Faith, Excellence, and Leadership: How Ayomide David Adepoju Became FUOYE’s Best Graduating Student While Serving as CAC Campus Fellowship President

Rising from the pews of Christ Apostolic Church, Wonderful District, Badagry DCC, Pearce Region, to attaining the pinnacle of academic excellence at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, David Ayomide Adepoju has demonstrated that faith, unwavering dedication, and sheer resilience can transform a vision into an extraordinary reality.

The young scholar, who emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student for the 2023/2024 academic session, successfully completed his studies in the Department of Mathematics with an outstanding 4.87 CGPA. His story, however, is not just one of academic brilliance, but also one of steadfast commitment to God, selfless leadership, and the ability to triumph over a myriad of challenges that could have hindered his success.

A Journey of Faith, Determination, and Excellence

Reflecting on the path that led to this monumental achievement, Adepoju remains resolute in attributing his success to divine grace and the strong spiritual foundation laid by Christ Apostolic Church. He recalls that before setting out for university in 2020, his father gave him words of wisdom that would serve as a guiding principle throughout his academic journey.

“At every point in time, learn to go on your knees and talk to the God of Babalola.”

Armed with this deep-rooted spiritual conviction, he embarked on his university education with nothing but an unshakable belief that through faith, diligence, and perseverance, excellence was not just attainable, but inevitable.

However, his journey was far from easy. He encountered numerous challenges, ranging from moments of deep doubt to financial struggles and the rigorous academic demands that came with studying a complex discipline such as Mathematics. At the same time, he had to navigate the heavy responsibilities of leadership, which required an immense level of time management and resilience. Despite all these hurdles, Adepoju remained undeterred. Instead of seeing obstacles as limitations, he transformed them into stepping stones that propelled him forward toward the realization of his dreams.

A Unique Approach to Learning and Academic Success

Understanding that academic excellence does not happen by chance but by deliberate effort and strategy, Adepoju developed a personal study approach that proved to be highly effective in reinforcing his knowledge.

Unlike many students who relied on long solitary study sessions, he discovered that teaching others was the most powerful way for him to assimilate complex concepts with ease.

“I may not be able to read continuously for two hours, but I can teach for five hours straight without losing focus.”

This interactive learning approach became the foundation of his academic success. Teaching not only deepened his own understanding of the subject matter, but also became a means of helping his colleagues grasp difficult topics. Through this method, he turned academic challenges into opportunities for intellectual growth.

His strategy soon began to yield impressive results. At the end of his first semester, he attained an exceptional Grade Point Average of 4.75. This milestone did not make him complacent. Instead, it fueled his determination to work even harder, setting his sights on even greater academic heights.

Rather than slowing down, he intensified his commitment to learning by regularly attending night classes, actively participating in tutorial sessions, and engaging in rigorous academic discussions. He maximized every available opportunity for intellectual growth, refusing to leave anything to chance. His consistency and resilience became the driving forces that enabled him to maintain his academic excellence throughout his university years.

Balancing Leadership Responsibilities with Academic Excellence

Beyond academic success, Adepoju was deeply involved in leadership, serving in multiple capacities, including his role as the President of Christ Apostolic Church Campus Fellowship (CACCF). He also took on various political positions, representing his department at both the faculty and university levels.

The demands of leadership came with immense responsibilities, and at first, he feared that these obligations would negatively impact his academic performance. He recalls the overwhelming emotions that flooded his heart when he was chosen to become the President of CACCF.

“I remember crying massively, overwhelmed by the thought that becoming an executive would ruin my results.”

At that moment, he felt torn between his academic aspirations and his calling to serve. He had worked tirelessly to maintain academic excellence, and the fear of not being able to balance both responsibilities gripped him.

However, what seemed like a potential setback turned out to be a divine setup for greater accomplishments. Instead of pulling him back, his leadership role became a means for further personal growth and discipline. Through God’s divine sustenance, he not only maintained his excellent academic standing, but he surpassed even his own expectations.

During his time as an executive, he recorded some of the most outstanding academic performances of his university journey. He achieved an impressive three perfect 5.0 GPAs and a 4.98 CGPA, a feat he had never imagined possible under such demanding circumstances. This experience reinforced his belief that when one is committed to God, faithful in service, and diligent in work, success is inevitable.

The Power of Support and Community in Achieving Success

Adepoju acknowledges that his success was not solely a product of his efforts, but also a result of the strong support system that surrounded him throughout his academic journey.

“One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that no one succeeds alone. Behind every great achievement, there are people whose support, encouragement, and sacrifices make the journey possible.”

He expresses deep gratitude to his parents for their unwavering belief in him, to his friends and spiritual mentors for their encouragement, and to the entire CACCF executive body for their collective efforts in ensuring that he had the necessary support to excel. Even his lecturers played crucial roles in guiding and shaping his academic experience, reinforcing the importance of mentorship in academic success.

A Testament to the Power of Faith, Hard Work, and Determination

Looking back on his remarkable journey, Adepoju is filled with a deep sense of fulfillment and gratitude. Every struggle, every sleepless night, every moment of sacrifice has now become a beautiful testimony of God’s faithfulness and the rewards of hard work.

His story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration to countless students who aspire to achieve academic greatness while actively engaging in leadership and service to God. It proves beyond doubt that faith and diligence are powerful forces that can transform ordinary individuals into extraordinary achievers.

From the humble pews of Christ Apostolic Church to the grand stage of FUOYE’s convocation ceremony, where he received the Vice-Chancellor’s golden handshake, David Ayomide Adepoju stands as a living testament that faith, academic excellence, and leadership are not mutually exclusive but can coexist and thrive together.