Nigerian Lady that Dropped out from US University, Emerges Best Graduating Student in Nigeria

Twenty-five-year-old Joy Ahiakwo, who was forced to drop out of the University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC) due to financial constraints, has defied the odds by graduating as the overall best student at Caleb University, Lagos, with a near-perfect 4.98 CGPA (out of 5.0) in Industrial Chemistry.

Her higher academic journey began in 2015 when she completed high school with exceptional results in the Cambridge GCE O’Level.

The following year, she excelled in her A-Levels and gained admission to study for a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at the University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC) in the United States.

Ahiakwo’s academic journey took an unexpected turn when her family could no longer afford her tuition at UIC.

“I couldn’t register for the next semester because we couldn’t afford the fees,” Ahiakwo explained.

“UIC requires payment before registration. My dad couldn’t pay 50% of the fee needed to spread the cost,” she revealed. “I checked scholarship options, but most were for Asian or Middle Eastern students, not Africans. I had no choice but to leave.”

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Returning to Nigeria, Ahiakwo enrolled at Caleb University, where she initially struggled to adjust.

“I was used to the US system—being ‘spoiled,’ as I’d say. But my dad made sure I was comfortable. When I complained about the heat, he brought me a fan. When I needed a dress for an event, he drove it to campus,” she shared.

Despite the shift, her passion for Chemistry never wavered.

“I Read Every Night—It Was Fun for Me”

“I read from 7 PM to 11 PM daily. Chemistry came naturally—it never felt like stress. I built strong relationships with my teachers, avoided distractions, and stayed focused even while in a relationship,” she said.

She maintained her academic excellence and graduated at the top of her class, earning her the valedictorian title.  Ahiakwo’s 4.98 CGPA earned her the title of best-graduating student in Caleb University’s Class of 2024—a redemption after her US dropout.

“I don’t see my time at UIC as wasted. It shaped me. But graduating top of my class here proves that setbacks don’t define you—your resilience does.”

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