National Telescope national telescope newspaper
A German language lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Dr. Ezekiel Olagunju, has shared his inspiring journey from academic struggles to becoming a respected lecturer.
Recall that OAU students recently celebrated Dr. Olagunju’s dedication and impact by presenting him with gifts.
A viral video showed students approaching him with bottled water and other tokens of gratitude, acknowledging his hard work and commitment to their education.
Speaking about the gesture, Dr. Olagunju expressed his gratitude, saying, “I feel very great for the love from the students. It was heartwarming. Teaching has always been my passion.”
Dr. Olagunju recalled how his academic journey began with challenges.
“I schooled in the village, and it wasn’t easy for me to excel at first,” he said.
“When I first wrote WAEC, I had only one pass – in Yoruba language. Every other subject was F9. I was devastated, but my sister encouraged me, saying that at least I had passed one subject. That gave me the courage to try again.”
Determined to succeed, he re-enrolled for the exams, passed, and developed a passion for learning languages.
Today, he speaks multiple languages and has dedicated over two decades to teaching.
Dr. Olagunju believes that every student has the potential to succeed, regardless of their current struggles.
“Because of my past, I don’t see any student as a failure. Even those struggling the most, I lift them up and support them,” he said.
His passion for his students is deeply personal.
“Many of them are still young and unsure of their future. But I know that if I teach them well, they will become great. Over the past 22 years, I have seen students I once taught now working in America, Germany, and embassies, earning more than me. That gives me fulfillment.”
Beyond academics, Dr. Olagunju credits his faith as a driving force in his approach to teaching.
“I am a child of God, and that influences how I relate to my students. Even when they make mistakes, I guide them with love, knowing that they have the potential to become better.”
Despite his passion, Dr. Olagunju acknowledged the challenges faced by lecturers in Nigeria.
“The work of a lecturer is interesting, but if one is only doing it for money, it becomes difficult,” he said.
He highlighted the poor remuneration of lecturers as a major issue, warning that it could affect the quality of education.
“If lecturers are not well paid, there is a great danger. We are mentoring young lives, and if we are not motivated, it could have negative consequences.”
He appealed to the government to improve the welfare of lecturers, saying, “It is important to appreciate those shaping the future of the country. If we truly value education, we must invest in those who dedicate their lives to it.”
