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By Gabriel Dike
Faith Ani, Department of Office Technology and Management (OTM), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, has emerged the overall best graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.90 out of 4.00.
In this interview with Daily Sun, Ani recounts her journey to excellence.
Excerpts:
How was your primary and secondary education?
My primary and secondary educations were defining seasons of my life. I attended Joy Nursery and Primary School (Joy Bridge), Aje, Alimosho, Lagos, where I learned not just academics but personal discipline and the importance of consistency. In primary school, I was that child who loved to participate.
I attended a Government Secondary School, Oke-Odo Senior School II Ile-Epo, Lagos, which is now Unity Secondary School. My secondary edcation exposed me to competition, teamwork, and leadership. Those years shaped my confidence and helped me discover that I had the ability to excel if I stayed focused. They gave me the solid academic foundation that later helped me in the Polytechnic.
How many times did you write UTME or WASSCE?
I wrote my WASSCE once and I wrote UTME three times. It was not easy. Each time I wrote UTME, it came with a different story and a different challenge on its own. Though I have always wanted to study Mass Communication, when I wrote UTME the first time, I passed well and got admission into University of Calabar but there was no financial support as my family just passed through a huge financial loss, which almost broke us. I didn’t stop there and kept pushing till I found myself in YABATECH.
Tell us about your ND and HND journey.
My ND and HND are a testimonies of growth, strength, and determination.
During my ND, I was still learning to navigate Polytechnic life, time management, assignments, projects, and adapting to the Office Technology and Management field. It was a period of discovery, and it taught me endurance.
HND brought a different level of responsibility. I had more advanced courses, more pressure, and at the same time, I was transitioning into motherhood. It was a stage where I learned the true meaning of sacrifice. Though I met my husband in my ND days, I knew him more during my HND days and we got married.
There were days I studied while tired, days I had to choose between sleep and deadlines, and days I pushed myself because I wanted my story to be one of victory. Despite the challenges, I remained consistent, and by God’s grace, I graduated as the Overall Best graduating student of YABATECH, a moment I will never forget.
With a child in HND, how did you cope with your studies?
Honestly, it was tough. Though I was pregnant then and had my baby after my final exams. Being pregnant and being a student as well is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But I made up my mind early that motherhood would not stop my dreams. I created a strict routine, attend lectures during the day, took care of my family, and read at night when the house was quiet. I learned to prioritize, cut off unnecessary activities, and ask for help when needed.
I also drew strength from my husband, who was always there for me and in most cases he will wake me up for us to read together on days where I felt really tired. I sacrificed a lot because I wanted my child to grow up knowing that her mother fought for her future.
Three things helped me: discipline, prayer, and purpose. I disciplined myself to stay focused. I avoided distractions and intentionally used every free moment to study. My faith in God was another pillar. Each time I felt overwhelmed, I prayed and asked for strength. And God truly sustained me. Purpose also kept me going. I knew I wanted a life that would speak, not just to my child but to every young woman who feels life is against her. That burning desire pushed me to give my best academically.
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Did you adopt any specific reading patterns?
Yes, I did. I studied mainly at night because the environment was calmer and I could concentrate better. I used active recall, summarizing topics in my own words, answering past questions, and creating short notes I could review anytime. I also revised immediately after lectures. That method helped me retain information quickly, especially on days when I was tired.
How was your social life on campus?
My social life was moderate. I interacted with people, made good friends, and participated in key activities, but I didn’t allow social life to overshadow my academics. I knew why I was in school, so I balanced my life carefully, socialized when necessary, but stayed focused on the bigger goal.
Were there days you missed lectures?
Yes, there were. As a wife and someone transitioning into motherhood, there were days responsibilities demanded more from me. But any time I missed a class, I immediately made effort to catch up. I collected notes, asked questions, and ensured I never fell behind. I will be forever grateful to God for giving me the best lecturers, they will always make sure previous lessons were well revised and it helped a lot.
After your HND what next?
I plan to further my education and officially pursue a career in Law. I want to specialise in areas where administrative skills and legal expertise blend. My long-term goal is to become a respected lawyer and also use my story to empower young women, especially mothers in school.
What was your reaction when ASUP declared a strike?
It was discouraging at first because strike disrupts momentum and delays graduation. But instead of dwelling on it, I used the period wisely.
I rested, studied ahead, and reorganized my priorities. The break gave me time to breathe, reflect, and return to school with renewed strength.
Why do polytechnic graduates feel inferior to their university counterparts?
I believe the inferiority comes from societal perception, not competence. Many people underestimate polytechnic education without understanding that polytechnics produce skilled, practical, hands-on professionals.
The truth is this: Excellence is not tied to an institution; it is tied to the individual. A focused polytechnic graduate can stand anywhere, compete anywhere, and excel anywhere. I am a proof of that.
Who is Faith Ani?
My name is Faith Ani, a determined young woman from Awgu Local Government, in Enugu State. I come from a humble but very principled family where discipline, respect, and the fear of God were core values. Growing up, my parents taught me that life does not always give you what you want, but with resilience, prayer, and hard work, you can build the life you dream of.
I carry that foundation everywhere I go. I am passionate about excellence, committed to continuous learning, and driven by the desire to rise above limitations and inspire others.
