A brilliant Nigerian man, Stephen Sunday Adebowale, has earned a master’s degree in Mathematics from Ohio University in the United States, continuing a journey of faith, perseverance, and purpose that began years ago at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
Stephen began his academic journey at LAUTECH in 2015. Initially, he had planned to study Civil Engineering, but just before sitting for his post-UTME examination, he faced a heartbreaking loss—his father passed away.
Despite the emotional toll, Stephen gathered the strength to take the examination. However, when the results came out, his score fell below the required cutoff, and it seemed his dream of attending university that year might not come true.
He considered applying to a polytechnic, but then something unexpected happened. He received a rare notification to reprint and check his aggregate score, a process that is very rare.
When he checked, his post-UTME score had been updated and increased to 50%. For others, the score dropped, but for Stephen, it rose. He was stunned and believed it was nothing short of divine intervention.
Soon after, his name appeared on the first batch of admission offers and he was accepted to study Pure and Applied Mathematics. Though he initially planned to transfer to Civil Engineering in his second year, he eventually developed a passion for Mathematics.
During his undergraduate years, Stephen recalled days without rest and moments where he had nothing but hope and determination. He leaned on his faith and kept pushing forward, determined to complete his education.
In 2023, he continued his academic journey at Ohio University, where he pursued a master’s degree in Applied Mathematics.
After two intense years of learning, research, and mentorship, he graduated in 2025, describing the experience as one that tested his strength and deepened his resolve.
During his time at Ohio University, Stephen served as a Teaching Assistant, guiding students and sharing his love for the subject.
He focused on research related to public health, disease modeling, and optimization, using mathematics to address real-world challenges and solidify his foundation for future work.
Reflecting on his achievement, Stephen described it as a testament to resilience and the support of the people who stood by him. He expressed gratitude to his family, friends, mentors, colleagues, and professors at Ohio University, all of whom made the foreign land feel like home.
Above all, he paid tribute to his late father, whose belief in his dreams and early sacrifices remain his greatest source of strength. “This achievement is as much his as it is mine,” Stephen said.
As he looks forward to a future filled with research and impact, Stephen carries with him the lessons, love, and support that shaped his path.
