Meet Geraldine Ekor, MiVA’s trailblazer with a perfect 5.0 CGPA  

 

 

Behind every outstanding achievement is a story of determination, sacrifice, and consistency.

For Geraldine Ekor, that story culminated in a perfect 5.0 CGPA, earning her a place in the history of MiVA University, Nigeria’s first online private university, as one of the most accomplished graduates in the institution’s maiden convocation held recently in Lagos.

Geraldine, a Climate Change and Sustainability consultant, who strongly believes in leaving the world better than she met it; had her first degree in Microbiology from the University of Lagos before she enrolled for her MBA.

Speaking about her routine while her programme lasted, she said, “‎A typical day started with preparing for work and spending the day at the office.

“Most of my academic work happened outside my working hours. I studied after work, during my commute, or early in the morning before work. It required discipline and consistency because I had to fit my studies into every available gap in my schedule.”

Though Geraldine did not set out to achieve this first initially, her approach to her studies helped her make the impossible become a routine miracle.

According to her, becoming the overall best graduating student was never my goal. She had simply wanted to do her best and learn as much as she could; hence, hearing her name being mentioned as the top student of her class came as a pleasant and humbling surprise.

“I had to be intentional with my time. I studied in the evenings after work, late at night, early in the mornings, and sometimes even during my commute to work.

“The key was consistency. Even if I only had a short amount of time, I made sure I used it productively,” she noted.

Like every other life endeavour, Geraldine encountered some challenges along the way. She revealed that her biggest challenge was managing her time, that is balancing a demanding career, personal responsibilities, and her MBA programme.

“There were moments when everything seemed to compete for my attention, so staying on top of my responsibilities required a lot of discipline and careful planning,” she said.

To navigate this, she explained that she had to prioritise, plan, and execute her plans.

“I made sure I stayed ahead of deadlines and remained focused on what mattered most at each point in time.

“I also received tremendous support from my family, especially my sister-in-law, who encouraged me during difficult periods. Above all, my faith in God kept me going,” she said.

The intellectual Amazon disclosed that attending the online programme was one of the best experiences of her life.

“I think online education is one of the best options for working professionals. The flexibility it offers makes it much easier to balance work, studies, and personal responsibilities.

“My experience at MIVA changed my perspective completely. The programme was well structured, engaging, and interactive. Honestly, after this experience, I don’t think I’d choose a traditional classroom over a well-designed online programme,” she emphasised.

According to Geraldine, what stood out to her was the flexibility without compromising the quality of learning. As someone working full-time, she was able to balance her career and studies effectively.

Besides, the programme was highly interactive, with practical case studies, a business simulation, the use of AI tools, and opportunities to engage with industry experts.

It was not just about theory; it was about applying what she learned to real-world situations. It also helped her develop discipline, time management, and independent learning skills.

Moreover, she noted that the lecturers at MiVA University were exceptional and helpful.

“They made learning very interactive and practical by connecting theory to real business situations. They encouraged discussions, answered questions, and were always willing to support students throughout the programme.

“Their approach made learning enjoyable and helped me understand how to apply what I was learning in real-life situations,” she said.

‎‎For now, Geraldine said that her focus is to apply everything she has learnt in her career and continue to grow professionally.

“I’m passionate about sustainability and climate change, so I look forward to making a greater impact in that space.

“While I haven’t mapped out every step of my future yet, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and remain open to continuous learning and development,” she said.

 

 

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