Celebrated OAU Lecturer Reveals He Failed All Subjects Except Yoruba in First WASSCE Attempt

A renowned Obafemi Awolowo University lecturer shares his inspiring journey, revealing he failed all subjects except Yoruba in his first WASSCE attempt before achieving academic success.

Dr. Ezekiel Olagunju, a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), gained attention in a viral video where his students showered him with praise and gifts. During an interview with the “The Morning Brief” team on Channels Television, Dr. Olagunju shared details about the event as well as insights into his remarkable academic journey—from struggling during his initial attempt at the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) administered by WAEC to becoming an outstanding scholar.

Delight in the selected passages:

I’m not sure if those gifts have stopped arriving, but it was truly heartwarming to witness your students’ generosity, from the people who donated bottled water to those who brought drinks. How did that make you feel, Dr. Olagunju?

I felt, and continue to feel, incredibly grateful for the students’ love and appreciation. It was truly heartwarming.

Dr. Olagunju, we need to look into your methods because this is quite unusual for Nigerian universities. Typically, students are either persistently asking lecturers about their results or trying to make up for a missed course. So what exactly have you done to win over your students?

Well, it has been the driving force of my life. Three key aspects define who I am: firstly, my past. Academically, I studied in a village school where advancing quickly wasn’t easy for me. Yet despite this challenge and having attended a rural institution, becoming successful as a lecturer showed me that anyone can achieve great things in life. There’s even an amusing story about how when I first took the WAEC exam; Yoruba was the only subject I passed while receiving F9s across all others—it was quite distressing at that time! When sharing these results with my sister and parents upon returning home feeling dejected—my ever-supportive sister remarked wisely…’Be grateful though because some folks didn’t manage to pass anything.’

After having to retake the exam, I passed and began learning languages. Looking back from where I started—with just one passing grade in all my secondary school subjects—to now being able to speak several languages and work as a lecturer, I’m convinced that anyone can succeed. Because of my own journey, I believe every student has potential for success, even those who struggle the most. That’s why I am dedicated to uplifting and supporting them on their paths forward.

Second, my passion lies with my students. I am deeply committed to envisioning a future where all of them—currently still very young and uncertain about what the future holds—excel in life. My dedication drives me to teach and educate them effectively so they can achieve greatness.

With more than 22 years of dedication and passion in this field, I’ve witnessed the transformation of young children from two decades ago into successful adults. Today, I see them thriving across America, Germany, at embassies and numerous prestigious positions—and many are even earning higher salaries than I do.

The vision is becoming a reality. First, my past plays a role. Second, my passion drives me forward. Third, I identify as a child of God. When I had the born-again experience and became connected to God’s love within me, it transformed how I see others—especially students who may be making mistakes. Despite their missteps, I view them through the lens of God’s love as if they were my own children; this perspective allows—and continues to allow—me to guide their lives toward brighter futures effectively.

Fascinating. How feasible is it to replicate your approach across universities? Additionally, why do lecturers often come across as either irritable or unavailable?

The work of lecturing is quite interesting. It’s similar to someone preaching without a genuine calling; if they’re only doing it for money, their delivery won’t be effective. However, if a lecturer truly has passion for what they do, they’ll excel in their role.

The situation in our country regarding lecturer salaries is far from ideal, and it’s easy to understand why some might feel frustrated with students. Given the limited support from the government, it can be challenging for lecturers to maintain enthusiasm for their work since not all of them are alike. However, if someone truly feels called to this profession and has a genuine passion for teaching as well as cares about students’ success like they would their own children, then dedicating one’s efforts fully can greatly impact shaping these individuals’ futures positively.

We must urge the government to better recognize and support those mentoring young people. University lecturers, who have significant influence over students’ lives, need proper compensation for their work. Without adequate remuneration, there is a considerable risk involved. It’s crucial for the government to address this issue promptly.