Opemipo Ogunkeyede, A student of Microbiology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU. Ile Ife, speaks to OGHENOVO EGODO-MICHAEL on how she bagged over 100 certificates
Tell us about your background?
My family has been an integral part of my journey. I grew up in a close-knit family in Ogun State, with both of my parents working hard to provide for the family. My family believes in the power of education, determination, personal growth, and development.
My mum is a trader, while my dad is an AutoCAD Draftsman. As a young child, I had an unmatched thirst for knowledge. However, as I grew older, financial difficulties threatened to stifle my passion for education.
What are your educational qualifications?
I am a currently a 100-level student of Microbiology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State.
I completed my secondary education at the age of 14, but due to some financial challenges, I was not able to further my studies till I turned 18. However, that was not enough to stop me. I channeled my energy into personal development and honing different digital skills. I immersed myself in various fields, exploring every opportunity to learn and grow.
At the age of 18, I have achieved something I never thought of—over 121 certifications, badges and honours from prestigious international organisations, such as the World Health Organisation, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, Hewlett Packard, Asian Development Bank, US Institute of Peace, Young African Leaders Initiative, Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Honour Society and Reuters, among others.
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Aside from being a student, what else do you do?
As someone with a passion for creating positive change, I am involved in several initiatives.
First, I am an advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals, and I actively work towards achieving goals four, 13, 14 and 15 through my advocacy, volunteerism, research, events and projects. I believe everyone has a role to play in achieving these goals, and I am dedicated to doing my part.
Recently, I founded an organisation called Sustainovate, which is a youth-led organisation dedicated to addressing plastic pollution and the climate change crisis through innovative and sustainable solutions. With a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship, the orgamisation is dedicated to promoting awareness and action towards reducing the amount of plastic waste that is produced; as well as finding creative ways to repurpose and recycle plastic materials.
In addition to my work on the SDGs, I am a climate activist and environmentalist. I am deeply committed to protecting the planet and raising awareness about the urgent need for action on climate change. Through my advocacy and volunteer work, I have inspired others to take action and make a positive impact on the environment.
I am also a digital and soft skills trainer, and I founded a digital skills training academy called Skills Beyond in 2020. My goal is to equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in the digital era, and to provide them with opportunities to thrive and succeed in their personal and professional lives beyond just education.
How were you able to get 121 certifications, badges and honours?
Acquiring 121 certifications, badges, and honours from international organisations was a remarkable feat, which was driven by my relentless pursuit of self-improvement, and a desire to make a difference in the world.
The thirst for knowledge and continuous learning inspired me to push my limits and embark on this journey. I understood that in today’s ever-changing world, staying knowledgeable is crucial, and each certification added to my wealth of knowledge and equipped me with valuable skills.
The road to acquiring those certifications was not easy though, but I was driven by my passion. Balancing studies, personal life, and certification requirements was a challenge, but I was willing to make sacrifices, such as giving up leisure time and missing social events, to achieve my goal.
Tell us about some of the certificates you have been awarded?
I got a Certificate of Achievement: Management and Facilitation of After Action Review; Health Cluster Co-ordination; and Migration and Health: Enhancing Intercultural Competence and Diversity Sensitivity from the World Health Organisation.
I also got a Business Communications certificate from HP; as well as Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation certificate from the United States Institute of Peace
Earlier this year, I worked as an Application Reader for the 2023 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
Each certification was acquired within varying time frames, ranging from weeks to months. However, 85 per cent of the courses took me about two to five months, while about 15 per cent took me weeks.
What were some of the challenges you encountered while taking the courses?
Getting 121 certifications, badges and honours was not an easy task. I faced a few challenges that tested my dedication and commitment. One of my biggest challenges was finding a way to balance the demands of the courses and certifications with the other responsibilities and commitments in my life.
Balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities, home errands, volunteer work, and the certification courses was not an easy feat. It required a lot of discipline, organisation, and time management skills to be able to juggle all those responsibilities effectively. I had to prioritise my time and make sure I was managing my schedule effectively to ensure I could meet the requirements of the certifications, while still keeping up with my other responsibilities.
Also, my phone’s Internet connection was not always reliable, which led to interruptions in my course progress. I also encountered technical difficulties such as slow-loading pages, website errors, and broken links, which were more common when accessing course materials on my phone.
Do you have plans to take more courses or have a target number of certifications you aim to get?
I don’t have a specific target number of certifications in mind, but I am confident that my unquenchable thirst for knowledge will lead me to new and exciting opportunities for learning and growth. The journey is far from over, and I am excited to see where it takes me next.
Do you have physical copies of the certificates?
Most of the certificates are available in hard copies, but due to high shipping costs, I have been unable to access them physically. I had to resort to the other option, which was downloading and printing out the electronic version that came with them.
Which of the courses did you enjoy the most?
I found value in all of them. Each course provided me with unique and valuable learning experiences— from the foundational concepts to the more advanced ones. I appreciated the opportunity to expand my knowledge and skills through each course, and they all challenged me in different ways. It’s difficult for me to choose just one favourite, because they all contributed to my overall growth and development as a learner. While I don’t have a clear-cut answer, I can say that every course left a lasting impression on me, and played an important role in shaping me into who I am today.
How did you become a member of the United States Institute of Peace?
I became aware of the United States Institute of Peace a few years ago. While their programmes and courses (such as Tech, Environmentalism, Climate Activism, SDGs Advocacy, and Quality Educationist) seemed unrelated at first glance to my interests, I was happy to have creatively thought of a way knowledge from them would be applicable. As a girl in tech, I am interested in exploring the ways in which technology can be used to promote peace and environmental sustainability. The USIP courses have helped me to understand the intersection of those fields.
Also, the skills acquired from them, such as negotiation, mediation, and communication, can be applied to my field of interest— environmental activism and climate activism.
Climate change has been identified as a key driver of displacement, and addressing its impacts requires effective communication, negotiation, and collaboration. By taking some of their courses, I have gained skills and knowledge that have been helpful in advocating for climate action and promoting peaceful solutions to environmental challenges.
I am not a member of the United States Institute of Peace, but I am a member of their USIP Global Campus, which offers online courses, resources, and networking opportunities for prospective individuals. It is an honour to be among such a special group of individuals.
What advice do you have for other young scholars out there?
As a young scholar myself, my advice to others would be to embrace curiosity and never stop learning. Take advantage of every opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills, whether it is through formal education, self-study, or hands-on experience. Be willing to challenge yourself and step outside of your comfort zone in order to achieve your goals.
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