Babawande Elizabeth, a first-class graduate in Food Science and Technology from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has shared a compelling account of her resilience and passion after encountering repeated challenges while pursuing her initial aspiration of studying Medicine.
In an interview with Temitope Adetunji, Elizabeth provided insights into her journey, beginning as the youngest of five siblings raised in Mushin, Lagos. Having excelled in her secondary school GCE exams in 2009, she faced numerous obstacles when she fell short of the cut-off marks for Medicine and Surgery despite multiple attempts. Initially reluctant to consider polytechnic education, Elizabeth later enrolled in Pharmaceutical Technology at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta in 2012.
Despite initial hesitance towards attending a polytechnic, Elizabeth demonstrated outstanding performance in her studies, graduating with distinction as the top student in her department. Her pursuit of Direct Entry into Anatomy and Physiology at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) was met with rejection due to limited slots for her state of origin. Despite initial discouragement, with support from her family and friends, Elizabeth continued her academic journey.
During her time at home, she underwent training in cakes, pastries, and food handling, igniting her passion for the food industry. This newly found interest led her to transition from Pharmaceutical Technology to Food Science and Technology at FUNAAB, where she was admitted for the 2018/2019 academic session.
Despite encountering challenges adapting to the new course as a direct-entry student, Elizabeth excelled academically, eventually graduating with a CGPA of 4.56, ranking as the second-best student in her department. Her leadership as the campus fellowship president and active involvement in her local church illustrated her ability to balance academic pursuits with extracurricular commitments.
Reflecting on her journey, Elizabeth expressed gratitude for uncovering her vocation in Food Science, recognizing that one can make meaningful contributions to society in any field. She aspires to advance her education in food processing and safety while contributing to research and development in the food industry to bolster food security and sustainability.
Elizabeth's message to individuals facing setbacks is resolute: remain resolute and patient, trusting that challenges are catalysts for success.