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• Prodigy makes history, scores 5.00 CGPA at business admin dept, UNILAG
By Gabriel Dike
At the 63rd convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Benedict Umeozor was the star of attraction among the 1,211 First Class and 10, 584 first degree graduates. The only graduate who recorded a perfect score of 5.00 CGPA, Department of Business Administration.
Umeozor spoke with Daily Sun. Excerpts:
Which primary and secondary schools did you attend?
I attended Christoba Nursery and Primary School, Ikorodu for my primary education, Morning Star Private School, also in Ikorodu for my junior secondary education and Ikorodu Senior High School, Lagos, for my senior secondary education.
Give a breakdown of your WASSCE and UTME results.
In my West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), I obtained one A, four Bs, and two Cs. I also scored 281 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which qualified me for admission into the University of Lagos.
My journey to UNILAG was shaped by both determination and circumstance. After completing my secondary education, I faced financial challenges that delayed my admission for a period, during which I worked and continued preparing for the opportunity to further my education.
In 2019, after writing the UTME and meeting the admission requirements, I was offered admission to study Business Administration at the University of Lagos. Gaining admission into UNILAG was a significant turning point for me, as it marked the beginning of the academic journey that eventually led to graduating as the overall best student.
Was the Department of Business administration your first-choice course?
No, Business Administration was not my first choice initially. In my first UTME in 2018, I had chosen to study Economics, but I was unable to secure admission into the University of Lagos that year. In 2019, I opted for Business Administration mainly because I did not want to spend another year out of school.
However, as my studies progressed, I developed a strong interest in the course and came to appreciate how well it aligned with my passion for problem-solving, leadership, and value creation. Over time, that initial decision turned into a meaningful academic journey that I am truly grateful for.
How about your academic journey from 100 to 400 level and the grade?
My academic journey at the UNILAG was defined by consistency, discipline, and steady growth from 100-level through 400-level. From my first year, I set a clear personal goal to graduate with a first-class degree, even though I was not initially focused on achieving a perfect 5.0 CGPA.
I devoted significant time to understanding my courses from the beginning of each semester, which helped me maintain strong academic performance early on. By the end of my 200-level, I had achieved and sustained a perfect CGPA. Around this same period, I also began teaching myself technology and software development, which meant I had to carefully balance demanding academic work with learning new technical skills and, later, practical work opportunities.
At the same time, I took on greater financial responsibility by funding my education and living expenses, making discipline and time management even more critical.
In 300-level, despite the increased academic workload and my growing involvement in tech and teaching activities.
I remained focused and was able to maintain excellent results, including an all-A semester. Encouragement from mentors, friends, and my study community also played an important role in sustaining my motivation. By the time I reached 400-level, my determination to finish strongly had become even stronger.
Seeing previous students graduate with perfect CGPAs reinforced my belief that the goal was achievable through persistence and structured effort. Ultimately, I graduated with a perfect CGPA of 5.0 in Business Administration, emerging as the overall best graduating student of the University of Lagos and the first in my faculty to attain that record.
At what point did you realise that you would graduate with a perfect score?
I became fully convinced that graduating with a perfect score was possible in my 400-level. Although I had maintained strong academic performance from my earlier years, my confidence grew significantly when I saw that two students emerged as the best graduating students at the University of Lagos 55th convocation with perfect 5.0 CGPAs.
Seeing that achievement made the goal feel more realistic and attainable, and it strengthened my determination to remain disciplined and focused until the very end. From that point, I approached my final year with even greater commitment, ensuring that I sustained the level of consistency and excellence required to finish with a perfect score.
What is the nickname your course mates call you and why?
Among my friends, I am simply called Ben. However, some of my course mates and colleagues occasionally referred to me as “Scholar,” which is a nickname commonly given to students who perform strongly academically. It was more of a light-hearted expression of encouragement and recognition of my consistency with my studies rather than anything formal.
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Are you a triangular student?
No, I would not describe myself strictly as a triangular student. While I placed strong emphasis on my academics and maintained excellent performance, I was also actively involved in other meaningful activities beyond the classroom.
