Sumayyah Abdallah, a 24-year-old graduate of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), has achieved the distinction of being the best-graduating medical student for the 2022/2023 academic session, receiving an impressive 23 awards.
According to a Tribune report, Mrs. Abdallah was honored with plaques and cash prizes during the medical students’ induction ceremony held at the university’s auditorium on Saturday, December 9.
Reflecting on her journey, the accomplished graduate highlighted the challenges faced by the cohort of 140 students who embarked on their academic voyage in 2015, with only 79 emerging as inductees into the medical profession.
Hailing from Agaie, Niger State, Mrs. Abdallah dedicated eight years to her medical studies, commencing in 2015. At the induction, she received various prizes, including plaques and over N400,000, in recognition of her academic success.
Sharing a personal aspect of her life, she revealed that she got married in 2021 immediately after completing her 400-level and gave birth just three weeks before her 500-level examinations.
“Marriage affected my studies positively, it gave me more motivation and determination than ever. It made me more focused on achieving my goals,” she remarked.
Despite facing challenges, including writing tests in a hospital bed during her fourth year, Mrs. Abdallah emphasized the imperfection of life. “I faced challenges, but challenges are part of life, and we are not as perfect as the picture you see. I was scared at some point in time,” she candidly shared.
Acknowledging the strenuous experience of having a baby in medical school, especially being nine months pregnant, and caring for the child after delivery, she expressed gratitude, saying, “Thanks to my husband and my little Zayd too, we went through it all together.”
Offering advice to aspiring students, she encouraged them to stay humble, focused, and limit social distractions. “What is worth doing is worth doing well. Most importantly, pray as if you’ve never read anything and read as if you’ve never prayed,” she earnestly enjoined.
