Samad Adetunji’s seven-year pharmacy journey at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State is one filled with lots of mixed memories. First off, the programme was supposed to run for five straight years, however with incessant strikes embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant lockdown and other disruptions, Samad ended up spending two more years before graduating.
However, waiting extra two years wasn’t even Samad’s greatest worry, it was losing his dear father at the very beginning of his pharmaceutical journey at OAU. It was particularly painful for him because his father inspired him to study the course and was ready to go all out to ensure his beloved son achieved that lofty dream. Unfortunately, his dad didn’t wait to see him become a pharmacist before passing to the great beyond.
While he mourned his late dad, Samad became even more hungry for success. He couldn’t afford to late down his mum who equally believed in his lofty dreams. With an unflinching faith in God, he saw every obstacle that came his way as prerequisite for success. Sometimes he felt overwhelmed but quitting was never one of the options on his table.
Now that the Ife journey has come to a brilliant end, Samad his open to taking it one step at a time to further his career, transition properly into professional practice including postgraduate education and international opportunities.
NewsClick Nigeria caught up with him in this exclusive interview and captured his responses below. Read on!
1. Congratulations on your passing out of Pharmacy School with Distinction. How was the journey to achieving this feat like for you?
Thank you very much. It was a long and challenging journey, but ultimately a very rewarding one. What was supposed to be a five-year programme stretched to about seven years due to ASUU strikes, the COVID-19 lockdown and other disruptions.
Beyond the academic challenges, I also lost my father around the beginning of my Pharmacy journey, which was particularly difficult because he was one of the people who supported my pursuit of Pharmacy.
Academically, it was not always smooth. I had difficult sessions and challenges. But I kept learning, improving and moving forward. Along the way, I also served as my class representative, various positions in the Great Ife Students’ Union, and had other responsibilities outside academics.
So, receiving a Distinction means much more to me than the grade itself. It represents resilience, the support of people who believed in me, and above all, Allah’s grace. Alhamdulillah, after everything, I can say the journey was worth it.
2. Have you always wanted to be a pharmacist from childhood or someone talked you into it? What motivated you to study Pharmacy and not any other course?
I wouldn’t say Pharmacy was a childhood dream. It became a deliberate choice for me as I grew older.
I actually attempted to study Pharmacy at the University of Ilorin before eventually gaining admission to OAU. I had setbacks along the way, but I remained interested in Pharmacy because I liked the combination of science, healthcare and the opportunity to directly contribute to people’s wellbeing.
As I progressed through Pharmacy School, I became even more convinced that I had chosen the right profession.
3. Can you share your high and low times both in the university and pharmacy school?
One of my lowest moments was losing my father at the beginning of my university journey. Academically, there were also difficult periods when I had results not up to my expectations. It was a grade index that could earn me a distinction, but I still wanted more.
But those experiences also became important turning points for me. I learnt to be more resilient, to identify my weaknesses and to keep improving.
My highs include seeing my academic performance improve, successfully completing my final-year research and defence, serving my classmates as a class representative throughout Pharmacy School, and eventually graduating with Distinction.
Signing out of IfePharmacy after almost seven years was particularly special because I could look back at the entire journey and appreciate how far I had come.
4. Do you have any inspirational figure? How was he/she able to inspire you to succeed?
I have several people I am grateful to, but my late father remains one of my biggest inspirations. He supported my educational journey and believed in me before I eventually became a pharmacist.
My mother has also been a major source of strength, especially through difficult periods.
I am equally grateful to Prof. Raifu Durodoye, who supported my education financially from Part 1 until I graduated. My supervisor, Dr. A.J. Adegbola, also had a significant impact on me academically and professionally.
Beyond individuals, my faith in Allah has been a constant source of strength. I believe the people who supported me at different stages were part of Allah’s provision for the journey.
5. Did you at any time consider quitting the programme over challenges faced?
There were definitely moments when I felt overwhelmed and questioned how much longer I could continue. Seven years is a long time, especially when you have academic, personal challenges, and other responsibilities.
But even when I was tired of the journey, I never really stopped wanting the destination. I still wanted to become a pharmacist.
So I kept going, took the setbacks as lessons and reminded myself that a difficult phase does not mean the entire journey has failed. Alhamdulillah, I am glad I persevered.
6. What are your immediate and future plans now that you have graduated?
My immediate plan is to transition properly into professional practice, complete my internship and NYSC, and gain meaningful practical experience.
I am also interested in research and pharmacometrics, which became particularly interesting to me through my final-year project.
In the longer term, I am open to postgraduate education and international opportunities. Ultimately, I want to build a career where I can contribute meaningfully to healthcare and the Pharmacy profession.
For now, I am taking it one step at a time and trusting Allah to guide the journey.
7. Any advice for students with the same career choice as yours?
Don’t allow one bad result to define your entire journey.
Pharmacy School can be difficult, and you may have courses you struggle with, disappointing results or moments when you question yourself. Learn from those moments, seek help when necessary and keep improving.
Also, don’t focus only on grades. Develop your communication, character, discipline, leadership and ability to work with people because those qualities matter greatly in professional practice.
Most importantly, be patient with your journey. My own journey took longer than I expected, I left high school in 2016 but graduated from the university in 2026. It took me 10 years but I eventually got to the destination.
Work hard, pray, surround yourself with good people, and keep going. Your timeline may be different from someone else’s, and that’s okay. God’s timing is always greater than ours.