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“I was admitted to UI as a student of political science but I graduated studying economics..." — Olasupo Muiz, Best Graduating Student, MSc. Economics Unilag

This week's episode of Meet-Our-Scholar is with Brother Muiz Olasupo Ajibola, the recent best-graduating student of Economics at Masters level in the University of Lagos. Brother Muiz had his degree in the same department at the University of Ibadan, even though he was admitted into the Department of Political Science. Read more as he narrated the vicissitudes with our Correspondent, Aasiyah Obisesan.

Adh-Dhikr: Can we meet you, Sir?

My name’s Muiz Olasupo, a graduate of Economics from the University of Ibadan.

Adh-Dhikr: You recently graduated as the Best Graduating Student, MSc.Economics 2022/23 academic session at UNILAG. Could you narrate how you were able to achieve this great feat?

First, I would say I was very intentional about it with my commitment and prayer. I redefined my goal to ensure I finished with a distinction, and this unveiled itself after my first-semester result of 5.0/5.0 then a CGPA of 4.93/5.0. I was very intentional about it and my business and some other things were affected.
These are the highlights of what I was able to do:

1. I inconvenienced myself to do the right thing needed to prepare me for the feat. Most of the time I slept in class and the office.
2. I seek sincere advice from my seniors. I ask lots of questions.
3. I take corrections and get rid of negative energy and habits.
4. I intensify the habit of night-ups for increased productivity.
5. I pray for guidance, wisdom, and strength.
   

Adh-Dhikr: Aside from being a financial expert, you are also skilled in MS Excel, Python, SQL, and the like. What made you venture into tech?

The ever-evolving world requires me to skill up as my field, Economics, requires these tools to make me stand out from others. Economics tends towards positivity/empirics rather than value judgment, hence, tools like those are needed for data-driven decisions. In addition, I need to make myself a seasoned economist.

It was easy for me to adopt these tech tools as a result of my early familiarity with them from my involvement in the IT and Media Committee Affairs at MSSNUI.

Adh-Dhikr: You had your degree from the University of Ibadan, could you take us through your journey in the University?

Yes, I gained admission into the department of political science but my passion for and skill in economics convinced me to redirect my focus to Economics. So, I went to the economics department in year 2 and graduated with it.
I served and took on many voluntary roles, a two-time Assistant Director of Studies, at MSSN Akinyele Area Council, Financial secretary at MSSNUI, Financial Secretary at NESAUI, Graphics designer at the MSSN IT and Media committee, English, Government, and Economics tutor at the Extramural classes and some other tutorial colleges and so on.

Adh-Dhikr: You were popular in UI as a tutorial master, what made you so exceptional as a tutor?

I just do it genuinely with plain intentions. I always feel as though I should transmit knowledge and make them inhale it as easily as oxygen.

Adh-Dhikr: On a lighter note, did you engage in any relationship while in school?

When I got to 400l I needed to take that part of my life seriously😂, I engaged in one.

Adh-Dhikr: Can you kindly tell us the story of that “one” in detail Sir?

I wouldn’t want to delve into it. It ended not quite long.

Adh-Dhikr: All right, sir. Some students go into entrepreneurship after graduation but, you said you joined a postdoctoral program as a fresh graduate. Have you always had this passion for economics?

I did too. I deal in gadgets and do graphics design. However, it was a matter of coincidence and Allah’s plan that I luckily joined the program. I still deal in gadgets till today.

Adh-Dhikr: As regards your recent achievement, no doubt, you have done a great job. What were the challenges you encountered in the course of this achievement?

The relocation, the business, the constant to and fro of lag-Ib, and the stress that comes with concurrent and various assignments, papers, and presentations 😫. I moved to Lagos because of the program. I did not stop my business but I lost some clients due to less effective responses to orders.

Adh-Dhikr: Alhamdulilah in the end. As an alumnus of UI, what advice would you give to Muslim Students of the University of Ibadan?

I would say students should just persevere, do the right thing, dwell more on discipline than motivation, pray, and strengthen Imān. About dwelling more on discipline than motivation, while both are necessary, discipline is more sustainable. Motivation gets you to work when there’s an external force that encourages you, what if you couldn’t find the force?

However, discipline keeps you moving even when there’s no motivation yet. In essence, discipline serves as a reliable foundation for consistent action, especially during times when motivation might be lacking. It provides a structured approach to achieving goals, fostering long-term success.