Hailing from Ekiti State and raised between Lagos and Ondo, Okikiola emerged as a standout figure in his cohort, graduating from LASU’s Faculty of Communication & Media Studies with an impressive 4.61 CGPA. His academic prowess is matched only by his passion for marketing and communications, where he excels as a strategist with a keen interest in digital marketing and brand development.
As he reflects on his journey, Okikiola discusses his aspirations to pursue further studies, aiming for a master’s and eventually a PhD, while also planning to leverage his interdisciplinary background to innovate within the realms of marketing and corporate communications. His story is a testament to resilience, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in academia and professional growth. In this exclusive interview with Edugist, Okikiola Adewusi shares a compelling narrative of his journey through undergraduate studies at Lagos State University (LASU). Excerpts
Please provide Edugist with a brief introduction about yourself and your background.
I am Okikiola Adewusi by name, I hail from Ekiti State but have lived most of my life in Lagos, spent a few times in Ondo State. I am from a polygamous family, my father married two wives, however, I am the firstborn of both father and mother. Other than the fact that I recently graduated from LASU, Faculty of Communication & Media Studies to be precise, I am a marketing and communications specialist, I love marketing & corporate communications a lot, I also am a digital marketing strategist and you know that cuts across, social media marketing, management, community management, email marketing and the rest, I love football. What inspired you to pursue a degree in mass communication?
Just like every other art student, law has always been the pursuit, maybe it was back then the pursuit of being a lawyer, the pride attached to being called a barrister funny, isn’t it? I left secondary school in 2013, and didn’t write jamb until 2017 Guess then I was blinded by the fact that I only wanted law, but darn it, I had a low score at first shot, I scored 212 and wanted law, I really was deceiving, myself then, but preparing for exams wasn’t a big deal. All the Jamb exams I had to take, I prepared for them within 3 days of the exam, first shot, 212, the second third shot was 237.
While I was preparing for university, I understood a lot about communication and interpersonal relationships. I discovered I know how to articulate words to the extent that when I speak, people passionately listen to me without command. Isn’t that loving? I looked at Law and it didn’t go beyond “my lord if I may, may I, “I stand before this very court. ” that wasn’t my interest, I wanted to connect with people more, have conversation, influence people, and cause them to make a change, There is this burning desire to implement a change in people, and that can be achieved through communication and not the black and white usual law.
So in 2019, I was given the privilege to choose a course, and with hesitation, I chose Mass Communication, and to date, I am glad I did. A course I will always recommend, not because of the university curriculum but because of what is to learn outside the university walls that fits within the course itself.
Can you describe your undergraduate experience?
My undergraduate days were a tussle of war, I had so much to deal with, especially envy and jealousy from people who I believe think I am better than them, and for whatever reason, I do not care. After all, I own my life, and I must not forget some not so worthy competitive situations that so many positioned me when I am not and some unnecessary backlash.
I was always the cool guy, with a big reputation that must not stain, a name to keep, and integrity to protect. But thank God, things didn’t get worse.
While I might have a few bad memories of school, I believe the good ones gave me a purpose in life. The days I started as a fresher, running from classes to classes, then ending up with no class because the class ss abruptly ended—what a time it has been .
School is fun, but examinations spoil it. Do n’t mind its coming from a scholar.
My experience revolved around so many things, as you know, holding tutorials from time to time, with my course mates and other levels, partaking in workshops and seminars, playing football, leading teams to channel student growth, helping people, and standing as a go-to resource for any situation as it concerns academics.
One shocking thing is that all through my days, I was consistently a tutor across the faculty. You know we have to read a night before exams, and trust me, when I prepare for exams, I do not prepare so I can pass, I most of the time prepare so my course mates and everyone else can pass and I thank God, Most of the time when we all see our results, the least has always been a 4 though some few exceptions of 3 but having a 5 is always massive and that’s my joy as an undergraduate.
While other students read for themselves alone, I read for 70 – 200 heads because one way or another I am going to teach them and surprisingly, not just my level.
I started something in my 200 level called Renowned Tutor Academy, it was just a name I gave myself as part of the brand, as at my 200 level, I began branding my name in league with academics and that group had over 300+ students.
Oh,I should also add that at midnight when reading, I will pick up my phone and begin to call my course mates one after the other to ensure none of them are sleeping when they should be reading.
And when it comes to night reading, a series of marathon reading and tutorials are what we do at FSS, Old Soc, and Eco library mostly.
Additionally, it was fun, got to meet people, earned respect, people loved me for what I do, in my 100 level, I could easily do anything but from my 200 level, I started being careful of what I say, what I do, where I find myself, what I wear and the people I move with, cause I became a mentor to so many knowingly and unknowingly and that has helped me shape a better future.
Being an undergraduate opened my eyes to so many opportunities, I wanted more, to do more and show myself more. I began to pursue a career path, I can tell you that as at 200 level, I was already shooting at jobs, going for interview, what caused it, university, was it the curriculum of course not may be in my 400 level few began to look like it however it was because of the strategic people I was privileged to meet, people who are like minded, who yearn for growth and we all began to develop together. I knew what I wanted before admission, however entering into LASU gave it a better shape.
