Sherifat Oshoala, the younger sister of Super Falcons player Asisat Oshoala, was one of the 6,659 students awarded postgraduate degrees at the University of Lagos’ 55th Convocation on January 16. This remarkable achievement follows just four years after she graduated with a first-class honours in Mass Communication (Broadcast), where she was named the Best Graduating Student. Sherifat’s success adds another milestone to the Oshoala family’s legacy.
In a recent interview, Sherifat Oshoala, reflecting on her decision to pursue a Master’s degree, shared the challenges she faced. “Taking on the Master’s programme was a challenging decision, as I had questions about my readiness,” she admitted. “But once I was in, I set my sights on the goal. It was a dream, but it quickly felt distant as the programme turned out to be intensive and demanding. It definitely wasn’t a walk in the park,” Sherifat added, highlighting the determination and hard work required to achieve her success.
Sherifat Oshoala shared her perspective on balancing academics with professional growth. “I believe academics alone cannot shape you,” she remarked. “There’s a need to broaden my career scope, so I will be focusing on professional development for a while. This isn’t to say I won’t explore more courses down the line, but for now, my main focus will be on advancing my career.” Sherifat’s outlook emphasizes a well-rounded approach to personal and professional development.
In her advice to others, Sherifat Oshoala encouraged a balanced approach to success. “I would urge them to aim for a balance between academic excellence and life skills, as I like to call them, not mere soft skills,” she said. “Good grades are important, and I’m all for them! But your academic success has to coexist with life skills like communication, presentation, critical thinking, networking, and more. These are skills that will serve you not just professionally but in everyday situations too.” Sherifat’s emphasis on life skills highlights the importance of a well-rounded education.
