Staying consistent with commitment fetched me first class – Trinity varsity graduate

Against the odds of juggling work, leadership, and academics, Emmanuel Tanimowo, who emerged as the overall best graduating student with a perfect 5.00 CGPA from Trinity University, tells TEMITOPE ADETUNJI how consistency, relationships, and starting early shaped his remarkable journey

How did your family background and early upbringing shape the person you are today?

I grew up in a home where character and hard work were non-negotiable. My dad led by example, not with words alone but with the way he carried himself every single day. He showed me what it looks like to be a man of integrity, and that shaped me more than any textbook ever could. My mum, on the other hand, was just always there. Always! No matter the time, no matter the situation.

I also have two sisters, and growing up with them taught me patience, communication, and how to genuinely care for people around me.

What year did you gain admission, and what was your initial impression of university life?

I gained admission in 2021. My initial impression was honestly a mix of excitement and quiet determination. I was not starting fresh in the conventional sense. I had already been on a different academic path, so I came in knowing exactly why I was there and what I wanted to do with the opportunity.

Trinity University felt like the right environment. It was structured, the faculty was engaged, and the standard of the environment pushed you to rise. From day one, I knew I wanted to make the most of it, not just academically but professionally as well.

Were there people in your family or close circle who inspired or supported your educational journey?

Absolutely! My parents were the foundation. Everything starts with them. Their belief in me, especially when I made the decision to change course and start over, meant everything. They did not question it. They just said go.

Beyond family, I had TJ, my best friend, who was a constant source of encouragement throughout this journey. The check-ins, the support, the way she showed up consistently. That kind of presence matters more than people realise when you are in the thick of it.

I was also deeply inspired by people I followed online: Adaora Nwodo, who documented her journey breaking into tech while still in university; Prosper Otemuyiwa; Ruth Ikegah; Samson Goddy, who introduced me to the world of open source; and Iyin Aboyeji, who has been reshaping what is possible for young Africans in tech.

These people were not in my immediate circle, but their stories shaped the promises I made to myself when I got into Trinity University.

How old are you?

I am 22 years old.

How did you navigate your first year, both academically and socially?

Academically, I hit the ground running. I came in with a clear goal: to do well in my books and build my career at the same time. By my second semester in 100-level, I had already built a side project, posted it on LinkedIn, and landed my first software engineering role. So the adjustment was less about finding my footing and more about managing everything I had taken on.

Socially, I was initially the type to keep to myself. I planned to come in, do the work quietly, and stay in my lane. But the university had other plans. A small moment in my very first PHY 111 class changed everything. Dr Humphrey walked in, there was writing on the board from the previous class, and without thinking, I just stood up and wiped it.

No agenda, just instinct. As he was wrapping up, he asked if we had a course representative, recalled the student who had wiped the board, and just like that, I had my first course representative role. That moment opened something in me. I went from wanting to be invisible to leading my class for four years.

What early university experience most shaped how you approached your studies?

When my first semester results came out, I had all A’s. I remember how proud I felt. I even shared it in my family WhatsApp group, and the reaction was everything. My parents, my sisters, and everyone were overjoyed. But beyond the celebration, I remember having a very quiet conversation with myself. I said, “Okay, now you have to maintain this.” Not just in my academics but in my career as well.

What inspired your decision to pursue a degree in Computer Science?

The spark honestly came during COVID. Like a lot of people, I suddenly had time on my hands, and I came across a YouTube ad about Python, a programming language. Something about it caught my attention, and I started learning.

I was not consistent at first; I picked it up, put it down, and picked it up again. But the more I learnt, the more I wanted to know. That was the moment I realised I genuinely wanted to build things with technology.

When it was time to choose a university, Trinity University was referred to me by my secondary school chairman, Dr Samson Osewa, someone whose counsel I deeply respect. When I looked at what was available, Computer Science was the closest fit to the direction I wanted to go. It covered the foundations I needed: software development, data, systems, all of it. So, it felt like the right home for where I was headed.

Graduating with first-class honours is remarkable. What habits, routines, or mindset helped you achieve this?

Honestly, the one word that covers it all is consistency, not talent and not intelligence alone. It is just deciding every single day to show up. Even when I was tired, even when I had work deadlines on one side and assignment submissions on the other, even when no one was watching.

I also made a deliberate decision early on not to separate my academic life from my professional development. I studied hard, yes, but I was also building projects, attending events, upskilling, networking, and putting myself in rooms where I could learn and grow in my career at the same time. I did not see them as competing priorities. I saw them as part of the same journey.

Beyond that, I leaned heavily on the people around me. Joba, who shared the class representative duties with me, made that season so much lighter. Again, having lecturers who genuinely invested in us beyond the classroom gave me something to live up to.

Were there particular courses or projects that tested you, and how did you manage those challenges?

