How persistence brought fortune to 500-level undergraduate

MUFUTAU Akuruyejo is a 500-level Computer Engineering student of the University of Lagos, Akoka.

The second of two children, Mufutau had always expressed interest in ICT, hence his decision to study engineering. His brilliance and commitment to his studies have helped him to win an MTN Nigeria Foundation (MTNNF) scholarship.

But the scholarship, which is worth the sum of N200, 000, did not come on a platter of gold for him. To win, he had to maintain the required minimum CGPA of 3.50.

With the win, Mufutau became the first Nigerian nay African to be selected for the ICT training programme in CERN Openlab, Switzerland.

His journey to stardom began after he read an advertisement on the MTN Nigeria Foundation website. “As a second year student in 2012, I saw an advert on the MTN Nigeria Foundation website requesting for application into a scholarship scheme by the Foundation. I forwarded my application and I was invited for an exam, which I passed. Since then, I have diligently worked at maintaining my CGPA to meet up with the required 3.50 standard. Based on this, I have enjoyed the scholarship worth N200, 000.00.

“Early this year, there was another post on the MTNNF Facebook page requesting for applicants to take part in a nine-week advanced IT project. Some of the skills required for eligibility are: project management skills, data base skill, analytic framework and an understanding of Linux applications. I applied for the project and after a rigorous selection exercise, which included recommendation from my department, I was selected.”

He told The Nation that winning the scholarship and the expectation of a nine-week ICT training programme in Switzerland has impacted on his education.

“The scholarship has a positive impact on my education. The difference between an average student and a very brilliant student is the extra mile walked by the very brilliant student. The MTNNF scholarship has really helped me resolve financial challenges that could have limited my capabilities to go the extra mile; and getting requisite course materials for my study. The scholarship has greatly added value to my academic pursuit and my life generally.”

Winning the scholarship, Mufutau, who said he draws inspiration from Microsoft owner, Bill Gates  and Larry Ellison, the CEO of Oracle, confessed is a dream come true for him. And ahead of his trip to Switzerland, he is already making plans on how to maximize the gains of the scholarship.

“I feel highly elated to have been selected. For me, it is a dream come. The first time I received the call, I was doubtful and needed the caller’s repeated assurance that I have been selected. Right now, I am strategising on how to maximise this opportunity while in Switzerland. This is an opportunity of a life time and I will forever be grateful to MTNN Foundation and Oracle. I hope to learn enough about Oracle data base while I also make enquiries on possibilities of furthering my education; probably as an intern in a research institute because I am very passionate about technology. Through education, a whole community can be liberated and only skills like this can bring about such change.”

Winning the scholarship has made the undergraduate come to the realisation that hard work has it reward.

“Hard work pays. When your achievement is based on merit, it takes you very far. Whatever you get on merit will be sustainable. With hard work and dedication, it may be easier to get to the pinnacle of your career. Personalities like Bill Gates owner of Microsoft; Larry Ellison, the CEO, Oracle and a host of other people who worked hard to get to where they are today inspire me. To my fellow Nigerian youth, there is always a reward for hard work.”