• How I achieved my 5.00 CGPA score, Ejioju, UNILAG MA graduate, reveals
By Gabriel Dike
In 2018, Nnadube Jonathan Ejiogu graduated with 2nd Class Lower Division from the Department of English, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.
He was not pleased with the result and vowed that he would make 5.00 CGPA perfect score during his MA in same department.
At the last convocation ceremony, Ejioju kept to his prediction and recorded a perfect score, which is likely the first ever in the department since 1964.
In this interview with Daily Sun, he recalled his undergraduate days, not impressed with his B.A result, reading ahead of his MA programme and vowed to make up his not too impressive 2nd Class Lower Division with a perfect score of 5.00 CGPA in his MA.
How was your university education?
I’ve found my university journey to be both enjoyable and personally inspiring. My undergraduate degree in English from the University of Lagos was just the beginning; I later pursued a specialization in Literature for my masters. Reflecting on my educational path, it’s clear that perseverance played a significant role. Here is why I hinted that my education is inspiring to me. After my secondary school education, it took me about 8 years before I could gain admission into the University of Lagos. That period was really depressing for me. I prayed and fasted and made several promises to God. For me, it was a period marked by challenges and moments of self-doubt. During this period, I seized every opportunity for growth. Most of my secondary schoolmates had finished their schooling and it appeared I wasn’t clear on what I was yet. In 2014, I was granted admission; I became actively involved in departmental politics, students’ regional (southwest), and national politics. I was the social secretary of my department in my 300 level and the president in my 400 level.
At the regional level, I was the Director of Socials and was equally the Director of Socials at the national level. In 2018, I graduated with a second class, lower division, and even though I was not particularly pleased about my grade, I made a resolve in my heart that I would be coming back for my Masters and in my incarnation, I would be graduating well. Before the program started, I knew what I wanted and went all out for it. While it was still one month or so to resumption, I had already resumed and started coming for night classes.
This seemed absurd to my seniors who were in the class preparing for their final exam. To them, as they told me, they couldn’t wrap their head around why someone would be stressing himself both physically and mentally for a program that hadn’t even started for his set.
But that didn’t deter me; I knew exactly what I wanted.
Which was easier between my B.A and M.A?
I will say my M.A was easier, though most of my coursemates may argue otherwise but that is okay. We are scholars and what makes scholarship beautiful is the element of difference. The Blakean theory dictates that without contraries, there’s no progression. I believe the M.A. is easier for me because unlike the B.A that is a combination of wide areas of learning, the M.A. is more specific in focus.
At the just concluded convocation, you obtained a perfect score, how did you do it?
Honestly, I will say God helped me and my dedication to reading and writing also aided significantly. Remember, I started reading before the commencement of the program and I randomly read different materials and was eager to do more work when given a group assignment even if it meant spending time to do it alone. Also, for one full year and more, every day, I declared that I was graduating with a 5.00 CGPA. I had a few prayer requests, maybe five, for the full year and this had a permanent top spot.
Who broke the news of the 5.00 CGPA and what was your reaction?
In my department, no one needs to break the news because as your results come out, you can tell where you stand academically.
However, after I saw a particular result, even though I still had 4 results or so that weren’t out, I could tell that what I had imagined for so long was already becoming a reality.
My reaction was not really exciting, though, maybe because I had prepared and waited for it; I had already seen myself there as a 5.00 pointer.
How were you able to rise from a 2nd class lower for your 1st degree to a perfect CGPA of 5.0 at your masters’ level?
This question is a very good one. You see, after my 1st degree, I was sad for a while because I reflected on many things I would have done and the distractions I could have avoided. I narrowly missed 2nd class upper with a few points of 0.04 or so but even then, that wasn’t what I wanted. However, I told myself that I would be going back for my Masters and I would prove to myself that I was good and the grade I had was not a reflection of who I was. My one-year NYSC in Ede, State of Osun was indeed a year of rebirth. People who knew me in the State of Osun then knew I didn’t go to parties or social outings. I didn’t even tour the state like most of my colleagues did. I was always indoors reading and writing. During that period I was actively involved in many research work. I consumed a lot of research papers. I was passively involved in a few researches too. When I resumed school that semester, my very close friend and lecturer, Prof. Chris Anyokwu, a seasoned scholar, was the first to notice the change. He observed that there is a gulf of difference between me he knew as an undergraduate and the person he is seeing now judging by some of my writings he accessed. Most (not all) of what was taught in class were things I had come across during that one year of my academic renaissance. So I came to the class with an advantage I had gained for one year; I knew how to deduce what a material was saying faster and knew how to get my answers faster. This boosted my confidence. One day, a lecturer of mine, Dr. Charles Akwen (a lecturer I love so much), saw me around the UNILAG Main Library with an undergraduate student and playfully said that I should quit the discussion I was having and go concentrate on my program. I told him that although I hadn’t written any exams at the moment I am graduating with a 5.00. I was so bold saying this and I knew it caught his attention so he reminded me that that wasn’t an easy feat and that he would like to know my GPA that semester. I thank God because this has reinforced my belief that anyone can be anything if they believe.
How did you combine work and study?
Initially, I had to stop working for a while to give myself enough time to study. I picked up work again when I realized it was now possible for me to combine the decreasing workload of school and work.
The truth is, except if one wants to be just regular, one can combine the two. Many people in my class then attempted such a combination. To be exceptional, sacrifices must be made.
What is next after your M.A. programme?
I intend to further. I will be applying for my PhD program this year.
Would you accept a lecturing job?
It has always been my desire to share my knowledge and help raise scholars too. I enjoy teaching. When I was in primary and secondary school, I had difficulties in mathematics so when I finished school and was a private home teacher, I went to study elementary mathematics so well that I will always boast that I teach so that you will not only know it but will be so good at it and be able to teach others. To date, I am eager to share my knowledge.
Are you the first to record a 5.0 CGPA from UNILAG?
I believe I am the first because one of my lecturers mentioned that I broke the departmental record.
How old is the department?
I don’t know when the English department in UNILAG was established but I know that the Faculty of Arts where the department is domiciled was established in 1964, two years after UNILAG itself was founded.
Can we meet you?
My name is Nnadube Jonathan Ejiogu, and I; come from Isi-ala Mbano in Imo State, Nigeria. I hold the position of the third child among six siblings, born to Mr. Christian and Mrs. Patience Ejiogu. Currently, I serve as the manager at Chase Place, located in V.I, Lagos (a hospitality facility).