A young Nigerian scholar has captured widespread attention after finally gaining admission to the University of Ibadan following several tries at the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The aspiring medic, known as Prestige Oluwaseun, revealed that his lifelong ambition has been to pursue Medicine and Surgery at UI.
He described his path as marked by repeated attempts, setbacks, and perseverance before ultimately succeeding.
First UTME Attempt
Oluwaseun disclosed that he achieved a score of 295 on his inaugural UTME in 2020, a result that initially sparked optimism.
Nevertheless, he noted that admission did not materialize because his Post‑UTME performance fell short, despite the strong UTME score.
“295. This was my score in the first JAMB I wrote, back then in 2020,” he wrote.
He added:
“UI Medicine and Surgery… Exactly my first choice.”
“I began to hear different voices of discouragements… of distractions… of ‘change your course or institution.’”
“But I didn’t answer. I love UI so much. It’s UI or nothing. I began reading for UI Post-UTME, as far back as 2021.”
“I needed 86/100, at least, to meet up with the cut‑off mark… from my own calculation. 86. That’s a big score. 86/100.”
“I started reading. Reading really hard.”
“I can’t even afford to disappoint my parents. God…”
He said that despite his preparation, he later scored 66/100 in the Post-UTME.
“I just need 86. UI Post-UTME came. And I received the greatest shock of my life, 66/100.”
“Ahhh… 66. I haven’t cried the way I did that day. I just wanted the ground to swallow me.”
“I hid from people. I avoided certain conversations.”
Switching Course
Following the setback, Oluwaseun mentioned that he was later offered a place to study Chemistry at the University of Ibadan, with intentions to enroll in 2023. Yet he refused to abandon his dream.
He also sat another UTME in 2022, targeting Medicine and Surgery at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
“I began reading hard again… My goodness… 317. Get in jhoooorrr. I was so happy. You can’t tell me otherwise… I’m getting it this year.”
“All focus set on OAU Post-UTME. I just need 34/40 to get in.”
However, he again faced disappointment after scoring 26/40.
“The results were out. When I checked mine, my phone crashed to the floor… 26/40. Again…”
“I cried heavily… I lost myself. Broken. Shattered. Destroyed.”
“Pick myself up? It took a while. But… maybe, I just don’t wanna give up. “So I said… ‘One more time?’”
Admission Into UI
After numerous attempts, he ultimately secured admission to the University of Ibadan to pursue his desired course.
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