I engaged in learning technology and software development, taught and mentored students through tutorial platforms, and took on financial responsibilities during my studies. These experiences helped me grow in a more balanced way, combining academic excellence with practical skills, leadership, and real-life responsibility.
What was your social life on campus like?
My social life on campus was moderate and well structured. I was intentional about protecting my time and focus because of the academic goals I had set for myself, so I did not engage excessively in social activities. However, I still maintained meaningful friendships, participated in study groups, and stayed connected with positive communities around me.
For me, social life was more about building supportive relationships, sharing knowledge, and encouraging one another rather than constant outings. That balance helped me remain mentally refreshed while still staying disciplined and consistent with my academic and personal development goals.
Being a whiz kid, did it attract female students to you?
Yes, to some extent it did. Excelling academically naturally drew attention and curiosity from people around me, including female students. However, I remained focused on my goals and tried to maintain respectful and healthy interactions with everyone.
How did you manage ASUU strike?
I chose to see the ASUU strikes as period for growth rather than stagnation. During those breaks, I invested my time in learning software development and building practical skills that would remain valuable beyond the classroom. It was also during one of the strike periods that I co-founded A-Team Tutorials with my friend, Joseph.
Through this initiative, we organised lessons and academic support for students, which later expanded into structured teaching and mentorship. Instead of allowing the disruption to slow me down. I used the time to develop new competencies, create impact, and prepare myself for opportunities beyond university.
What is the title of your project and its contribution to the field of Business Administration?
My project was titled “The Effect of Brand Authenticity and Social Proof in Digital Marketing on Consumer Trust and Purchase Intentions among Undergraduate Students of the University of Lagos.” The study examined how authentic brand communication and visible social proof—such as reviews, testimonials, and online engagement—shape consumer trust and influence purchasing decisions, particularly among young consumers in a digital environment.
Its contribution to the field of Business Administration lies in providing empirical insight into how modern digital marketing strategies affect consumer behaviour, especially within the context of emerging markets and student populations. The findings highlight the importance for businesses to build genuine brand identities and leverage credible social validation in order to strengthen trust and drive purchase intentions, which is increasingly relevant in today’s technology-driven marketplace.
Would you like to be a lecturer?
At the moment, I would like to continue exploring my interests and gaining broader practical experience, particularly at the intersection of business, technology, and innovation. I believe this phase of growth is important for building real-world insight and impact.
However, I have a strong passion for learning and knowledge sharing, so lecturing remains a possibility in the future. If the opportunity aligns with my long-term vision and the impact I hope to create, I would certainly be open to contributing to academia at a later stage.
Share with current students how to make a perfect score?
Achieving a perfect score begins with clarity of purpose and consistent discipline. Students need to set a clear academic goal early and commit to daily habits that support that goal. For me, this meant studying from the beginning of each semester, maintaining a regular reading culture, and focusing on deep understanding rather than last minute cramming. It is also important to manage time wisely, surround yourself with focused and supportive peers, and avoid distractions that can gradually reduce productivity.
Small, consistent efforts repeated every day eventually compound into outstanding results. Most importantly, students should believe that excellence is possible regardless of their background or current challenges. A perfect score is not achieved by talent alone—it is built through discipline, persistence, and intentional daily progress.
What next for you?
My immediate focus is to continue growing professionally at the intersection of business and technology, particularly in areas such as software development and FinTech, where I believe I can create meaningful impact. I am also interested in pursuing advanced studies in the future to deepen my knowledge and broaden my global perspective.
Who’s Benedict Umeozor?
I am Benedict Umeozor, originally from Unubi in Nnewi South Local Government, Anambra State. I am the first child in my family. Although my roots are in Anambra, I was born and raised in Lagos State, where I had all my primary, secondary, and university education.
Growing up in Lagos shaped much of my worldview, discipline, and exposure to opportunities that influenced my academic and personal journey. My parents, Mr. John Umeozor and Mrs. Agatha Umeozor, played a significant role in building my values.
My mother is a tailor, and through her dedication, resilience, and strong work ethic, I learned early in life the importance of hard work, responsibility, and perseverance. These lessons became foundational to my pursuit of excellence in school and in life.
