UI Produces Two First-Class Graduates With Identical 3.97 CGPAs

Two graduates of the University of Ibadan (UI), Adeoye Thomas Adesoye and Abdullah Ishola Hammed, have attracted attention after recording identical cumulative grade point averages of 3.97 out of 4.00, earning first-class honours in their respective disciplines.

The graduates emerged as the best students in their respective faculties for the 2024/2025 academic session during the university’s ongoing convocation.

Adesoye studied Physics in the Faculty of Science, while Hammed graduated from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in the Faculty of Technology.

Both graduates have also highlighted their achievements in interviews published by the university’s campus publication, IndyPress.

Adesoye described himself as the joint overall best graduating student among the university’s 6,025 graduates for the session, while Hammed said he recorded what he believed to be the institution’s highest CGPA.

However, the university has not officially confirmed whether the two graduates share the overall best graduating student distinction.
Adesoye’s Journey From Iwo to Academic Excellence
Adesoye, a native of Iwo, Osun State, graduated with a CGPA of 3.97/4.00, emerging as the best final-year student and best graduating student in the Department of Physics, as well as the overall best graduating student in the Faculty of Science.

His academic record included 61 A grades in 63 courses, the highest scores in more than 13 courses and four perfect examination scores.

He also received five scholarships, including those from the Bovas Foundation, MTN Foundation, David Dickson Educational Foundation, FSB and Egbe Omo Oduduwa Inc. of South Florida.

Speaking with IndyPress, Adesoye disclosed that he was the first person in his family to graduate from a university, explaining that his parents had not studied beyond secondary school.

He also recounted the challenges he faced while attending public school in Iwo, particularly the shortage of relevant teachers.

According to him, his interest in Physics developed after a National Youth Service Corps member, Andrew Adeboye Adesanya, introduced him to the subject and provided additional lessons.

Adesoye said the teacher continued supporting him despite his inability to pay for the lessons.

“I had no money, and I was discouraged. I went anyway. It turned out he was the one feeding me. He would buy food for me when I came for lessons,” he recalled.

He initially hoped to study Computer Science at the University of Ibadan but missed the required cut-off mark by one point, scoring 64 against the required 65.

Following advice from his pastor, he accepted admission into Physics, initially considering a possible change of department. However, he eventually developed an interest in computational Physics and remained in the programme.

Adesoye said he did not enter the university with the ambition of becoming the best graduating student but focused on maintaining good grades and learning from his colleagues.

“I did not enter UI full of knowledge. I knew where I was coming from, and I still achieved great things. Excellence is not meant for only some people,” he said.

His undergraduate research examined superconductivity in B2F2 using machine learning and density functional theory, with the aim of identifying materials capable of conducting electricity without resistance.

He explained that the research could contribute to efforts to discover superconducting materials that operate at higher temperatures, potentially reducing the cost of technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging machines.

Adesoye, who is currently serving at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, disclosed that he had begun applying to graduate schools abroad to pursue a master’s degree and eventually a PhD in computational materials science.
Hammed Records 3.97 CGPA in Electrical Engineering
Hammed also graduated with a CGPA of 3.97/4.00, earning first-class honours in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

He emerged as the best graduating student in his department and the overall best graduating student in the Faculty of Technology for the 2024/2025 academic session.

In a social media post announcing his achievement, Hammed described himself as the holder of the highest CGPA at the University of Ibadan, although the university-wide distinction has not been officially confirmed.

His academic journey included an international achievement at the age of 14, when he represented Nigeria at the International Physics Olympiad in Lisbon, Portugal.

Speaking with IndyPress, Hammed said he initially wanted to study Chemical Engineering but eventually chose Electrical Engineering after discovering that the university did not offer his preferred course.

He described the decision as spontaneous, adding that he gradually developed an interest in the discipline.

Reflecting on his emergence as the Faculty of Technology’s best graduating student, Hammed said the recognition represented an appreciation of years of consistent effort.

“Honestly, it feels normal, and I don’t say that to be proud. In previous interviews I have said that when you hold yourself to high standards, being the best graduating student is more like a gift, an appreciation of the effort you have put in,” he said.

Hammed also disclosed that he balanced his academic responsibilities with social activities, including football, table tennis, social nights and conferences.

He identified financial constraints as one of his major challenges during his undergraduate studies, revealing that he lived outside the university and sometimes trekked from Agbowo to the Science area to attend lectures.

His final-year project involved developing a mobile solar-powered generator designed to provide an affordable energy alternative for small businesses.

According to him, the team proposed a subscription-based model that would enable businesses to use the equipment without purchasing the generator outright.

Hammed said he was preparing to resume work at a multinational fast-moving consumer goods company while also considering postgraduate studies outside Nigeria.

Although both graduates recorded identical CGPAs and emerged as the best students in their respective faculties, the University of Ibadan is yet to officially clarify whether they share the overall best graduating student award.