‘Your Degree Does Not Limit Where You Can Go.’ — OAU English First-Class Graduate and ₦5 Million Essay Winner Encourages Undergraduates

In 2024, Adéwùmí Zainab ATÓYÈBÍ graduated with a first-class degree from the Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, a feat often considered insurmountable within the department. Nearly two years later, she emerged as the winner of a national essay competition, taking home the ₦5 million grand prize.

In a conversation with NASELS Communication Bureau, she reflects on her experience navigating the competition, the role her academic background in English played in her success, and the words of encouragement she has for current undergraduates of the Department of English, OAU.

Could you briefly introduce yourself?

My name is Adéwùmí Zainab ATÓYÈBÍ. I studied English Language at Obafemi Awolowo University, and I am presently a serving corps member in Lagelu Local Government in Oyo State.

Congratulations on winning the national essay competition! Could you tell us about the competition, the essay topic, and what inspired you to participate?

Thank you! The essay focused on Nigerian Tax Reforms, specifically addressing the challenges to their implementation and proposing practical solutions. I wouldn’t say there was a profound inspiration that initially drove me to participate. I actually found out about the competition through a friend, Victor Adebiyi, a graduate of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, OAU. In February, he shared the essay competition link which was shared by his LGI. He was a serving corps member at the time. Meanwhile, I was just beginning my own service in Oyo State. I initially never planned to submit an entry, but I eventually decided to try it out. So, maybe Victor was my inspiration.

How did you approach the research and writing process for the essay? Were there any particular sources, experiences, or ideas that shaped your arguments?

The essay competition was in two phases. The first submission was from the comfort of our homes, and the second was written in real time in Abuja. For the first submission, I approached the essay with the same discipline I apply to standard academic writing. Drawing heavily from my undergraduate experience and the rigour required to write my final-year thesis, I applied structured academic principles to the work.

Because the topic of tax reform was outside my primary field of study, I dedicated time to conducting thorough research to gather factual insights. I then synthesised these ideas into writing, ensuring the document was properly edited, formatted cleanly, and rigorously referenced. The structured approach to language I learnt in the Department of English was instrumental in helping me present the arguments cohesively.

At what point, if any, did you begin to feel that your entry had a strong chance of standing out? What do you think distinguished your essay from the other entries?

To be completely honest, I never thought my entry had a strong chance of standing out. A long time had passed since my submission in February, and I had practically forgotten about it until the last day of September when I was contacted. I finally realised my entry had stood out when I was selected as one of the 20 finalists invited to travel to Abuja to compete in the grand finale for the overall prizes.

For the final essay, I had an unflinching confidence in God that I would win the competition. And God really helped me. He helped me in my preparation and research towards the final essay and in articulating my points well in writing. There were stipulated assessment frameworks used to evaluate the final submissions, and by God’s grace, I delivered on those metrics to emerge as the overall winner.

How did you feel when you learnt that you had won? Beyond the recognition and prize money, what does this achievement mean to you?

When I was declared the winner during the grand finale event, my overwhelming feeling was pure gratitude to God. Beyond the prize, this achievement is deeply inspiring. I learnt a lot from the Convener, Mr Sylvanus Folusho Ojo, particularly from his selfless efforts in supporting academic excellence and contributing to national development. His life expanded my perspective on the endless possibilities available when one is dedicated to creating positive change.

Your undergraduate training was in English, yet this achievement has taken you into a national essay competition. In what ways did your background in English help you approach the subject, conduct your research, and communicate your arguments effectively?

My background in English was incredibly helpful. The structured approach to language that I learnt during my undergraduate days guided me. It helped me organise my research effectively, choose the right words, edit the essay cleanly, and communicate complex arguments about tax reform in a clear manner.

Preparing for a competition of this nature can be demanding. Were there moments when you doubted yourself or felt uncertain about your entry? If so, how did you navigate those moments?

For the initial entry, I didn’t really have doubts because I wasn’t expecting much in return. And for the second essay written in real-time in Abuja, there was no room for doubt. I believed God for it. I also knew people who were sincerely praying for me, so I didn’t have the option of using my doubts to reverse the prayers. Even when the Convener randomly asked who would go home with the prize, I confidently raised my hand. I kept telling myself that I would be the first-place winner. I used my conviction in God to completely destroy any doubts.

During your previous interview with NCB, you spoke about some of the challenges you encountered during your undergraduate years. Did any of those experiences influence how you approached this essay competition? If so, how?

My past experiences built a strong mindset of excellence in me. Even though I didn’t have much time to prepare for the grand finale in Abuja, I invested all the energy and time I had into preparing as thoroughly as possible. I simply did my absolute best and trusted God to handle the rest.

When NCB interviewed you in December 2024, you had just graduated as the Best Graduating Student in the Department of English. Today, we’re speaking with you about winning a national essay competition. Looking back at these two milestones, what mindset or personal qualities do you think contributed to your achievements?

While qualities like discipline and a mindset of excellence play a role, the most significant factor has always been God. For the grand finale, we didn’t even know exactly which aspect of the topic the final essay would cover. I just trusted God for His guidance and customised wisdom, and it was ultimately His help that made me win.

Having won a national essay competition, what would you like to say to current students of the Department of English who are still discovering the possibilities available to them and wondering how far their degree can take them?

My advice is to recognise that your degree does not limit where you can go. However, you must pair your degree with other aligning factors: build relevant skills, maintain a mindset of excellence, and above all, hold firmly to God. When opportunities arise, do not write yourself off. Give it your best energy, apply yourself fully, and trust God with the results.