“Against All Odds”: Student rises after 6 visa denials to become a doctor

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- A fresh graduate has celebrated becoming a medical doctor after overcoming several setbacks along his academic journey

- He had hoped to study at a different university but faced six visa denials before pursuing his medical education elsewhere

- After retaking the UTME and setting a target of 300 marks, he scored 301 and continued his journey towards becoming a doctor

Dr Emmanuel Owolabi has graduated as a medical doctor after years of study and overcoming several challenges along his academic journey.

Celebrating the achievement on X, Dr Emmanuel a fresh graduate from Babcock University shared his story, recounting the setbacks he faced before finally fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor.

Babcock University medical doctor's inspiring story

In a lengthy tweet on X, Dr Emmanuel, who graduated as the best student in his secondary school in Ondo State in 2017, revealed that he was not born with a golden spoon and was raised by his dutiful and sacrificial mother.

Dr Emmanuel narrated how his dream of studying at the University of Ibadan was shattered, despite scoring 266 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

He further disclosed that his visa applications were unsuccessful on six attempts, as he tried to study overseas, when he experienced setbacks in his local academic pursuit.

His story partly read:

"Honestly, this journey did not begin in medical school. It began long before then in a humble home, with intentional parenting, sacrifice, resilience, and faith.

"I was not raised with a golden spoon, but I was raised by a mother who would rather spend her last strength and resources investing in her child’s future. That alone shaped me deeply.

"In 2017, I graduated as the best graduating student from my secondary school in Ondo State. Like many ambitious students then, I had one dream: the University of Ibadan. I scored 266 in UTME and confidently wrote the post UTME examination believing admission was certain. When the result came out, I had failed.

"Till today, I still do not fully understand it. I appealed the result because I genuinely believed something was wrong. But life moved on.

"People advised me to move elsewhere. I reluctantly accepted OAU pre degree, still hoping medicine would eventually happen. During that period, I learned resilience, adaptation, and survival. Eventually, I gained admission to study Agricultural Economics, a course I actually loved because I already had a background passion for agriculture and entrepreneurship.

"But deep down, medicine never completely left my heart.

"I still walked around OAU College of Medicine sometimes, telling myself, “Maybe someday.”

"Then came another dream: studying abroad.

"That dream collapsed too.

"I wrote international examinations, got scholarships, attended visa interviews across Lagos and Abuja, and was denied visas six different times..."

See his tweet below:

University graduate hailed online

@notorious_zaddy said:

"Congratulations. Please can you link me up with the person who sewed your scrub."

@thislekayy said:

"Your story is inspiring and we have similar stories, only that mine will be told in a few more years. congratulations doctorr."

@dedotun_law said:

"Congratulations, man. You were one year ahead of me in secondary school."

@omeiyon said:

"Congratulations, Dr. Emmanuel Owolabi Your journey is a reminder that persistence always pays off. It was a privilege to witness your leadership, sir, and I am even more excited to see the impact you will make in the medical field. I am proud to know you our Presido."

@retroman_yila said:

"Congratulations, my brother! One line from this piece will stay with me: “We may be in the same class, but we’re not in the same class.” It’s a reminder that every life is uniquely designed and our experiences shape us into the people we’re meant to become."

Graduate celebrates first class honours with star-studded party

TUKO.co.ke reported that Chioma Okpara graduated from Babcock University with a first-class degree in Economics, finishing with a final GPA of 4.72, the second-highest CGPA in her department.

She completed the programme in under four years after enrolling in October 2022 and graduating in July 2026. Across 74 courses, Chioma recorded 34 As and 39 Bs, with no C, D, E or F grades.

Following the achievement, her family and close friends organized a private celebration featuring a decorated cake and food.

Chioma credited her success to God and said she was already pursuing further professional qualifications.

Source: Legit.ng

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.