Against a backdrop of hardship that once defined his daily life, Oladepo Caleb Olugbenga has emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, graduating with a First Class degree and a near-perfect CGPA of 4.89.
His remarkable has attracted national attention for both its academic excellence and the story behind it.
Olugbenga first came into the spotlight after publicly acknowledging the role of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in his journey, stating that the support made his academic pursuit possible.
His remarks sparked a wave of reactions online, prompting him to offer a fuller account of the circumstances that shaped his success.
In a personal reflection shared after his convocation, he described growing up in a modest family in a rural community in Osun State, where access to basic necessities was limited.
He attended public schools throughout his early years, not out of preference but because private education was beyond his family’s means.
He recalled years defined by deprivation, studying without electricity, relying on lanterns and candles, and walking long distances to school while his parents worked multiple jobs to support the household.
Despite these constraints, Olugbenga said he remained determined to excel academically, eventually securing a scholarship that enabled him to pursue higher education.
Even at university, he depended on acts of kindness, including a gifted smartphone from a benefactor and material support from lecturers.
Reflecting on the support he received, he noted that his journey was built not only on personal effort but also on opportunities and assistance that came at critical moments.
“For me, NELFUND was not incidental; it was instrumental,” he said, adding that acknowledging such contributions is simply an act of gratitude.
His story has resonated widely as a powerful example of resilience and the transformative impact of access to education, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
From years of studying under lantern light to graduating at the top of his class, Olugbenga’s achievement continues to inspire conversations about expanding educational access across Nigeria.
