Call him a man of exceptional intelligence, you will not be wrong. Salute him as the wizard of the class, you will also be on point.
Reasons for this abound. He bagged two first class degrees simultaneously in Mathematics and Physics at 18. At 19, he obtained two master’s degrees with distinction. Now at 24, he has a doctoral degree in his bag.
Welcome to the world of Hallowed Olaoluwa, a PhD holder in Mathematics from the University of Lagos, the youngest so produced by the 52-year-old university.
Scoring the Cumulative Point Grade Average of 5.00, he emerged the overall best doctorate student at the university’s 2013 convocation held last week. In other words, Olaoluwa scored A in every course he offered in the ivory tower.
How did he achieve this feat, particularly bagging BSc and MSc degrees simultaneously? At what age did he start school? Did he not attend a primary school? Were the academic achievements a sudden success?
These and many more posers occupied the minds of many stakeholders, who converged on the Multi-Purpose Hall of the university last Wednesday where the young man toppled the records of 26-year-old Olabisi Adeyemi. Adeyemi graduated from the school in 2012 with a CPGA of 4.98.
Olaoluwa, the record breaker, who was born on September 27, 1989 in Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, however, provides some answers to this extraordinary feat.
Listening to him share his journey to academic stardom can also be intriguing. In fact, his profile shows that he has always been a shooting star.
He notes, “I had four double promotions in the primary and secondary school. In primary school, I was promoted from Primary 5 to Primary 6 in the middle of the session. I also obtained three other double promotions in the secondary school, always passing my exams with distinctions.
“Thus, having started primary 1 at age 5, I was able to complete my Baccalaureate (or HSC/Diploma/A’ levels) at the age of 14 and entered the university through Direct Entry at the age of 15. I then opted to take Mathematics and Physics simultaneously and obtained two BSc degrees in the University of Bangui at the age of 18.
“Running two programmes simultaneously was not done before; neither has it been done after. I was an exception to the rule due to my performances and God’s grace. I then did two master’s degrees the following year and bagged them at the age of 19.”
The youngster, who also received the best graduating student award at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Mathematics and in Physics at the University of Bangui, CAR, stresses that before him, it was not possible for anyone to run two degrees simultaneously in the university.
He says, “It was a daring move. When I was allowed to carry on and when I was successful, a few number of my junior colleagues attempted the same feat but did not succeed. The school management then put an end to it.”
But is his life revolving around only education and books? The Mabo, Ekiti-born academic, who spent his first 19 years at CAR, says no. Though claiming to be sociable, he quickly points out that his time, particularly at the UNILAG, was “one-dimensional.”
He adds, “My time on campus was dedicated to research and work. I would go to my department to work, see my supervisor, and collaborate with my fellow colleagues and then go back home when I am done with my tasks.
“Besides, I have friends and I interact with them. I have hobbies like any other person. I love watching football and playing the piano. I am also a member of the Deeper Life Bible Church and I relate well with the brethren of my district. I even sing in the choir and go occasionally for evangelism sessions. So, even though my social life might be a little boring for some people, I actually think it provides a balance to my academic pursuits.”
But has it always been success galore for him? To this, he replies no. Olaoluwa, whose parents are missionaries of the DLC, says, for instance, that he failed his first Baccalaureate (Higher School Certificate) examination when he was 13.
He notes, “My academic life has not all been rosy. Sometimes I look back and say I could have bagged my PhD at the age of 21. It might be surprising to know that I actually failed my Baccalaureate (HSC) at my first attempt at the age of 13. That was the hardest moment of my life but God used it to reposition me. I came back stronger and more focused thereafter.”
Interestingly also, Olaoluwa, who speaks French fluently and smattering Yoruba, says he is not yet tired of seeking knowledge and academic laurels. According to him, he looks forward to leaving the shores of Nigeria to pursue other doctorate programmes.
He declares, bubbling with zest and determination, “Having bagged a PhD in Nigeria, it will be interesting to explore other systems abroad. There are many other options, such as the Joint-PhDs and Distance Learning PhDs.
“Since I have a BSc and an MSc in Physics too, I will not want those degrees to be disused. Moreover, there is a pressing need to address more life problems using Mathematics. That is why my next doctorate degree will be in Mathematical Physics or Physics or Mathematical Economics by God’s grace.”
A UNESCO Ambassador of Peace, Olaoluwa, advising other youngsters not to have phobia for Mathematics, says his love for challenges also prompted him to enrol for an art competition in his undergraduate days.
He posits, “Mathematics becomes less difficult the moment one is courageous to face it. If you are afraid of something and you feel it is difficult, you will give up once there is a slight challenge because you will believe that you are not up to the task. My advice to younger ones is not to be afraid of challenges.
“At the undergraduate level, I always relished challenges. There is also this saying that mathematicians are just one-dimensional and therefore they are often poor in arts or linguistics. That promoted me to enlist for a national poetry competition for the under 17s at the Alliance Française in Bangui. I was second in that category nationwide.”
Comparing university education in Nigeria and CAR, he admits that there are differences. According to him, both education systems have their strong and weak points.
He explains, “The CAR inherited a more traditional and rigorous system from the French system. The mathematical background of French-speaking countries is renowned to be more solid. However, Nigeria’s education system offers better access to current research across the globe and considerably more scholarships and research financial support.”
source: http://www.punchng.com/education/mathematician-bags-doctorate-at-24%E2%80%A2%E2%80%A2%E2%80%A2-took-hsc-examination-at-13/
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