The Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has made history by graduating 18 all-female first-class graduates for the 2023/2024 academic session.
The achievement was announced and celebrated during the 55th Convocation ceremony, on Tuesday, 14 January 2025, by the Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Folasade Ogunsola. The graduating students were praised for their hard work, dedication, and resilience in achieving academic excellence.
The history-making mass communication students are Feranmi Abiola, Ahuruele Akani, Oyindamola Arikawe, Ifedayo Ayilaran, Demiladeogo Bankole, Olaide Bankole, Eniola Daramola, Faith Enang, Temiloluwa Igbinlade, Joy Imanah, Ifeoma Iwelunmor, Chelsea Jegede, Opeyemi Kareem, Eunice Obidi, Frances Odogu, Mofesola Olanrewaju, Funmilola Onabanjo, and Peace Onuoha.
The women speak about their achievements
Oyindamola Arikawe
Oyindamola Arikawe, while reflecting on her achievement, reveals studying Mass Communication wasn’t her first choice but was determined to excel at it.“One achievement I am most proud of but cannot take the glory for has to be having a 5.00 GPA in the seemingly most impossible semester (final semester) and graduating as the department’s second-best student. I just wanted a first class, but God showed off and showed out. I’m humbled and honoured,” she added.
Peace Onuoha
Another graduate honoured at the convocation, Peace Onuoha, speaks about excelling in school while having other commitments. “I juggled two jobs, commuted daily, and kept up with a photography internship. Later, I landed an internship at a multinational company where I managed campaigns, covered events, and interviewed Ministers, Senators, and top executives, applying what I had learned in class and through my experiences.”
Ifeoma Iwelunmor
For Ifeoma Iwelunmor, her greatest challenge was dealing with anxiety coupled with insomnia. “Having health issues and being in and out of the hospital in 2021/2022, all while trying to keep up with my studies and sit for exams, was very challenging for me. Despite these obstacles, I was still able to succeed academically.” Having achieved this great feat, she says, “You can’t spell superwoman without me.”
Feranmi Abiola
Feranmi Abiola also shares, “My greatest achievement wasn’t just maintaining a first-class degree—it was excelling in every space I found myself. From academics to sports, student politics, and extracurriculars, I gave everything my best. I’m proud of the resilience it took to show up, to keep going, and to succeed.”
As we celebrate this groundbreaking achievement, it’s the women themselves who remain at the forefront of this remarkable story. Their hard work, dedication, and perseverance have earned them a place in history, and their achievements serve as a powerful reminder that women are capable of excellence in every field. This leaves an indelible legacy that will continue to empower and uplift women for generations to come.
