Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi - Jostum Speciality : Electrical Engineering
programme: Physics Engineering

I was admitted into the Industrial Physics department, which is widely regarded as one of the most challenging departments in the institution. The difficulty wasn’t just academic—the lecturers were known for being particularly strict, which made the journey even harder, especially coming from a low-income background.

My academic experience was mixed: I had a range of grades—A, B, C, D, and even F at some points. One incident that stood out was during 300-level second semester when we were asked to write our names and CGPAs on a sheet. We later found out this was used to reduce the number of students graduating with Second Class Upper, and even affected the only First Class candidate. When results came out, over 80% of us had a carryover in one course, and many were pushed down to a Second Class Lower. Some gave up, but I stayed focused.

In my final year, I worked hard and bounced back to finish with a Second Class Upper. I made a conscious decision to avoid distractions like relationships, which helped me stay focused. I was also committed to attending FCS (Fellowship of Christian Students), which strengthened my spiritual life and gave me the resilience to face the many challenges, including hunger and personal struggles.

Despite everything, I’m proud to say I conquered.