“Is School Really a Scam?” Today, in our interview, we have Anastasia Ononuju, a 400-level law student from the University of Ibadan, who emerged as the overall top performer among the top five in the BOSAN scholarship program with a total percentage of 83.4%.
Interestingly, the University of Ibadan had two students in the top ranks: Anastasia Ononuju and Akinkunmi Emmanuel Adebayo, also a 400-level law student, who secured the third position with a percentage of 79.5%. The BOSAN scholarship is an esteemed annual program where the top five awardees receive a 1 million cash prize each.
Established by the Body of Senior Advocates in Nigeria, the aim is to elevate standards by awarding scholarships based on competence to the best students of Nigerian law universities who have demonstrated their worthiness as BOSAN scholars.
Interview:
1. Can you share your journey of achieving the highest mark among the top five in the BOSAN Scholar program? What were some of the key challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Answer: “Thank you for your kind words! The journey was short but life-changing. It was filled with different emotions, mostly fear and hope and ultimately, joy. Two of the many challenges are notable.
The first was the scope of what was to be read. I was told that the questions were set from all the courses from year one to law school, whether or not you took the course as an elective or your school offers it, you have to know the course content and know it well.
In all honesty, with the short timing of a few days to prepare for it and my busy school life, I had to select some courses and pray more than I read. I had an idea of the courses I did not take and some key case laws and God handled the rest
The second challenge was getting a quiet environment with a stable power supply where I would not be distracted. I knew it was not my hostel, or the library, or anywhere in school, because a phone could ring out loud in those places and I may get disqualified. So I had to travel to Lagos to take the exam. It was not easy as I had to miss classes and spend the money I was managing”.
2. As a recipient of the prestigious BOSAN Scholarship Award, how did it feel to be recognized for your academic brilliance and leadership potential within the legal profession?
Answer: I felt and still feel overjoyed, ecstatic, like a barren woman who just delivered of twins, that kind of feeling.
3. In your opinion, what improvements could be made to the BOSAN Scholar program to make it even more attractive and beneficial for aspiring law students?
Answer: There is no improvement per se, but an increase in the number of the beneficiaries would be much appreciated.
4. What advice would you give to other law students who aspire to win the BOSAN Scholar program in the future? Are there any specific strategies or approaches you found particularly effective during your preparation?
Answer: “First, pray hard, because you are competing with hundreds of others who merit it as well and it is only a few that would be awarded. Second, work hard and work smart. Third, reach out to past recipients. Fourth, have a positive mindset.
There are no specific approach, in all honesty. I know I prayed really hard and I think other candidates prayed as hard as I did. Just do your best”.
5. How do you envision leveraging your BOSAN Scholarship Award to further your career goals and contribute to the legal landscape in Nigeria?
Answer: The scholarship will pay for my law school fees and ultimately, I become a lawyer, by the grace of God.
When I become a lawyer, I intend to have a scholarship program to pay for the law school fees of students to encourage them. In the long run, I intend to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and part of the Corporate Social Responsibility is taking up cases for free (pro bono). So, I intend to provide my services for free to those who need it and cannot afford it.
6. Reflecting on your experience, what do you believe sets BOSAN Scholar program apart from other scholarship opportunities for law students, and why should aspiring scholars strive to be a part of it?
Answer: BOSAN Scholarship is one of a kind. First, it is for first-class law students only. So you know you are going up against exceptional students from different schools, Second, if you progress to the interview stage, it is a testament to your brilliance and it gives you a sense of fulfilment.
I think you should strive to be one because it makes you more confident in yourself and sells you in a good light to firms where you aspire to work. It is one of those things that makes you easily employable.
So you’ve heard from Ana, strive to be the best!
Congratulations Ana????????????