A resolute Nigerian named Niyi Olanrewaju overcame many obstacles to achieve remarkable academic performance in Germany while earning a Second Class Lower (2.2) degree from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).
Niyi demonstrated how determination and tenacity can reshape one’s future by earning a Master of Science (MSc), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in an astounding ten years.
In 2011, Niyi graduated from FUTA with a degree in Animal Production and Health (APH), having finished his undergraduate studies. He first intended to launch a livestock farming company and even wanted to get into politics after completing the one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) requirement.
After a crucial discussion with his uncle, Niyi’s path shifted, and he now has parents that encourage him and provide funding for his business endeavours. Rather than offering financial support for his planned business, his uncle encouraged him to pursue a master’s degree overseas, learn about other cultures, and understand how industrialised countries operate. This crucial conversation made Niyi reevaluate his destiny.
Furthermore, a FUTA acquaintance who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Germany informed Niyi about the abundance of options and the nation’s tuition-free public university system. Inspired by these realisations, he decided to study for a master’s degree in Germany.
In an attempt to take advantage of the situation, Niyi was accepted to the University of Bremen and then Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel, where he studied Agricultural Genomics.
He was a standout student who earned first-class grades in three of his four semesters. In his final semester, he received a perfect score, which is comparable to a 5.0 grade point average in Nigeria.
His concern with the molecular processes of oxidative stress and its connection to cancer stemmed from his MSc thesis, which studied oxidative stress tolerance in worms employed in biological pest control.
He pursued a PhD in Cancer Biology at Hannover Medical School in Germany as a result of this interest. Only 18 out of 450 applicants were selected for one of Germany’s most demanding PhD programs, despite Niyi’s lack of prior knowledge in cancer biology.
Niyi became particularly interested in gene therapy during his doctoral studies, concentrating on the application of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) as vehicles for genetic illness treatment.
Despite having earned a PhD, he took the unusual step of enrolling in an MBA school. Niyi gave an explanation of his reasons, saying that as he approached the completion of his PhD, he was unsure of what to do next and when to find a postdoctoral job.
Nevertheless, he secured a postdoctoral position after only three months of looking for work. He did not give up on his MBA aspirations; instead, he resolutely managed the arduous research and the 20-hour-per-week MBA classes.
Currently employed by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma, the biggest privately held pharmaceutical corporation in the world, Niyi conducts research on improving AAV vector platforms for gene therapy, an undertaking that could revolutionise the way genetic disease treatments are administered.
In his reflections, Niyi describes how tenacity and determination have been evident in his journey from a small town in Ondo State, Nigeria, to becoming a top gene therapy specialist in Germany.
Niyi credits his accomplishments to faith, perseverance, and an unwavering pursuit of knowledge. “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude as I reflect on how far I’ve come and everything I’ve accomplished with God’s help, and I realise that my life itself is my greatest accomplishment,” he remarked.
If you put your mind to it, you can climb any mountain. Every desire can become a reality with hard work. “I want to make my parents proud because they sacrificed so much for me to have the best,” he said.
Niyi advises people who are facing obstacles in their academic and professional endeavours to maintain their concentration. “The satisfaction of accomplishing your objectives will greatly surpass the challenges and adversities faced during the process,” he said in closing.
CREDIT: ALLSCHOOL, Allschoolabs
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