Marcus Akinmade is a young Nigerian who has achieved an extraordinary feat in his academic and professional journey. He graduated with a first-class honours degree in Accounting from Lagos State University (LASU) with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.76 out of 5.00, and also attained his chartered accountant status on the same day.

Marcus Akinmade was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. He attended St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, for his secondary education, where he developed a passion for accounting and mathematics. He enrolled in LASU in 2019 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and he excelled in his studies throughout his four years of study.

He told Newswatch that he had always aimed for excellence and worked hard to achieve his goals. He said he studied for at least six hours every day, attended lectures regularly, participated in group discussions, and sought guidance from his lecturers and mentors. He also credited his success to his faith in God, his supportive family, and his friends.

He said he was inspired by the likes of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the vice president of Nigeria, who is also a lawyer and a chartered accountant; Nathaniel Bassey, a gospel singer and a chartered accountant; and Joeboy, a popular musician and an accounting graduate.

He also revealed that he had always wanted to become a chartered accountant, and he registered for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) examinations while he was still in school. He said he balanced his academic and professional studies by creating a timetable and prioritizing his tasks. He said he faced some challenges, such as inadequate study materials, power outages, and internet issues, but he overcame them with determination and perseverance.

He wrote his final ICAN examinations in November 2021, and he received his results on June 23, 2022, the same day he graduated from LASU. He said he was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude when he saw that he had passed all his papers and also made a first-class in Accounting. He shared his achievements on Twitter, where he received thousands of congratulatory messages and praises from people across the country and beyond.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria had an estimated population of 206 million people as of 2020, with about 60% of them being youths below the age of 35. However, the country also had an unemployment rate of 33.3% as of the fourth quarter of 2020, with the youth unemployment rate being higher at 42.5%.

According to the World Bank, Nigeria’s education system faces many challenges, such as low enrolment rates, poor quality of teaching and learning outcomes, inadequate infrastructure and facilities, low funding and accountability, and gender disparities.

According to the ICAN, there were about 50,000 chartered accountants in Nigeria as of 2020, out of which only about 10% were women. The ICAN examinations are divided into three levels: foundation, s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, and professional. The pass rates for each level vary from year to year, but they are generally low, ranging from 10% to 40%.

Marcus Akinmade should be celebrated because he has shown that it is possible to achieve excellence in both academic and professional fields, despite the challenges and limitations that many Nigerian youths face. He has also demonstrated a high level of dedication, discipline, and diligence, which are essential qualities for success in any endeavour. He has also inspired many people with his positive attitude, humble spirit, and grateful heart.

He has also contributed to the development of the accounting profession in Nigeria, which is vital for the economic growth and social progress of the country. He has also set a good example for other young Nigerians who aspire to pursue their dreams and make a difference in their society.

Apart from his academic and professional achievements, Marcus Akinmade has also been involved in other activities that showcase his talents and interests. He is a music lover and a fan of Joeboy, a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He is also a spiritual person and a follower of Nathaniel Bassey, a Nigerian gospel singer and minister. He is also an avid traveller and a lover of nature. He has visited several places in Nigeria and abroad, such as Dubai, Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda.

He is also a philanthropist and a humanitarian. He has participated in several charity projects and initiatives, such as donating books and stationery to schools, providing food and clothing to the needy, and supporting health campaigns and awareness programs.

Another Nigeria young man doing academic wonders is Oluwagbemiga Akinseye. He is a 19-year-old who has made history by graduating with a first-class degree in accounting from Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) in Osun State, Nigeria. He also received the best student award for the 2021/2022 academic session, with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.87 out of 5.00 .

Akinseye’s remarkable achievement is a testament to his hard work, dedication and passion for his field of study. He said that his motivation was to please his parents, who paid a lot of money for his education. “My initial motivation was fear. I went to a public secondary school before I gained admission to JABU, where I started paying N500,000. I decided to brace up so that I will not waste my parents’ money,” he said .

He also attributed his success to God’s grace and the support of his lecturers and friends. He said that he faced some challenges along the way, such as balancing his academics with his social life and coping with the stress of assignments and exams. However, he overcame them by staying focused, disciplined and prayerful.

We wish these two extraordinary Nigerians well in all they do. Keep Shining!