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Family celebrates quadruple graduation success

9 December 2016

Four sisters are celebrating after successfully graduating from Nottingham Trent University in the space of just 18 months. The latest member of the Oredipe family to graduate is Adebola, 28, who studied MA Public Health. She follows in her sisters’ footsteps who each gained their master’s in 2015. Her sisters are Tosin, 23, (MSc Economics) and twins Kehinde, (MSc Human Resource Management) and Taiwo (MA International Development) both 26.

While studying at NTU the siblings, from Nigeria, lived together in a flat in Nottingham. Taiwo said: “Being at the university at the same time was helpful because it meant we could proofread each other’s work and we were there to encourage one another. When it felt like the stresses of studying were becoming a bit much, we always had each other to fall back on. We had great family times at the parks, cinema and dinners, which made Nottingham feel more like a second family home to us.”

Despite studying different undergraduate degrees – which varied in length – in the UK and Nigeria, the sisters finished their courses at the same time and decided to plan their master’s degrees together. Taiwo said while looking for a place to study they considered factors such as living in a city that was affordable, safe and one that had a friendly environment. With Nottingham ticking all of the right boxes for the Oredipes, they said they chose to study at NTU because it offered the different courses they wanted and the sisters considered it to be a university that was doing well in each of their chosen subject areas. They also felt that by studying at NTU, it would enhance their career prospects.

Taiwo said: “NTU has done well for us as we are all now employed in our different career paths in Nigeria. We want to make our parents more proud than ever most importantly because we are four girls.”

Adebola said: “Every moment at NTU was worthwhile. I am glad I made the decision to come to the university for my master’s.”

Although Adebola was unable to attend the graduation ceremony on 9 December, due to moving back home to Nigeria, she will be framing her certificate in a special place at home.

David Bailey, international development director at Nottingham Trent University said: “We are always flattered when we are able to welcome more than one student from the same family. We never forget that for parents across the world it's a big financial and emotional decision to have their children studying overseas, and they put a lot of trust in us to take good care of them while they are far from home. To have one family trust us on four occasions is very humbling. We have enjoyed getting to know the Oredipe family over the last few years and we hope to stay in touch.”

Selma Toohey, senior international officer for Africa, said:  “All four sisters have made a fantastic individual contribution to the NTU student community and we were particularly touched at their efforts to welcome fellow Nigerian students to the university.”

Back in Nigeria members of the Oredipe family have continued to help NTU by organising visits for Selma to Nigerian universities, greeting David on his recent visit to the country’s capital, Abuja, and acting as ambassadors at university fairs.