By Josephine Nwachukwu
Faith Aduragbemi Olabisi, a native of Osun state and a student at the University of Ilorin, recently attained an extraordinary milestone by becoming a chartered accountant at age 18. Her success has attracted widespread admiration, as she continues to inspire young scholars and aspiring professionals alike.
In an exclusive interview with Credible News, Faith shared her journey, offering insights into the motivation and determination that propelled her to pursue a career in accounting at such a young age.
A Dream Turned Reality
Faith’s ambition to become an accountant was clear from a young age. Growing up as the first child in her family, with a younger sister, Faith has always been surrounded by a strong support system. However, when asked to elaborate on her family background, she humbly shared that she is the first child and has a younger sister, but was unwilling to say more.
Her mother, a chartered accountant herself, played a pivotal role in encouraging Faith to pursue her dream. “I always wanted to be an accountant, but I initially said I wouldn’t write ICAN because of the stories I heard about how difficult it was. However, my mother wasn’t having it,” Faith disclosed. Her mother’s encouragement played a key role in pushing Faith to pursue her dream despite the challenges.
Faith started her journey to fame in March, 2022 by taking the first stage of the ICAN exams. To her surprise, she found the early stages manageable, as much of the topics had already been covered in secondary school. While the subsequent stages grew more difficult, Faith remained determined, inspired by her mother’s example and resolve. “I decided that I could do it and would give it my best,” she added.
Overcoming Challenges and Maintaining Focus
Balancing her academic workload at the university with the rigorous ICAN exam requirements presented significant challenges for Faith. The ICAN exams consist of five stages, held twice a year, with the first three stages completed before she gained university admission. This timing allowed Faith to focus solely on her studies. However, things became more complicated when she had to manage the final stages of the ICAN exams alongside her university coursework.
Faith’s determination was tested when she had to cancel her industrial training to attend ICAN classes. With most students returning home for the holidays, Faith stayed back in the deserted campus to attend daily ICAN lectures. “It wasn’t easy—transportation was difficult, almost everyone had left school, and the campus was deserted. I had nowhere to stay off-campus, so I remained in the school hostel,” she explained.
Getting food also became a challenge for Faith. Since school was not in session, all the campus markets were closed. “Most of the things I needed, I had to buy off-campus,” she said. Despite these daily struggles, she stayed focused and determined to attend every class, even when it meant overcoming logistical and personal challenges.
In addition to daunting challenges, Faith revealed the emotional toll of the journey. “I cried so many times—I came back almost every day in tears because I didn’t understand the classes,” she said. “I felt like the dumbest student in the room.” Despite the challenges, Faith kept pushing through, ensuring she did not miss any classes, even if it meant sacrificing her convenience. Once school resumed in October, Faith had to hit the ground running with preparations for her exams in November, often missing her university lectures to stay focused on her ICAN studies.
Support from University and Mentors
Faith’s success was also made possible by the support of the University of Ilorin and her tutorial center, Springboard Associates. She is grateful for the university’s efforts in structuring exam timetables that accommodated ICAN candidates. “I didn’t know that my faculty management would structure the timetable in such a way that ICAN exams wouldn’t clash with school exams,” she said.
Faith also credited her tutorial center for playing an instrumental role in her success. “I honestly don’t think I would have passed the exams without them,” she admitted. Despite facing challenges in understanding the class, Faith’s perseverance kept her going. “The owner of the center was always particular about me. I felt like he was bullying me in class because every time he was teaching, he would throw questions at me. He always knew when I didn’t understand something,” she recalled. Looking back, Faith admitted that the magnanimity of the proprietor of the center helped her grow, pushing her to get more confident and succeed.
Advice for Aspiring Young Professionals
Faith’s advice to other young people aspiring to achieve academic and professional success is simple: “Don’t give up. Just keep trying. Nothing good comes easy, and you must always be willing to make sacrifices.”
Future Plans
Having achieved this remarkable feat at 18, Faith’s journey is far from over. When asked about her future plans, she retorted: “For now, I’ll focus on school and then begin my Association of Chartered Certified Accountants journey”. A signal that even greater accomplishments lie ahead.
Faith also stated that, by God’s grace, she would be graduating from the University of Ilorin in 2026.
Faith Aduragbemi Olabisi’s story is one of determination, resilience, and inspiration. Her achievements serve as a powerful nudge that age is no barrier to success. For young scholars across the globe, Faith’s journey is proof of the power of perseverance and hard work in actualizing one’s dreams.
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