Clasfonunibadan

Graduating in the top 1% of a highly competitive class in the Faculty of Law is a huge success but proving one’s self to be primus inter pares ( first among equals) is nothing short of greatness.
Nifemi Egunjobi, a Christian Law student, erstwhile Head of Moot and Mock Society UI, and one-time  President of Awo Hall Literary and Debating Society shares her experience, having emerged as the best female graduating student of the LLB 2020/21 set in this pulsating interview with CLASFON’s Akinkuolie Emmanuel.

Can we meet Nifemi Egunjobi?

I am Blessing Oluwanifemi Egunjobi, a graduate of the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan. I am from a family of 6, I am from Ekiti state and have lived all my life in Akure, Ondo State. I love watching movies, singing, cooking, eating, reading, and gisting. I’m also a lover of God and law.

What inspired your choice to study Law?

There was this very good friend of mine that inspired me to choose law. I also had a passion to study law. So I went for it.

What other interests do you have apart from Law?

Volunteering and Writing.

Did you set out to graduate as one of best in your class or it’s just a reward of the dint of hard work and consistency you invested in your acdemics?

I did not set out to finish as the best graduating female student. I just wanted to finish well, nothing more nothing less. I didn’t expect it, because there were people way ahead of me. So I would say it was a result of God’s grace, hard work, and consistency.

Do you believe one’s social life should be sacrificed in the pursuit of academic excellence?

No, I don’t believe one’s social life should be sacrificed in the pursuit of academic excellence. I wouldn’t say I attended lots of school parties but I attended dinners, went out with my friends, and occasionally attended theatre shows amongst other things. All of these did not affect my academic work as I was able to balance both properly. So I don’t think one’s social life should be sacrificed for academics.

How were you able to juggle academic work and extra-curricular activities and still excel in all?

Well, I would say it was God because I was really involved in a lot of things and I still had academic work to deal with. I was actively involved in extracurricular activities. I was the Head of Moot and Mock Society, Faculty of Law; the President of Obafemi Awolowo Literary and Debating Society; the Academic Secretary of Augustine Nnamani Chambers, Faculty of Law, and, the Financial/Welfare Secretary of Faculty of Law Literary and Debating Society. I was also the former Electoral Chairperson for Obafemi Awolowo Hall amongst other things. So yeah, I was involved in a lot of things.
Asides from the God factor, I was able to balance everything by planning. I planned all of my work, I had time to attend to my extracurricular activities, time to go to fellowship, time to read, time to rest, time to hang out and gist with my friends, time to watch movies, time to cook and eat. I also had people who supported them all the way. Of course, juggling my extracurricular activities with my academic work was not easy but it went well.

What do you think you did differently that made you stand out from your peers?

I don’t think I did anything differently from my peers, I just received grace, that’s all.

Have there been downtimes in your academic journey?

Hmmm, I don’t think there have been downtimes in my academic journey. It went well actually.

It is alleged that Christian students fail to draw the line between spirituality and academics . What role do you think spirituality plays in academics and at what point should a christian student draw the line between the both if a line should be drawn at all?

I think spirituality plays a huge role in academics. I have never removed God from my agenda. I invited God to take control of my academics, my extracurricular activities, and even my fellowship. So I don’t think a line should be drawn between spirituality and academics. My only advice is that one should know how to plan, God is a God of order. So just plan everything properly and carry it out accordingly.

What is your parting shot for Law undergraduates who wish to achieve some of the feats you have?

Pray well, work hard, and be consistent