Hallowed Olaoluwa recently crowned his academic prowess by bagging a PhD at 24.
He bagged two
first class degrees simultaneously in Mathematics and Physics at 18.
first class degrees simultaneously in Mathematics and Physics at 18.
At
19, he obtained two master’s degrees with distinction. Now at 24, he has
a doctoral degree in his bag.
19, he obtained two master’s degrees with distinction. Now at 24, he has
a doctoral degree in his bag.
Be inspired by his success story below:
Scoring the Cumulative Point Grade
Average of 5.00, he emerged the overall best doctorate student at the
university’s 2013 convocation held last week. In other words, Olaoluwa
scored A in every course he offered.
Average of 5.00, he emerged the overall best doctorate student at the
university’s 2013 convocation held last week. In other words, Olaoluwa
scored A in every course he offered.
How did he achieve this feat,
particularly bagging BSc and MSc degrees simultaneously? At what age did
he start school? Did he not attend a primary school? Were the academic
achievements a sudden success?
particularly bagging BSc and MSc degrees simultaneously? At what age did
he start school? Did he not attend a primary school? Were the academic
achievements a sudden success?
“I had four double promotions
in the primary and secondary school. In primary school, I was promoted
from Primary 5 to Primary 6 in the middle of the session. I also
obtained three other double promotions in the secondary school, always
passing my exams with distinctions.
in the primary and secondary school. In primary school, I was promoted
from Primary 5 to Primary 6 in the middle of the session. I also
obtained three other double promotions in the secondary school, always
passing my exams with distinctions.
“Thus, having started primary 1 at age
5, I was able to complete my Baccalaureate (or HSC/Diploma/A’ levels) at
the age of 14 and entered the university through Direct Entry at the
age of 15. I then opted to take Mathematics and Physics simultaneously
and obtained two BSc degrees in the University of Bangui at the age of
18.
5, I was able to complete my Baccalaureate (or HSC/Diploma/A’ levels) at
the age of 14 and entered the university through Direct Entry at the
age of 15. I then opted to take Mathematics and Physics simultaneously
and obtained two BSc degrees in the University of Bangui at the age of
18.
“Running two programmes simultaneously
was not done before; neither has it been done after. I was an exception
to the rule due to my performances and God’s grace. I then did two
master’s degrees the following year and bagged them at the age of 19.”
was not done before; neither has it been done after. I was an exception
to the rule due to my performances and God’s grace. I then did two
master’s degrees the following year and bagged them at the age of 19.”
The youngster, who also received the
best graduating student award at the undergraduate and postgraduate
levels in Mathematics and in Physics at the University of Bangui, CAR,
stresses that before him, it was not possible for anyone to run two
degrees simultaneously in the university.
best graduating student award at the undergraduate and postgraduate
levels in Mathematics and in Physics at the University of Bangui, CAR,
stresses that before him, it was not possible for anyone to run two
degrees simultaneously in the university.
He says, “It was a daring move. When I
was allowed to carry on and when I was successful, a few number of my
junior colleagues attempted the same feat but did not succeed. The
school management then put an end to it.”
was allowed to carry on and when I was successful, a few number of my
junior colleagues attempted the same feat but did not succeed. The
school management then put an end to it.”
But is his life revolving around only
education and books? The Mabo, Ekiti-born academic, who spent his first
19 years at CAR, says no. Though claiming to be sociable, he quickly
points out that his time, particularly at the UNILAG, was
“one-dimensional.”
education and books? The Mabo, Ekiti-born academic, who spent his first
19 years at CAR, says no. Though claiming to be sociable, he quickly
points out that his time, particularly at the UNILAG, was
“one-dimensional.”
He adds, “My time on campus was
dedicated to research and work. I would go to my department to work, see
my supervisor, and collaborate with my fellow colleagues and then go
back home when I am done with my tasks.
dedicated to research and work. I would go to my department to work, see
my supervisor, and collaborate with my fellow colleagues and then go
back home when I am done with my tasks.
“Besides, I have friends and I interact
with them. I have hobbies like any other person. I love watching
football and playing the piano. I am also a member of the Deeper Life
Bible Church and I relate well with the brethren of my district. I even
sing in the choir and go occasionally for evangelism sessions. So, even
though my social life might be a little boring for some people, I
actually think it provides a balance to my academic pursuits.”
with them. I have hobbies like any other person. I love watching
football and playing the piano. I am also a member of the Deeper Life
Bible Church and I relate well with the brethren of my district. I even
sing in the choir and go occasionally for evangelism sessions. So, even
though my social life might be a little boring for some people, I
actually think it provides a balance to my academic pursuits.”
“My academic life has not all
been rosy. Sometimes I look back and say I could have bagged my PhD at
the age of 21. It might be surprising to know that I actually failed my
Baccalaureate (HSC) at my first attempt at the age of 13. That was the
hardest moment of my life but God used it to reposition me. I came back
stronger and more focused thereafter.”
been rosy. Sometimes I look back and say I could have bagged my PhD at
the age of 21. It might be surprising to know that I actually failed my
Baccalaureate (HSC) at my first attempt at the age of 13. That was the
hardest moment of my life but God used it to reposition me. I came back
stronger and more focused thereafter.”