND till date. My mother, an epitome of motherhood, stood firmly by me throughout the journey. My husband, Oguntola Olanrewaju is indeed a good husband and father. He was there morally, physically, financially and emotionally especially during my down times in school. My special friend, Lawal Abdul Azeez who stood by me during the dark and happy days. Also my bestie, Folashade who took up the responsibility of taking care of me during pregnancy even when I resumed back to school with a baby, she was always there for me. My other friends, Abiola, Mummy Nathaniel, Lawluq, Joel, Ayomiracle, Lydia and my other coursemates, thank you all for your unwavering support and love.
After your bachelor’s degree, what next?
After BSc, the next step, God willing, is to pursue graduate programmes outside the country. I would love to acquire more knowledge and expertise in the field of nutrition. And also to prove to the outside world that Nigerians are full of intellectuals.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals within the realm of Nutrition and Dietetics, and how do you plan to make a meaningful impact on public health and nutritional well-being?
I aspire to gain more expertise and knowledge in the field of Nutrition both within and outside the country. I wish to specialise in maternal and child nutrition because I love children a lot and understand the importance of girl-child nutrition. I also aspire to set up a nutrition and fitness centre where clients can walk in and see a Nutrition consultant/Dietitians. I will indulge in sensitisation and education of the populace on nutrition-related issues and to solve them. I will also join hands with public health nutritionists and other public health workers to fight malnutrition at individual, household and national level. I will serve as a volunteer in various nutrition programmes to improve public health. And there are also lots more to unfold, may God help me.
