Aliyah Olanike Olasupo, who recently emerged as the best graduating student from the Department of Statistics, Kwara State University (KWASU), Ilorin, has revealed how she struggled with chronic asthma and juggled jobs before graduating with a 4.8 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

Olasupo, who shared her experience with The Guardian, recalled that growing up, she was very fragile and always falling ill.

“I used to have attacks, and it was very stressful for my mum because she was the only one available, even when I had attacks.”
The 21-year-old graduate revealed that she had to learn a skill to enhance the allowances her single mother of four provided.

“From a very early age, I grew up to understand that I needed to be serious in life and find something to sustain myself.

“So, after my secondary education, I decided to learn a skill. That was what made me start my journey as a nail technician. I later added lash extensions to my new business in my second year at the university, because it was in high demand,” she explained.

Olasupo acquired these skills, established a business, and built a large clientele while in school. Now she plans to expand it to Lagos.

She narrated how she built a strong foundation in data analysis and almost everything relating to statistics.

“My lecturers made it easy for me to adapt, while I also had classmates and seniors who taught us difficult tutorials,” she said.

On how she avoided distractions in school, the statistics graduate attributed it to determination, noting that her results in year one motivated her to strive for excellence.

“It gave me the motivation that I can actually do it, despite my side hustle. It was very tiring attending classes and attending to customers, but I found a rhythm that made it work by drawing up a schedule that worked for me.

“I was very serious with classes and prioritised assignments. I read on weekends, and there were also free tutorials hosted by the school at the time, which made it easier for me to catch up with lectures,” she said.

Olasupo, who described herself as an introvert, said her life in school revolved around her business and lectures.

“I didn’t really have friends, and I never had a roommate because having a roommate can be a major distraction. So, the fact that I stayed alone gave me lots of spare time to be able to read and do things at my own convenience.”

Throughout her schooling, Olasupo said she neither attended campus social events nor went to parties, and was never in any relationship because she saw them as distractions.

Her mother is her role model. She struggled as a single mother to raise them.

“I just knew that I had to be there for my mum and make her proud,” she added.

Olasupo said her plan is to venture into data analysis, using her knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems. Already, she said, necessary plans have been put in place, and she is taking courses in Excel, SQL, and Power BI to enhance her knowledge.

Drawing from her experience, she advised undergraduates to be disciplined, focused and determined to excel.

“Students should focus on understanding what they are being taught, and not just read to pass. They should also be mindful of the people they surround themselves with, saying that this can become a major factor in their lives and future,” she said.