So I became an instrument of change, carrying everybody along, academically and skill wise, and it brought a lot of hatred but those who were ready, we moved a lot quite well. I didn’t really have any personal close circle but I was a friend to everyone.
And while studying, I was working too, I would write assignments and other stuff and make money from it. I do not need to stress it, everyone will of course want a scholar to write their assignment for them so it was easy.
Were there any courses that you found especially difficult?
All through my days, I can’t say I encountered a difficult course, few courses where I didn’t do as expected cause I tell people, if I fail a course I have a 4, if I do not fail I have a 5. I could easily trace the cause of that low performance. It happened a few times but trust me, all courses, I taught my course mates off hand even mathematics in 100 level.
Did you frequently use the library for studying?
I visited the library once or twice, not really a fan of reading in the library. I prefer either reading in my own space or reading where it is a bit inconvenient. The consciousness of the inconvenience will make me read tightly. Weird but true.
What significant challenges did you face during your studies?
Ommmoooooo, quite a lot, I am self financed, all through my academic journey, well I wanted cause I want my mum to focus on my junior siblings and it has just been me, tuition fee and other stuff. Sometimes I will want to brood over it but this energy in me will disallow it immediately.
People also fell in my hand big time, people who I cared for didn’t hesitate to embarrass me when they had the opportunity, and those whom I expressed genuine feelings for moved closed with and ended up saying “am I the only one.”
Then issues from family too also affected at some point, being the first born there were few places I had to step up but I was able to move beyond all these.
How does it feel to graduate with 4.61 CGPA?
It feels so exciting, God did it, He alone deserves the praise that, I wish I could have done better, as at my 300 level, I had a CGPA of 4.7+ and I intend that yeah that shouldn’t be bad to graduate with, however 400 level became my nightmare, I felt it was the time to rest a bit and the little rest caused a painful setback.
Though my name is among the top 2 outstanding students, however I wish I did more, I knew I could, but I rested when it was not even sabbath yet lol and that gave me 4.61.
Everyone who has known me was so proud of me, friends, family, well wishers, so many benefactors who contributed to what I became today, everyone was so excited. It wasn’t just the CGPA, so many awards and certificates left and right.
Did you participate in any internships during your studies?
Of course I did, both institution compulsory internships and self pursuit internship. I did my first Internship at MITV then the second at LASU Radio.
Did you receive any scholarships for your studies?
Yeah in 2022, when Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello MNI, NPOM, FNLI celebrated her first year in office, she offered 556 scholarship awards to first class students across all faculties and I was among the recipients in my Faculty.
Do you plan to pursue any additional professional certifications in your field?
So many I pursued and still pursuing, let me list, Digital marketing, Social Media Marketing, Web Design and Development, Content Writing and Creation and some few others.
In what ways do you think your interdisciplinary background sets you apart from other professionals?
Communication students are more aligned to broadcasting or journalism but I am the complete sphere of everything in communication. From broadcasting to journalism, I even launched a virtual radio station and it exists till now. Have you heard of innovation radio? Then I single run a solo business and marketing show on LASU Radio which is held every Wednesday by 4:30pm. Well that’s not all, I am vast across PR, Marketing & Brand inclusive of corporate communications not leaving integrated marketing communications in addition to the skills I earlier mentioned.
So that makes me fit into any place, mention it, business development manager, social media manager, business manager, growth marketing manager, marketing executive, Content writer, digital marketing manager etc why because all these are interrelated.
You might be surprised that, I was at a competition for an OAP one day and I met a myriad of people who aren’t even communication inclined but applied for the competition and that has possibly ridiculed the whole system though not completely but these days anyone can talk on a show, its just do your thing, even top media practitioners are not graduate of Mass Communication and that’s shocking.
Has any lecturer contributed to your ease of navigating your academics?
Most of the lecturers I had a relationship with made my journey easy, I could easily go to them for anything, not like they are giving me pass marks behind other students, but trust me, they helped me in so many ways.
Do you have any role models you admire?
As for role models, I am still very much exploring. However, while growing so many people have shaped my life and I admire them a lot.
What are your long-term career aspirations?
Long-term career aspirations, well one part of me wants to end up as a professor but before then, I want to lead the marketing team of a big brands and shaping the brands with my creativity, I want to be a team lead of big businesses where I will be able to be a channel of growth.
I want to develop my expertise across marketing, PR, corporate communications, brand marketing. I want to significantly improve the business world through my level of expertise.
How do you plan to apply your knowledge to address real-world challenges?
With my background in Mass Communication and as a marketing and communications specialist , I intend to use my knowledge to create a synergy between brands and their target audience. Most especially analysing customer’s insight to propel brands for greater revenue. I aim to create a system whereby the business world will easily achieve its target while satisfying their customers. I want to work with brands and influence decision making and guiding the brand to make insightful decisions that will improve the brand equity.
What are your plans following the completion of your bachelor’s degree?
Okay , this one is so big now. Since I am done, I have been hearing a lot of opportunities here and there and trust me, I do confuse myself but that’s that. I want to immediately pursue a master degree, and without delay continue to PhD I want to attain the highest possible feat academically.
