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Interview: “Leadership Stretched Me, but It Shaped Me” — Faruk Abiona, Former Al-Ansar Chairman

This interview explores the journey of Faruk Adeniyi Abiona, a graduate of Agricultural Biochemistry and Nutrition whose time at the University of Ibadan extended beyond academics. Through roles in MSSNUI, he gained experiences that shaped his growth and sense of purpose. In this conversation, he reflects on key moments, challenges, and lessons, offering guidance to students and insight into balancing knowledge with responsibility.

Congratulations on your convocation! Reflecting on your journey at the University of Ibadan, what is one moment that stands out as a turning point for you?

Well, the real turning point came when I got involved with the Muslim Students’ Society and the Correctional Service Visitation Committee. It gave me a sense of purpose and reminded me that my journey wasn’t just about earning a degree but also about service and positive impact.

University life is a period of growth and self-discovery. What’s one lesson you learned about yourself during your time at UI that you’ll carry forward?

Well, I learned that relying on Allah and staying consistent always pays off. There were moments when things didn’t go as planned, but each challenge reminded me to stay calm and do my best. That’s a lesson I’ll hold on to beyond the university wall.

Before your tenure as Chairman of Al-Ansar Foundation, you led the Correctional Service Visitation Committee. What lessons did you draw from that experience?

Before my tenure as Chairman of Al-Ansar Foundation, leading the Correctional Service Visitation Committee taught me that having absolute freedom where you are not held by something is truly a blessing, and that compassion for human beings regardless of their past, most especially as a Muslim, is essential.

You had an impressive stint as the Chairman of the Al-Ansar Foundation under MSSNUI. How did this role shape your university experience and personal development?

It shaped my experience in a positive way.

Serving as the Chairman of Al-Ansar Foundation was one of the most important parts of my university experience. It taught me leadership rooted in service and empathy.

It also reminded me that leadership is not just about titles. Especially as an Al-Ansar Chairman, you have to ensure others have the support they need to thrive.

Balancing academics with leadership responsibilities isn’t easy. What strategies did you use to manage your time effectively, and how did your academic performance reflect your efforts?

One thing leadership really teaches you is how to manage your time well. As a leader, you have to learn how to balance your responsibilities with your academics.

Personally, I know how I read and assimilate, when I can study best, how many pages I can cover, and how to adjust if there’s an impromptu test and I haven’t prepared.

These things shaped the way I approached my courses. For the ones I knew might be a bit tougher, I worked on them first before moving to those I could easily cover even a few days before the exam.

As a member of the Shuurah Committee in your final year, what qualities did you look for in potential leaders, and how did you balance merit with other considerations?

In the Shuurah Committee, I learned that true leadership is about sincerity and service, not position. We prioritized qualities like integrity, commitment, emotional intelligence, amanah (trustworthiness) and taqwa, and the willingness to sacrifice for the ummah. Merit was important, but we also considered attitude, consistency, and how well someone worked with others. Balancing merit with other considerations required fairness and collective consultation.

What really inspired you to study Agricultural Biochemistry and Nutrition?

Agricultural Biochemistry and Nutrition is one of the options under Animal Science. There’s a popular saying that students in the Faculty of Agriculture are “wounded medical students,” but my story is quite different. I have loved animals right from the start.

Growing up, my family kept several ruminant animals, and I was always the one responsible for managing them. My passion for animals led me to apply through JAMB to study Agriculture at the University of Ilorin, but I wasn’t offered admission. I decided to enroll at Moor Plantation to study Animal Health and Production Technology, where I did well. After then, I gained Direct Entry admission into the University of Ibadan.

When we got to 300 level in the Faculty, we were introduced to the two available options in our department: Animal Science (ANS) and Agricultural Biochemistry and Nutrition (ABN). After listening to what each entailed, I chose ABN because it aligned more closely with my interests.

You’ve been part of various initiatives and held multiple leadership roles. What’s one challenge you faced that had a lasting impact on you, and how did you overcome it?

I would say managing the pressure that comes with leadership. Making decisions that affect others wasn’t always easy. There were moments I felt stretched, but in all, I was able to manage it one way or the other.

Looking back, what advice would you give to your freshman self about making the most of university life, both academically and extracurricularly?

I would tell my freshman self to take things one step at a time. Don’t rush the process, focus on learning and get good grades, sincerely minimum of second class upper.

Get involved in meaningful activities, build good relationships, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.

Also, if you feel you don’t like the course you are studying and you aren’t ready to go through the stress of JAMB and Post-UTME to get your desired course. Instead of wasting your time doing what you don’t like. Get started with what you had like to do (entrepreneurship, tech skills or anything productive) while still studying the course you said you don’t like. Don’t drop out, abeg.

As someone who has recently convocated, what message would you like to leave behind for current students?

Well, I will say, if you know you have the brain and strongness to achieve good grades, do so.

Secondly, if you’re not a NEPO baby or don’t have strong connections to put you in places, please make sure you have something doing, even if it brings in just a little, before you graduate.

Thirdly, have good friends and build good relationships before you graduate.

With some months having passed since your graduation, how do you think your university experiences have prepared you for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead?

No matter how prepared you think you are, life after graduation will still move you a bit. Life in UI was full of ups and downs, but those experiences really shaped me. In one way or another, they prepared me for what comes after school, how to handle challenges, stay focused, and keep moving forward regardless of the situation.