Following the bright colours and celebrations that marked Babcock University’s 2025 Convocation Ceremony on Sunday, July 27, one name echoed with quiet power and deep inspiration; Fatimah Lawal, the institution’s overall best graduating student.
Fatimah, who completed her degree in Economics with an outstanding CGPA of 4.97, represents the very essence of the “Charis Class of 2025”—a class the Chancellor, Pastor (Professor) Bassey Udoh, described as “leaders, innovators, and ambassadors of hope.”
“I had always wanted to be the best graduating student from my first day at Babcock,” Fatimah said in a reflective moment. “It was a vision I carried in my heart, and I never stopped working toward it.” She mentioned in a conversation with EduTimes Africa.
Her story, however, is not just about grade, it’s about grace, grit, and growth. Now 20, Fatimah has navigated one of the most rigorous academic programs on campus, even as she dealt with the emotional and mental demands that came with it.
“My 300-level year was the hardest. I took my toughest courses while participating in multiple competitions. I constantly felt overwhelmed. But I leaned on God, on my family, and on my friends. That’s how I stayed grounded,” she said.
Behind the high CGPA is a young woman who understood the value of balance. Fatimah believes academic success must be integrated with emotional well-being and healthy relationships.
“I had to learn how to give attention to every part of my life. The time I spent enjoying hobbies or laughing with friends gave me the energy to keep going.”
She also pays glowing tribute to her support systems,her parents, younger sisters, lifelong friends, university peers, and the Economics Department that nurtured her academic journey.
“My HOD, lecturers, and even the department secretaries played a role in my success. Everyone gave me strength in moments of difficulty,” she shared.
During the convocation, the Chancellor charged graduates to lead with integrity and serve with purpose in a world “yearning for direction and hope.” Fatimah’s story stands as a quiet confirmation of that charge, a life built on intentionality, faith, and vision.
“Your life is yours, and you can make it what you want,” she encouraged younger students. “Be intentional about finding what feeds your soul and build your life around it. Even if it feels impossible now, if you stay consistent, you’ll find your place.”
Fatimah Lawal is not just a name in a convocation booklet. She is a reminder that excellence is not accidental. It is dreamed, fought for, nurtured, and finally lived out one intentional step at a time.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.