For the first time in 40 years since its establishment in 1984, the Lagos State University (LASU) has produced its first graduate with a First Class Honours degree in History and International Studies, Temitope Ayeobasa.

The Head of the Department of History and International Studies, Professor Adeyeri Olusegun, who disclosed this in an interview with the Vanguard said 21-year-old Ayeobasa’s results were approved by the Senate in the early hours of Friday, October 18, 2024.

According to Prof. Olusegun, this is a first for the department since its establishment. 

“Ayeobasan Temitope has shown resilience from her 100 level until now. She deserves it. This is the first of its kind since this school was established in 1984,”he said. 

Speaking on retaining her, Prof. Adeyeri added,” She’s an adult; whether she would want to be retained will depend on her. But I know for sure that wherever she goes, she will need a good mentor to help her advance.” 

Reflecting on her achievement, Ayeobasan noted that her initial plan was to study law, but she fell in love with history along the way. 

“I finished secondary school in 2020, and I ‘m 21 years old. I actually never wanted to study history, due to certain circumstances. I had to settle for it temporarily while waiting for a transfer to law. But along the line, I fell in love with it and decided to stay,” she said.

“At first, I wasn’t sure I would achieve a First Class because I didn’t initially want to study history, but I adhered to my mantra: Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well,’ so I put my all into it.”