Chetachukwu Mmadudiukor, a graduate of Industrial Engineering, University of Benin, Edo State, speaks with BIODUN BUSARI about surmounting challenges to achieve the academic feat of graduating with a first class
How would you describe your secondary school days?
My secondary school days were a bit fun. I never thought of being an engineer; I always wanted to be an accountant because I was very good at mathematics and calculations. I was in the social sciences class. I switched from the social sciences to the sciences in SS2 because I wanted to study engineering. I decided because of my dad. He did not ask me to study engineering.
He wanted to study engineering but could not continue his studies due to financial difficulties. My dad used to say that he would have been an engineer if he had had the opportunity to attend university. When I looked at my life, I could see it was something I would do. I thank God it was the best decision I made.
Are you the first person in your family to study engineering?
Yes, I’m currently the only engineer in my family. It became something the whole family was proud of. The decision to study engineering came to me from the moment I left social sciences for the sciences. I had to study hard to make it work.
Why didn’t you choose other branches of engineering?
I was planning to study mechanical engineering, not industrial engineering. I had never heard of industrial engineering before going to university. After my Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, my score was low, which compelled me to change my course. I initially picked mechanical engineering, but after buying the change-of-course form, I changed to industrial engineering for the admission process.
What was your best subject in secondary school?
When I was in social sciences, my best subjects were mathematics and accounting. But when I moved to sciences, they were mathematics and physics. The reason those subjects became my favourites hinged on my ability to excel in calculations. Aside from mathematics and physics, the calculation aspect of chemistry was also interesting to me.
How did you cope in science class?
It was during a particular long vacation. I attended a tutorial class close to my house, so I was taking science classes after I switched. I was able to understand many things during that July/August holiday. My strength has always been calculations, so that was why I was able to catch up with physics and the calculation aspect of chemistry.
In my school, I was the best in mathematics and there was another girl who was the best in chemistry, so the teachers contemplated making either of us the head girl. However, our principal said neither of us would become head girl because we were not from Edo State. I’m from Anambra State, while the other girl is from Ondo State.
Did you maintain that brilliance in your first year at the university?
When I was offered industrial engineering, the first thing I did was research the course. I wanted to know what it was all about. After doing that, I focused on studying industrial engineering and when I wrote my first semester examinations, the results were good. In my second semester, however, I had an issue with one of my courses. I got an F and had to rewrite the course in 200-level.
Did you know from the start that you wanted a first-class degree?
I’ve always wanted to graduate with a first class. Before I switched to engineering, I told myself that I wanted to be one of the best, if not the best. I thought that if it were my father studying the course, he would be the best, so I needed to give him the best result.
What were the strategies and study habits that earned you a first class?
Night classes helped me a lot. I attended them regularly. I also had good mentors. When I saw my 100-level results, I was a bit shaky and scared because I never imagined I would have a carryover course.
I thought I would not be able to graduate with a first class. I was at the point of giving up, but I spoke with my mentor. Fortunately for me, my mentor and friends encouraged me. I needed their advice and I worked hard to improve my results.
At what point did you know that your first class was certain?
It was in 400-level. It became very clear to me that graduating with a first class was almost certain when I saw my 400-level results. I became very confident that I would make a first class because I had a 5.0 GPA. It meant I got A’s in all my courses. It happened to be my best year in school.
How did your male coursemates feel when you topped the class?
I didn’t really experience any rivalry from either the opposite sex or my female colleagues, but I guess the guys in my class were just relaxed. There were only two guys who appeared serious, but they were obviously not chasing a first class. All they wanted was a degree and to leave school.
Did you feel bullied at any time by the male students?
I did not face any form of bullying from anyone. The only thing they used to say was that engineering had taken away the feminine side of me. They would say studying engineering had made me serious and that I behaved like the guys. They usually said it jokingly.
Since you didn’t have any rivalry, did you get support from your classmates?
In my department, I had reading partners because we attended night classes together. I had reading partners from my department and other departments. We studied together, set questions for one another and marked them together. We also encouraged one another and advised ourselves not to abandon our goals.
Did you face any particular challenges as a female in the university?
The challenges were not peculiar to me as a female. I faced challenges as a student, especially as someone from an average family trying hard to make excellent grades.
Did you have any life outside studying?
I worked as a teacher in a secondary school within the university community from my 100-level. At the same time, I was sewing to make money to support myself in school. I was sewing and teaching simultaneously. I did not really have a social life in my first two years.
However, I occasionally followed my friends to parties whenever I was less busy, maybe once a month. My life was not all about books. I was also honoured as the most influential graduating female student.
Why did you have to sponsor yourself through school?
I’m the sixth of seven children. There was little financial support, so I had to find a way to sponsor myself in school. There were financial difficulties at home. In fact, I finished secondary school in 2017/2018, but I wrote the UTME in 2020/2021 because of financial problems.
I had already been teaching before then and started saving money. I told myself that if I did not save, I would not be able to go to university. In 200-level, we were introduced to core engineering courses because I had taken mainly physical science courses in 100-level. In my second year, there was no time for my part-time teaching job because it clashed with my classes.
After 200-level, I stopped teaching and focused on catering. At some point, a friend and I started cooking for people for pay. We delivered cooked food. In 300-level, I started Forex trading.
All these activities were ways for me to make money and support myself in school. It was tough. I still studied hard while trying to do several things at the same time.
How did you emerge as the most influential graduating female student?
My faculty student association gave me the award for my dedication, outstanding performance and selfless service. There was a time I volunteered to stand in for our general course representative for two months because he was preparing for his father’s burial. At that time, many people got to know me, and I became popular.
I was calling lecturers, organising classes, handling assignments and combining several student activities. I guess that was when many people became familiar with me. They used to refer to me as “Cheta Engineering.” Cheta is the shortened form of my name.
Were you frustrated at any point during your school life?
The first time was when I failed a course in 100-level. I did not think much of it initially, but it affected me as a new student. Another time I became discouraged was during periods of financial hardship. There was a time I thought I could not make a first class and considered focusing on tailoring instead.
In my 200 and 300 levels, I had many practicals that required money. I was frustrated trying to raise money while studying at the same time. But I was able to overcome it. I would call home, and my mother would send foodstuffs. I focused on paying rent, school fees and other expenses.
Were you in a romantic relationship in school?
I started dating in 500-level. I felt that with all the things I was doing — combining school with work — a relationship would not suit me, so I avoided it. Also, by the time I got to 300-level, I realised that the higher you go, the tougher academics become.
He was my senior. In his final year, he came to teach us while I was in 300-level. I asked him a question, and he took a special interest in me. When he later approached me, I accepted his proposal in my final year.
How did it feel to graduate with a first class?
I was very happy. The experience has been wonderful, and I am grateful to God. My parents threw a party to celebrate my success when they heard about my results. I was with my sister in Lagos when the result came out. They celebrated because I am the first person in my village and kindred to graduate with a first class.