To be honest, the greater challenge for me was never really a particular subject. It was the weight of everything running at the same time: managing a software engineering role, taking up contracts, serving as class representative, building my career, and keeping my grades up all at once. That was the real test.

What helped me was staying organised and knowing my priorities at every point. There were moments where I had to make hard choices, letting certain things go to protect what mattered most. But I never let the grades slip. I never stopped showing up professionally either.

My final-year project was also a moment I invested deeply in because I wanted it to reflect everything I had learnt, both in the classroom and through real work experience.

How did you manage to integrate your academic responsibilities with extracurricular pursuits and personal commitments?

It was not always easy, and I will not pretend it was. There were late-night and early-morning stretches where I was running on very little rest. But I had made a promise to myself when I got into Trinity University, and I was not going to let go of either side of it.

The key for me was being intentional about what I committed to. I served as class president from 100-level to 400-level, was part of the TU NACOS electoral committee, led project teams, organised programming tutorials for fellow students, volunteered in the chapel, and mentored others along the way. I also worked professionally throughout. So, balance was not really the word. It was more like managed intensity, knowing when to push and when to breathe.

I also leaned on the people around me. TJ, my best friend, was a constant throughout. My course mates were there too, always willing to step in and make the journey feel less like a grind and more like something we were building together. I am grateful for every single one of them.

The biggest ongoing challenge was juggling work with academics. I was working as a software engineer with deliverables and deadlines while simultaneously attending lectures, sitting exams, submitting assignments, and serving my course mates as class representative. The thing that made it possible was consistency.

How did guiding others and assuming leadership responsibilities impact your growth and perspective?

I served as the class representative from 100 to 400-level. I was VP and later President of the TU NACOS Electoral Committee. I led Entrepreneurship Development Studies project teams. I also served as a student tutor, helping course mates with coursework, assignments, and understanding difficult concepts.

Beyond that, I was part of a team that built a departmental initiative to introduce students to different tech career paths.

We wanted younger sets to see what was possible, to find direction early. We built it, ran it, and then passed it on. They are still running it today.

The impact of all of this on me was significant. Leadership taught me that showing up for others actually sharpens you. Every time I explained a concept to a course mate, I understood it better myself.

What lessons from your university experience do you carry into your professional and personal life today?

The biggest one is this: consistency beats everything—not a single burst of brilliance, not one great semester, but the willingness to show up day after day, even when it is hard, even when no one is watching. That is what compounds over time.

The second lesson is about relationships. No one rises alone. The people who seem to attract the best opportunities in life are almost always the most genuinely connected—not in a transactional way, but because they invested in people, opened doors for others, and built real trust. I carry that with me everywhere.

The third is that your career does not start after graduation. I started building mine in 100-level, and by the time I graduated, I had years of real experience behind me. The degree and the professional growth can run together. They do not have to be separate.

When did you graduate and what is your CGPA?

I graduated in 2025 from Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. My CGPA was 5.00 out of 5.00, making me the Overall Best Graduating Student and Valedictorian of the Class of 2025.

Can you describe your emotions when you first saw your results?

Honestly, I was proud—really proud. I shared it in my family WhatsApp group almost immediately, and the reaction from my parents and sisters was one of those moments I will not forget quickly. There was so much joy, especially from my parents, knowing everything they had put into the journey. It meant the world to see them that happy.

But beyond the pride, there was also a deep sense of gratitude. Because I knew it was not just me; it was my parents who said go without hesitation. It was TJ who showed up for me consistently through it all. It was my lecturers who invested in us; it was my course mates who pulled through alongside me. It was God, whom I genuinely believe, who orchestrated every step of it. That result was a collective thing.

What I did plan was to finish strong, both academically and professionally. I wanted to graduate with a degree and real work experience to back it up. I wanted to prove that both were possible at the same time. The 5.00 was the result of staying consistent with that commitment every single semester.

What advice would you give students aiming for first-class honours in any field?

First, be consistent, not cramming before exams. Show up for your studies the way you would show up for a job that pays you.

Second, do not wait until after graduation to start building your career. Start now. Build things. Share your work. Attend events. Connect with people in your field. A first-class result is valuable, but it is even more powerful when you pair it with real experience and a network that can speak for you.

Third, build relationships intentionally—not for what you can get, but because people genuinely matter. Be the kind of person people are glad they know. That will take you further than any grade alone.

Finally, take care of yourself. Know when to rest. Know what to let go of. Sustainability matters. You cannot pour from an empty cup.

You recently moved to the UK for your Master’s degree. What motivated this move, and how has the transition been so far?

I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics at the University of Bradford. The decision came from a desire to go deeper into a field I am passionate about. AI is reshaping everything, and I wanted to be at the forefront of that—not just as a practitioner but as someone who understands the science behind it.

The transition has been an experience. Moving to another country is never small. But it has been rewarding. Being here has opened doors to a different kind of learning environment, and I came with a foundation built at Trinity University that I am proud of. Three months in, and the journey continues.