Against all odds, a young man from the heart of Mushin has etched his name in the history books of the University of Lagos. Samuel Badekale, from the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, emerged as the overall best graduating student for the 2023/2024 academic session with a perfect 5.0 CGPA, proving that excellence can thrive even in the most unlikely environments.


Badekale, who hails from Ijebu North-East in Ogun State but grew up in Mushin, shared that his determination was shaped by his environment and strong faith. “Mushin is often misunderstood. While people see it as a hub of louts, it is also home to some of the brightest minds,” he said.

He explained that his drive for academic excellence began when he saw another Mushin youth graduate as UNILAG’s best student just a year before his own admission. That single event, he said, gave him a vision of possibility. By the time he entered UNILAG, he had set his mind on graduating with distinction — and he never looked back.

To sustain his success, Badekale relied on discipline, consistent study, past question practice, and teaching others to deepen his understanding. His journey, however, was not without challenges. At some point, he battled imposter syndrome and social anxiety due to the pressure of sustaining a perfect record. This struggle led him to co-found Students’ Mental Health Advocates in 2022, a campus initiative that raises awareness about burnout, anxiety, and mental health challenges among students.

Beyond academics, Badekale has remained committed to giving back to his community. Through the Skill Up Initiative, which he co-founded, he and his colleagues train secondary school students in digital skills and provide mentorship by inviting successful professionals from Mushin to inspire the younger generation. They have also donated textbooks to over 80 students in the area.

Reflecting on his background, he credited his family’s prayers and support as a strong pillar of his journey. He recalled how his parents once hired a private tutor to help him overcome a difficult subject — an effort that eventually earned him an “A.”

His consistency and commitment have now taken him beyond Nigeria. Badekale was recently awarded the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in Bio-membranes scholarship to study across France, Italy, and Germany — making him the only Nigerian and West African recipient this year.

“It is humbling but also bittersweet,” he said. “It shows how few West Africans are represented in opportunities like this. My dream is to inspire others from Mushin and Nigeria at large to know they can compete globally.”

Advising younger students, he encouraged them to “dream boldly, set clear goals, pray, and work diligently.”

For Mushin, his story is more than just academic success — it is a testament that brilliance can emerge from the community and shine on the global stage.