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“I sat for UTME four times, not because I failed, but…” — Kawthar Abdulmojeed, Former ADoS

In this interview, Kawthar Abdulmojeed, a Geography graduate and former Assistant Director of Studies of the Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria, University of Ibadan (MSSNUI), shares her journey of academic excellence, leadership, and entrepreneurship. From overcoming challenges to finding success in academics, business, and faith, the interview offers valuable insights into the experiences that shaped her university life and beyond.

Graduating from the University of Ibadan is no small feat. What was that moment like when you realised all your hard work had paid off?

AlhamduliLlah, when the graduating list, BOL, was released, I didn't feel like my hard work had paid off. Nevertheless, I'm still grateful to Allah for the blessing of graduating from the first and the best.

What inspired you to choose Geography as your field of study?

I didn't choose Geography; I was offered Geography. The passion I developed for it was me failing forward.

Walk us through your academic experiences, challenges, and key moments.

My grandmother sowed the seed of love for education and academics in me. I attended private primary and secondary schools throughout. AlhamduliLlah. My major academic challenge was gaining admission into a higher institution. I sat for UTME four times, not because I failed, but because the admission just didn’t work out, except for the first time (2016). I scored 198 that year, even as the Senior Prefect Girl of my school. It's not me; na JAMB know wetin happen to them.

Initially, I didn’t want to come to UI because it doesn’t offer Accounting, and honestly, I didn’t want to stay in Ibadan since my family lives here. I actually gained admission, but it was withdrawn because I didn’t have Government in my O'level. At that point, I was broken and ready to give up.

But again, Dr. Ojedokun said, “Bami ni admission office,” and that was how I was offered Geography instead. I was planning to write another UTME to pursue Economics, but I fell in love with Geography in my first year. I finished the year with the best CGPA—3.45. It wasn’t First Class; I wasn't exactly excited about it but was proud of it in my head: “I'm back on track”—I was the best student from my SSS1 till SS3 and graduated as the valedictorian. It motivated me to do better. With mentors like Faithwin Gbadamosi, I became confident that I was on the right path in the field. I bagged a First Class in my second and third years and still had the best CGPA in my level and the whole department.

What inspired you to start AKO Treats, and how did you grow it while still a student?

I started AKO TREATS during the 8-month ASUU strike. I’ve always loved baking. I learned baking as a skill, I still remember my grandmother paying 30k in 2016 for me to learn it properly, along with event decorations. Before then, I had participated in a short baking course. I remember finishing as the best student and being given my first hand mixer. Before turning it into a business, I would bake for people for free, as long as they bought the ingredients. I just love doing it.

Before gaining admission, I had another business — local bread nylon making, but it went out of vogue. So I needed another source of income. And what better to monetize than something you're passionate about?

Honestly, I didn’t exactly grow it while I was a student, I just tried. But what really kept me going was the feedback and reviews I got from my customers. That encouragement meant everything. And of course, the love I have for it, and the fact that some orders come in when I'm sometimes broke, it comes in handy.

What are your plans for the future, professionally, spiritually, and personally?

Professionally: Postgraduate studies and employment in the health sector,Research, or academia. In shaa Allah

Spiritually: To get closer to my Rabb, continue learning the Deen, particularly Qur’an memorization, and perform Hajj. In shaa Shaa Allah

Personally: Family, social impact, crush the goals, make the billions, and simply live and enjoy life. Peace, ease, and rizq, bi idhnillah.

Do you have any vision for how young Muslims can combine their Deen with excellence in academics and business?

It starts with intentionality. Do you really want to do it? If you do, you’ll find a way. Strive to be a model of excellence. Find what works for you, stay consistent, and make Du’as.

How did you manage to balance your academic responsibilities, leadership roles, and running AKO Treats?

Honestly, there’s never a perfect balance, it’s more about priorities. I attend to what’s most pressing at the moment. And to be sincere, my business is always the last on the list. My customers can definitely relate! I often tell them, “I can’t deliver now,” or “I’m currently not taking orders.”

So no, I didn’t balance everything. I prioritized what needed to be done at a time. There are weeks when it's just extracurriculars I'm focusing on, tending only to assignments and attending classes for academics. In other weeks, it's a bit of extracurriculars and more focus on my academics.

If you could give advice to your first-year university self, what would it be?

Shoot your shot shamelessly! Kawthar, have more grit and consistency. Apply for scholarships and opportunities, both local and international. Those are things I didn’t do well early enough. I wasn’t exposed to that phase early enough, and I would have definitely advised myself to explore more opportunities.

What was your journey like as the Assistant Director of Studies of MSSNUI?

It’s a significant part of my university life, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served in that capacity. I pray Allah SWT accept it from me and from all of us. It was a rollercoaster. Being an MSSNUI executive is a full-time job. I loved the people, especially my freshmen in both the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 sessions. There were days I cried about their results, and there were days I was super proud of them. I’m glad I served them, and I wish them nothing but success. The Directorate of Studies does a lot for the Muslim Ummah academically for the sake of Allah; we ask Allah SWT to accept it from everyone in the Directorate.

Funny enough, I wasn’t that close to the society before becoming an executive, and I didn’t expect the appointment. It was based on the trust someone had in my ability, and that motivated me to do better.

Working with Ameer Musa Sodiq and Abdulbaseet Olayinka was an experience. We had our ups and downs, but I’m grateful I got to work with them and I could say we had amazing administrations. Ameer Ibrahim Obakemi also taught me about an ideal leadership that prioritizes its people. And my sisters!-Sister Circle, maa shaa Allah, AlhamduliLlah for their gift too. MSSNUI gives you as much as it takes from you. It was a tough task, but it was easier with the relationships formed.

Share a particular challenge you faced in your MSSNUI leadership role and how you overcame it.

I can be “overzealous”, as they say. I'm blessed with a lot of energy, Alhamdulilah and I can’t overlook wrongdoings without doing something. In a Muslim environment like MSSNUI, that can be seen as an issue by some people. Some people think it means I'm too outspoken and other names they use. I was even told I was doing too much.

Did I overcome it? Not really. Those types of people just learned to live with it, and everyone turned out fine in the end. My main concern is always: Am I doing what pleases Allah? Am I hurting someone? If the answer is yes and No respectively, then everyone else will be fine.

You've been described as quick to support sisters in need; where does your empathy stem from?

"Empathy is one of the least you can contribute to make this world a better place," and that sums up everything. I think it’s just natural for me. I grew up nurturing others. I’ve had my own struggles, and I don’t like seeing others go through pain or struggle and not do my bit to ease it. The Prophet’s (SAW) hadith about removing harm from a believer keeps me going too. Plus, I saw it as my responsibility to support these students. I'm appointed to this role because of them, and since I accepted it, I just have to live up to the task. And very importantly, I believe everyone needs help at some point, and I’m always happy to offer mine.

What are your plans after graduation?

Postgraduate studies, marriage, job, business, making billions... continuous learning and I’m also passionate about social impact, so I’ll be exploring one, in shaa Allah. All of these are for the book sha (LOL). Allah is the best planner and knows what's next for us.

What advice would you give to students to hold on to during their time at university?

This is the best place to build your brand. Build shamelessly. Prioritize your academics. School is not a scam. Make an impact, build meaningful relationships, and do not stake your Deen. Be you-not in the lackadaisical way, the world will adjust.