UNILAG Star Graduate Turns Hallelujah Challenge Declaration into First-Class Reality

University of Lagos medical laboratory science graduate shared how she prayed, visualised herself graduating with distinction during a Hallelujah Challenge, then ended up finishing with a first-class honours degree against the odds.

A fresh graduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Ahona Victory Eniola, has shared an inspiring testimony of how faith, prayer, and consistent effort helped her graduate with a first-class honours degree in Medical Laboratory Science, despite initially slim chances. Eniola revealed that her academic breakthrough followed her participation in the February edition of the Hallelujah Challenge, a popular midnight praise and worship programme founded by Nigerian gospel singer and pastor Nathaniel Bassey. According to her account, she took part in the programme’s “Dress Like Your Miracle” session, where participants symbolically dressed as the version of themselves they hoped to become.

Acting in faith, Eniola dressed like a distinction student and went a step further by creating a cardboard replica of a UNILAG certificate of distinction, even though her CGPA at the time was around 4.0 and the odds of graduating with first class appeared low. She explained that the act was not just symbolic. Alongside prayer, she committed herself to intense studying and academic discipline. Her determination paid off as her grades steadily improved, culminating in a final CGPA of 4.51, which earned her a first-class honours degree. Notably, her CGPA in her first year was 3.47, making her achievement even more remarkable.

Eniola shared her testimony in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on March 1, saying she felt encouraged to speak out after seeing the testimonies of other participants. She posted photos of the cardboard certificate she made during the challenge, as well as images from her graduation, proudly displaying the real distinction certificate she later received. Her post quickly gained attention online, with many Nigerians celebrating her success. Social media users congratulated her and described her story as a powerful example of faith meeting hard work.