Benjamin Babalola, 22, had a perfect score of 5.00 CGPA at the Mountain Top University, Ogun State, to emerge as the overall best student of the institution in the 2018/2019 academic session. Babatope while being interviewed, told ODUDUWA NEWS crew what motivated him as an undergraduate.
What fond memories of your growing up do you still have?
Among many other things, I remember seeing my dad dressed in a smart way and leaving for work. I loved the way he looked and I envisioned myself also in a shirt and tie around my neck, adorned with a nice suit and a nice hair-cut someday.
At that time, what profession did you envision?
My dream profession was to become a Medical Doctor.
When you applied for Medicine at the University of Lagos, do you know why you were denied admission?
I was admitted into the University of Lagos Foundation Programme for Medicine and Surgery in 2015. After the final examination, I wasn’t admitted into the Medicine and Surgery programme.
Even though I had the requisite point (16/16; 5.0/5.0 CGPA) for admission into the 200-level Direct Entry programme, I was offered Physiology, which I wasn’t ready to settle for.
That year, quite a number of candidates scored a perfect point for direct entry into Medicine but UNILAG could not admit all of us alongside those coming in through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
Due to the competitive nature of the programme, some were shortlisted and others were offered different courses while some were advised to re-apply the following year.