In this interview, Roheemat Omolara Awoyera, one of the trailblazers of the MSSN Akinyele Area Council’s Extramural Tutorial Center, shared with us her strategies, preparation tips, and how she achieved an outstanding result in the 2025 UTME. Whether you’re a current or an aspiring UTME candidate, this interview contains inspiration, practical advice, and real-life insights to guide you on your journey to academic excellence.

Kindly introduce yourself (Full Name, State of Origin, and brief academic background).
My name is Roheemat Omolara Awoyera. I am from Osun State. I completed my senior secondary school education at Wesley College of Science, Ibadan in 2022. I registered for UTME the same year and chose Obafemi Awolowo University to study Medicine and Surgery. I scored 235. I was not happy, not because I had failed, but because I knew I could have done better. I later changed to Nursing Science at the University of Ilorin based on research, but I was not offered admission. I stayed at home throughout that year.

In 2024, I joined Extramural after a friend introduced it to me. I scored 281 in UTME and chose the University of Ibadan for Nursing Science. I later scored 68 in the Post-UTME but missed the cutoff by 1.75 marks and was offered Zoology, which I rejected. I later changed to Bayero University Kano for Nursing Science but could not proceed due to distance.

I registered again for the 2025 UTME with Extramural, scored 311, and attended the Post-UTME classes. I scored 63 in UI Post-UTME but missed the cutoff again by 1 mark. I later changed institutions multiple times and was eventually offered admission into the Federal University of Technology, Minna to study Nursing Science. Alhamdulillah.

What was your UTME score?
311

Have you gained admission?
Yes

State your institution and course of study.
Federal University of Technology, Minna — Nursing Science

At what academic level were you before joining the MSSN Akinyele Extramural Class?
I was at a level where I believed that if I studied well, I would excel. I understood that with Allah, my level of preparation would directly influence my results.

How did the Extramural classes influence your academic performance and exam readiness?
Alhamdulillah, Extramural had a huge impact on me. The classes helped me understand concepts I did not grasp in school and gave clarity to what I already knew. With proper understanding, I overcame my fear of unexpected tests and exams.

Can you describe the difference between your academic level before and after the Extramural program?
Alhamdulillah, I am now confident enough to contribute meaningfully even when discussing with very brilliant students. I now understand concepts deeply, unlike before when I used to pray that certain topics would not appear in exams.

Beyond academics, how did the Extramural impact your spiritual life and personal discipline?
Extramural made me realise that being a Muslim goes beyond observing the five daily prayers and fasting. Through the spiritual diet sessions, I learned a lot about my deen. This knowledge helped me balance my spiritual life and daily activities to excel both in this life and the hereafter.

How long did you prepare for the UTME, and what was your daily or weekly study routine like?
I prepared for about 4 months and a few extra days. My schedule was quite tight. I created a personal timetable based on the Extramural schedule. I made sure to study the pics taught in class in detail before attempting past questions. Sometimes, due to the breadth of some topics, I spread them across multiple days.

I always revised my notes before sleeping each day, which helped me a lot. At the end of each week, I assessed myself based on the topics covered and my level of understanding. I also read ahead using the JAMB syllabus and ensured I got clarity on difficult questions from tutors or colleagues.

What study techniques or strategies contributed most to your high score?
Revision of notes, practising questions, brainstorming, proper planning, and asking questions whenever I did not understand something.

What major challenges did you face during preparation, and how did you overcome them?
Time management and stress management were my major challenges. For stress management, I studied my body system and realised that I needed at least 5 hours of sleep to function well, even if not at once. I avoided overworking myself to the point of inefficiency.

For time management, I used every free moment productively. For example, if a tutor had not arrived, I would start a planned task. I also minimised the spending on chores.

In your opinion, what would you say was the key factor behind your high performance?
Discipline and prayers.

What advice would you give to students preparing for the upcoming UTME?
Having a positive mindset is very important. Do the right things at the right time. If others can do it, you can too. Also, speak up and seek help when necessary.

What message would you share with future participants of the MSSN Akinyele Extramural program?
You cannot do it alone. Learn from people’s experiences and follow guidance. Having the right information at the right time will help you avoid costly mistakes.

Is there any final message you would like to share with aspiring UTME candidates?
If you truly want it, then go for it. With Allah, nothing is impossible!


Editor’s Note: This interview has been lightly edited for grammar and clarity while preserving the interviewee’s original meaning.