By AfrikTimes interviewed Dumebi Valerie Duru, the 2025 valedictorian of Pan-Atlantic University, who recently went viral on social media after graduating with a perfect 5.0 CGPA, garnering over one million views on media platforms.
Dumebi, a graduate of the Department of Computer Science for the 2024–2025 academic session, shared insights into her academic journey and her plans for the future.
Can you tell us about yourself and your academic journey studying Computer Science at Pan-Atlantic University?
My name is Dumebi Valerie Duru, a recent graduate and the 2025 valedictorian at Pan-Atlantic University. I enjoy reading novels, 3D puzzles, and frontend development. My academic journey studying Computer Science at Pan-Atlantic University was a fun one. I studied, hung out with friends, attended school events, and I was able to express myself a lot.
You graduated with a perfect 5.0 CGPA. What was your experience working toward that goal during your time at the university?
I would say my experience was a good one, although I sometimes got anxious that I would be unable to attain it. The 5.0 CGPA goal was something I set for myself the moment I entered the university. I knew I had to read and understand as much as possible, and I also needed to take all forms of assessments (group and individual) very seriously. I tried to aim for a minimum of 90% in every course. I couldn’t always get it, but I still felt it was good to try. I read with my close friends often, explained some course contents to my classmates, reached out to fellow students and lecturers for help, and always said a Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your studies, and how did you overcome them?
Regarding my studies, there were some courses that I would find challenging, either because I didn’t understand the course content or know the best way to convey my answers in the test for the course. I overcame them by prayers, doing my own research using resources, studying with my friends, and reaching out to friends and lecturers when I needed help. This is because the 5.0 CGPA goal wasn’t something I could easily give up on, so I had no other option but to keep pushing. Essentially, I told myself, ‘Yakubu, manage.’
Were there mentors, lecturers, or role models who supported or inspired you during this journey?
My role models were my friends, especially Clement Obieke and Miracle Nnadiukwu, who supported me in the journey of achieving my goals. I also had my mentor who was assigned to me by the school when I was in first year support me a lot. Aside from that, several lecturers in the school also cheered me on. My family members (both nuclear and extended) also inspired me greatly during my journey, and I am glad I was able to make them proud, especially my parents.
What study routines or habits helped you stay consistent and maintain such a strong academic record?
I didn’t follow a study timetable, but I usually tried to start reading around the second week of the semester. The idea was to start reading when the semester workload wasn’t heavy, so that when I did eventually have multiple tests a week, the reading for a course would become easier and be more of a revision session. So, after class, I would stay back for about an hour with my friend to study that day’s content. Then, I would still read by myself when I got back to my room, but it wasn’t an everyday thing. When studying, I also did not confine myself to the contents of the notes only. I read textbooks and watched YouTube videos to further my understanding and to make the course more fun for me. For tests and exams, I reached out to those in higher levels for advice on how to pass some courses. And during revision week before exams, I read with my friends every day, asking one another questions, clarifying and arguing out some points, and reviewing the tests done for the course, as well as past exam questions.
Based on your experience, what practical advice would you give to students who want to excel academically in university?
Advice I would give is to find yourself in a good support system and to never stop praying. My friends helped me through my journey, so make good and diligent friends. It’s also important to have fun when you can to avoid stress compounding, and also because it’s genuinely good to have fun. But don’t get carried away.
Now that you have graduated as the best student in your class, what are your next plans and goals in the field of technology?
Well, my plan is to get as much valuable knowledge and experience as possible in the field of technology and attain a Master’s degree in a few years from now. I am considering Computer Engineering and Networking because I picked up some interest in them during my undergraduate years. I also hope to improve my final year project on AI in urban planning when I attain better resources for it, as I intend to have it applied.
