For Rebecca Alagba, now turned Mrs Rebecca Ashamole, a first class was a feat she set out to achieve to prove to naysayers that marriage wouldn’t stop her from earning A grades. In this interview , she tells ANGELA NKWO-AKPOLU in Owerri how she bagged a first class with a 4.64 CGPA and graduated as the best graduating student while juggling studies, marriage, and pregnancy.
Tell us your course of study?
I read Public Health Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and graduated in 2025 as the best graduating student from my department.
What was your study routine?
I didn’t have a routine particularly. But after every class, I will read through that note and try to get it into my head. If I couldn’t ask for clarification in class, I’d ask my coursemates who I felt understood the lecture well. I would take down short notes from the explanation they gave to help me remember how it was explained to me.
Were you always an a student?
Yes, I have always been an A student, right from childhood, I noticed that when I put in the effort, I saw the results which motivated me to continue my study routine.
Did you experience any challenges during your study?
Part of the challenge was that reading was not always fun but it was something I knew I had to do. Sometimes it’s difficult to understand what you’re reading but I still read it regardless. I found out that when I was reading something repeatedly because I didn’t quite understand it, something was actually entering my brain but most times we don’t realise it then. But at another time when you’re asked a question, you will recall the answer because you had read something before repeatedly which didn’t make sense to you immediately but was retained by your mind. So you recall what you saw. For me I found it challenging to read those abstract courses where you can’t relate anything to them regardless I just read, and hoped to recall and I did.
Tell us your motivation
I had several motivations. First my mum, Pastor Rosemond Alagba who is also an associate Professor and lecturer in FUTO. I saw how hard she worked, how much effort she put into studying because as a lecturer, she had to study to stay top of her game and teach excellently. I was like if my mum at her age could still be much devoted to her books amidst all she had to juggle even as a Pastor, lecturer, farmer, and gospel song minister. So I asked myself why not, why can’t I follow her and achieve the same result. So that was my first motivation.
The second was the fact that I got married, and people were like I wouldn’t do well in school again or that my grades will drop and that I will lag behind. There was so much negative energy so I decided I was not going to prove people wrong but prove myself right. I knew that I could do it and that I won’t be the first or last to get married and still graduate with good grades, I motivated myself that I was going to make a first class regardless of whether I’m married, whether I have a child, or whatever. So that was my second motivation. And then my husband kept motivating me. He kept telling me I could achieve a first class and that I could achieve anything I set my mind to achieve.
What influenced your decision to get married at that time?
I fell in love with my husband, Pastor Gospel Ashamole and we both decided we were not going to engage in pre-marital intimacy but continue to serve God. So while I was 200 level, we decided to get married but delay childbirth and that was what we did in 2022.
Who made up your support system during this period?
My mum kept encouraging me and my husband. He would help me with my homework, wake up at night with me to do assignments, research, and stuff. He was a great motivation to me, he spoke words of affirmation, encouragement, and helped me wherever he could and I’m really grateful for that.
What was your study routine like?
Actually, before I start reading, I first glance through my notes and textbooks. I scan through them, then go back and begin reading properly while taking notes. I jot down points in simple, sometimes unusual words. By the time I’m done with those short notes, which I call summaries, I use them as my main text for study.
Whenever I get confused, I go back to the original text to understand the author’s exact point. I also use acronyms a lot to remember long or complex information that I might not easily recall. I create acronyms that are easy for me to remember, which helps me retrieve the main ideas quickly.
How did you successfully balance the demands of marriage with your academic pursuits?
Balancing marriage and academics was quite challenging and demanding, but it was also a valuable experience. As I mentioned earlier, there were many speculations that I wouldn’t do well in school. However, I had already resolved that no matter what, I would come out at the top.
First, I made up my mind to excel academically and worked consistently toward that goal, even when it became very difficult. My husband was very supportive; he didn’t place demands that would jeopardize my studies and was actively involved in my academic journey. At times, he helped with cooking, assignments, and household chores so I could focus on reading, attending online classes, and completing my work.
I believe I achieved this because I had the right mindset and the right partner. Above all, I give all the glory to God Almighty because, without Him, my strength would have failed me along the way. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed and wanted to give up, but God sustained me, and I relied on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Whenever I felt exhausted, I prayed for strength, and He helped me through both my academic journey and my marriage.
I also had to shuttle between my home and my school lodge, sometimes returning home on weekends or even during the week. There were periods when I stayed closer to school for days or weeks, as the distance from Owerri town to the school was considerable. The frequent travel was time-consuming and exhausting, but in the end, I achieved my goal.
