I’m Living My Dream, UNILAG’s Youngest Doctor

Harrison Iyoha

Miss Maryam Raji, 21, was the youngest graduating medical student at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, during 2012/13 academic session.

Fondly called A-raji (omo mama) by friends, the former Editor-in-Chief, MSSN, CMUL/LUTH branch told her success story.

The member of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit: “It’s a favour from God that I would be the youngest medical doctor in the institution. My  dad had nursed this dream since I was young but  I lost him when I was just 8 years,” she said.

But the dream of the then little Raji was not killed because she got support from family and other loved ones.

“People around me, especially my mum, nurtured the dream. She helped me keep the goal, it was very challenging but having her around kept me focused. Luckily for me, I finished my secondary education at an early age, and at 15, I gained admission to study medicine at the University of Lagos.

“Here I am today, living my dream and being celebrated as the youngest medical student”.

The devout Muslim said: “being a Muslim is a gift. As a Muslim, I didn’t engage in acts   that could have distracted me and which are also forbidden by Allah.

“Acts like taking alcohol, clubbing, partying and  engaging in unlawful relationships, among others. Moreover, the secondary school that I attended, Vanguards Academy, was a training ground for me. “I was groomed to become who I am today. I didn’t  cut class.

“I knew the right time to read and I always comprehend whatever I read through God’s mercies.

This was made possible through the memorization of the Qur’an. It improves my memory.

While dedicating her achievement to God and her late dad, she enjoined Muslim women not to relent in seeking knowledge.

“Seeking knowledge is compulsory for all Muslims, irrespective of gender. There is no religion that talks about the importance of knowledge as much as Islam does.

“Early Muslims led the world because of their disposition to knowledge. When I was in school, I extracted interesting quotes about knowledge and posted it in my room, to educate and inspire people,” she said.