Samuel Ullman said, “You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear, as young as your hope, as old as your despair.”
This best depicts Babatunde Sobowale, who did not allow age to deter him from achieving his academic goals.
At 61-year-old, Sobowale made history for himself and became a trailblazer who shattered stereotypes by emerging as the Overall Best Graduating Student of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, with a CGPA of 4.84 at the 54th convocation ceremonies.
By shattering stereotypes, he proved that age is just a number. Sobowale emerged as the overall best-graduating student of the 2021/2022 academic session at the DLI at University of Lagos.
At 61 years old, Sobowale has defied expectations and set a shining example for students of all ages with his remarkable academic achievement.
The Ogun State born business administrator’s voyage to academic excellence began in 2016 when he enrolled in the Department of Management Sciences (B.Sc. Business Administration programme) at the Institute.
Sobowale, propelled by a passion for knowledge, exhibited unwavering dedication and a thirst for learning that enabled him to consistently score an impressive cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.84.
This remarkable performance showcases his intellectual prowess and serves as a powerful message of hope and inspiration for individuals who may have doubted their abilities due to age or other perceived limitations.
Sobowale’s academic achievements extend beyond his current degree. He holds qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management, a Higher Diploma in Business Management Technology, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management, respectively.
This diverse range of expertise, coupled with his professional experience in public service, paints a picture of a highly accomplished individual with a wealth of knowledge and experience.
His acquaintances best describe Sobowale as a modest, unassuming, articulate, and outgoing individual with a tender but hardworking disposition to life.
One of the students spoke about the sexagenarian’s commitment to his studies, coupled with his loving and disciplined personality, as a trait embodying the spirit of excellence that DLI strives to cultivate.
The institute management led by Risikat Dauda, director, staff, and all students extend their heartfelt congratulations to Sobowale on his outstanding achievement, inspiring generations of students to pursue their dreams.
DLI is an institute of the University of Lagos that operates and coordinates the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes as a veritable alternative to increasing access to higher education and life-long learning for desiring learners both in developed and developing countries, thereby providing unique higher education opportunities to all life-long learners.
These include the offering of flexible, accessible, quality, affordable, and cost-effective degree programmes; encouraging and supporting learners; monitoring retention; developing capacity-building processes; engaging in research and development of open distance practices; and contributing extensively to the national and international development of education for all.
