ILISHAN-REMO, Ogun State — A 20-year-old Software Engineering graduate of Babcock University has credited artificial intelligence tools with helping him master difficult concepts and secure a first-class degree.
Oluwadamilola Soji-Oderinde graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.52.
In a recent interview, the young achiever from Oyo State, who grew up in Maiduguri, Borno State, detailed how platforms including ChatGPT, Gemini and Acad AI became integral to his study routine.
Soji-Oderinde, the second of three children whose father is a professor, described an upbringing centred on school, church and deliberate exposure to books, documentaries and stories of innovators such as Steve Jobs. Academic excellence was non-negotiable at home. He consistently topped his class in secondary school and gained admission to Babcock University in October 2022.
His interest in computing began early. Inspired by figures like Mark Zuckerberg, he pursued computer engineering and web design diplomas before senior secondary school. Web design resonated more, and discovering the title “software engineer” on LinkedIn in SS2 confirmed his path. The course was unavailable at the University of Maiduguri, providing further motivation to leave home.
He approached university studies seriously from the outset, though homesickness affected his first semester. His CGPA hovered around 4.4 until 300 Level, when he deliberately targeted a first-class result of 4.5 or higher and increased his study effort.
Key methods included active recall after lectures, working through past questions and generating quizzes with AI tools. After reviewing notes and slides, he would converse with ChatGPT, Gemini or Acad AI to deepen understanding. One challenging topic—Z Schemas in Formal Methods and Specifications—became clearer after AI explanations linked the material to real-world examples. He also sought help from course mates and focused on practical applications of theory.
Methods that did not work for him included jotting extensive notes while reading, flashcards and pure memorisation. Night-time study sessions proved more productive due to quieter surroundings. He prepared for assessments by treating course materials as if he were setting the questions himself.
The final stretch of his degree proved the most demanding. With one semester remaining, grades dipped below expectations, creating anxiety and sleepless nights while he juggled leadership responsibilities. He credited consistency, intentionality and time management rather than innate ability for his eventual success.
Sacrifices included reduced personal time and sleep, plus temporarily setting aside a startup focused on affordable, customisable AI chatbots for the Nigerian market during his final year.
Leadership roles further shaped him. He served as Crowdsource Team Lead for Google Developer Groups (GDG) Babcock, held positions as senator and Director of Public Relations, and later became Executive President of the Babcock University Computer Club—the second-largest student body on campus, representing more than 3,500 students. He was also nominated for Student Leader of the Year. These experiences built skills in time management, resilience and programme coordination while expanding his professional network.
Family support remained central. His parents encouraged him to pursue his dreams and provided emotional backing during low periods. His sister Shalom Soji-Oderinde and a former faculty club president were among key motivators, alongside Babcock alumni.
When final results confirmed the first-class honour, Soji-Oderinde felt a mix of excitement, gratitude and tears of relief. His parents reacted with joy—his father with quiet pride and his mother with enthusiastic thanksgiving.
Looking ahead, he plans to grow as a software engineer while developing a career in developer relations, leveraging both technical skills and leadership experience. He remains interested in agentic AI, customisable chatbots and tools that allow AI systems to interact with external services, and intends to resume work on his startup.
Soji-Oderinde’s account highlights how emerging technologies can support rigorous academic effort when used for deeper comprehension rather than shortcuts, offering a contemporary model for student success in an AI-enabled era.
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