Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola, a prominent Nigerian Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, recently shared her remarkable life journey on August 8, 2025 during a Mentorship Sit-Out organized by Living By Design Nation (LBD) as part of their Apprenticeship Month.

Speaking via Zoom, the former Chrisland University Vice Chancellor recounted the struggles and triumphs that have shaped her career, emphasizing the pivotal role of mentorship in her success.

Born as the first of five children to Dr. and Mrs. Isaac Anyabuike, her father is a retired lecturer, Prof. Babalola described her mother as a disciplined woman who instilled a strong work ethic in her and her siblings. “My mother birthed five of us and she flogged failure out of my body,” she recalled. “She made me solve mathematics problems and finish an entire exercise book every day.” Her mother, a teacher and headmistress, had zero tolerance for failure, setting high expectations that greatly influenced Prof. Babalola’s academic pursuits.

Her educational journey began at the Federal Government College in Enugu State, where she excelled academically. However, after her WAEC exams, she experienced a significant setback, receiving P7 in English and P8 in Oral English, which shattered her initial aspirations. “I took the JAMB exam wanting to study architecture, but everything changed, and I became sad and moody,” she explained.

While waiting for the exam results to be rectified, she registered for A-levels in the same school. Ultimately, she decided to pursue another JAMB exam, leading her to study Pharmacy at the University of Ife, now known as Obafemi Awolowo University. “I didn’t know what pharmacy was, but it turned out to be a divine destiny for me,” she stated, crediting God for her journey.

At Ife, she faced significant challenges but built confidence and resilience. Although the WAEC examination results would later change, showing an A3 in Oral English, she persevered and graduated among the top students in her class. “Ife was tough, but it was also a place where I excelled,” she said.

After completing her Master's degree, Prof. Babalola faced a ten-year gap before earning her PhD at the age of 35. “My delay was turned to destiny, my failure turned to fame and success,” she noted. Her dedication during this time was further influenced by her commitment to her husband and her role as a mother. By 1988, after waiting on the Lord, she said yes to her husband and registered for her PhD. “In 4-5 years, I was done, having had two children in between,” she shared.

Prof. Babalola recognized key mentors who shaped her career, especially Prof. Falusi, who guided her into research and scholarship. “Through her, I started writing and was exposed to science and research. I also appreciate Prof. Olaniyi, who came physically to Ife twice to mentor me in my career path,” she added.

Her career took a transformative turn when she accepted a position as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ibadan (UI) due to the turmoil from the Ife-Modakeke conflict. “What I lost in Ife was restored, and God placed me even higher than my lecturers,” she recounted. Prof. Babalola made history as the first female professor in her faculty, later becoming the first female Head of Department and dean. Although she initially declined the Vice-Chancellor position due to her commitments as a minister's wife, she later became the first female Vice-Chancellor from the University of Ibadan.

As Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babalola initially encountered challenges, starting with only 57 students enrolled at the university. However, through hard work and unwavering faith, she took it upon herself to actively promote and publicize the institution, collaborating with CEOAFRICA, an online media organization.

Her efforts resulted in a significant increase, with student enrollment surpassing 1,000 before her departure from the position. Although the ultimate goal was to reach 5,000 students, limitations such as insufficient hostel accommodations posed challenges. Prof. Babalola emphasized her philosophy: “It is better I try and fail than not trying at all,” a testament to her belief in perseverance and the pursuit of growth.

Now an influential mentor, Prof. Babalola has amassed over 50 mentees and continues to support women in her community through health missions and empowerment initiatives. “I encourage everyone to pursue excellence in their lives with diligence and faith in God,” she advised.

“My name is Chinedum, and there is a 'Chi' in Chinedum, which means God lifts me.” Even as a Vice-Chancellor, she demonstrated her commitment to personal development by retaking her WAEC exams to remedy her English. She shared that her first twelve years of marriage were challenging, but she learned not to allow her circumstances to dictate her success. “I hate failure, but if I fall, I rise again.”

In her closing remarks, she reiterated the importance of hard work, mentorship, and collaboration, stating, “What I lost in time, God restored in stature.” Prof. Babalola's journey from struggle to solution illustrates the profound impact of determination, faith, and the power of mentorship in achieving one's goals, underscoring how God can turn a season of failure into success. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the conveners of LBD Nation, particularly Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) Chiefo and Chinwe Ejioforbiri, for their visionary work and support.