A Nigerian law graduate, Grace Fadugba, has completed her studies at the University of Ibadan with a first-class honours degree, seven years after her attempts to secure a United States student visa were unsuccessful.
Grace, 22, shared her story on X, where she reflected on the disappointment she faced after her study visa applications to the US were rejected twice. She explained that the setback came despite excelling in her Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examinations and obtaining scholarships to study in America.
In a post that has since gained wide attention, she wrote:
“About 7 years ago, I was depressed from my study visa being rejected twice after acing my SATs and TOEFL and getting scholarships to study in the USA.
“UI became a detour for me, and today, I can say I made excellent use of it even beyond the grades. Still Day 1.”
Grace disclosed that she almost missed registering for the university’s Post-UTME screening exercise. She said her sister persuaded her to keep a backup option at the last minute.
“I remember grudgingly going to register for P/UTME on the day it was to close because my sister insisted that I have a backup plan. 100 level: 3.88. 200 level: 3.82. 300 level: 4.0. 400 level: 3.93. 500 level: “
Her academic performance placed her among the top graduating students in the Faculty of Law.
Her achievement drew praise from many social media users, who commended her resilience and brilliance. Several users described her as an example of determination in the face of disappointment, while others expressed admiration for her academic consistency.
Grace’s journey has sparked conversations online about perseverance and the importance of alternative plans when initial ambitions do not materialise.
