Abdul-roqeeb Solotan

Microbiologist | Research Scientist | Seeking for MSc/PhD Opportunities in Biomedical Sciences

[Abdul-roqeeb Solotan @ATSolotan]

Got into the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University and bagged a degree on my way out.

SOLOTAN, Abdul-roqeeb Temiloluwa
https://t.co/I9JBemPuN1 Microbiology
First class honors (4.83/5.0)

[Abdul-roqeeb Solotan @ATSolotan]

@twitgameboy God is in the story. Just trust him.

[ĸolαde @twitgameboy]

This tweet will be private on June 13, 2026, and will be public on June 13, 2027.
Write yourself a message for the future.

[Abdul-roqeeb Solotan @ATSolotan]

@OladejiTosin15 Congratulations, sir 🎉✨

[L O V E R 💕 @LolzPat]

My newest prayer is simple: "Lord, settle it." Settle my mind. Settle my heart. Settle my spirit.
Teach me to walk in peace instead of anxiety, and faith instead of fear.

[Abdul-roqeeb Solotan @ATSolotan]

@elMunir5 Congratulations, Dr. Yaqub🎉✨

[Muneer Yaqub🇺🇸🇳🇬 @elMunir5]

On Friday, at 27, I was hooded with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Molecular and Cell Biology from The University of Texas at Dallas 🎓.

It’s official 🎉:
Dr. Muneer Yaqub

[Michael @OladejiTosin15]

Let me share what I have done in the past as a PmP mapped into the 5 steps from @DrOlaBrown's article.

Quick background so you understand where I'm coming from. During my YCT days, I used to work in some plastic factory hence the reason for my hard palm 😀😅. I also had to borrowed money to pay my first UNILAG school fees. I was visibly pako😀

disclaimer: Me, I’m not trying to be as rich as Dangote or Otedola 😅. far from it.
In fact, I’ve said before that once I hit my personal target of about $2m liquid assets, I’ll probably disappear to Igbotako for community development work and a quieter life.

Also, I am not rich yet. but we thank God

Now, lets see how the steps in the article fit into what I have done ... of course there are other things and steps that help

Step 1: Get into a good university.
I didn't stop at polytechnic. Even at YCT during my ND, I pushed for UNILAG. Finished with First Class in Accounting. BGS in both the department and faculty for both institutions. Over 20 academic awards.

I knew early that my CV has to scream for me given that no one could make the calls for me.

At my Sahara 2016 GMT programme final interview, they projected my CV to the chairman and other board members present at that interview - ND Distinction, First Class, BGS twice, ICAN, ACCA, 20+ awards.

The Chairman and the entire board couldn't even ask me a question. He just said: "Do you have any life? Did you have fun in school?" I can see how impressed and couldnt just say know...I knew I already got the job.

Step 2: Work in financial services.
I moved into consulting, focused on financial services and a very niche complex area (actuarial and quant). And I don't just deliver on client engagements. I want them to see the difference.
Two of the biggest insurance companies CEO in Nigeria wrote to Partner about how exceptional I was on a projects..That actually added more case to a back to back double promotion

I have slept in the office because of client deliverables. not once, not twice as a Senior and as a Manager.
There is no substitute for hard work. I keep telling younger ones this. You cannot shortcut excellence when you don't have connections backing you up.

Step 3: Realise it will take longer.
I play the long game. One reason I stayed back in Nigeria is because I can see the massive opportunities ahead in the space I work in.
The difference in my earnings over the last decade vs now is significant and it's still very far from what's possible.

Today I told some LASU students if they could imagine that some folks earn ₦30m+ per month in this Lagos?
The good thing about the path I chose is that seeing those numbers ahead is always comforting. The ceiling is high. You just have to be patient enough to climb.

Step 4: Grow your network.
Naturally, I am a very shy person. Extremely introverted. But in the last 5 years, I've pushed myself to connect with clients, colleagues, and people outside my comfort zone.
We've won engagements just because of a presentation I did for some years ago.

I make myself available for some pro bono work. My last IFRS 9 video took over 12 hours to produce, even though you all see 4 hours of content.
Some clients call me outside work hours. I focus on how to make them look good with their boss too. Networking is really just giving.

Step 5: Be aggressive about self development.
This is the biggest one for me.
ACCA. ACA. CFA. FRM. SCR. And now actuarial exams IFOA and SOA. Passed 14 papers across both in 3 years. Also failed 10 papers in that same period.
Failing is part of it lol. I'm quite aggressive.

Last December, I was in the office from Dec 26 to 4AM on January 1st writing a 96hour SOA assessment. I actually spent over 80 hours on it.
That means I literally started the new year in the office.
Extreme? Yes. I don't encourage anyone to do that. But that's what it took.

Working your way out of poverty comes with massive tradeoffs. And it's perfectly rational to decide not to do it that way. But if you choose this path, know that momentum compounds.
The early years are the hardest. The loneliest. But every exam, every late night, every relationship you build, it stacks up.

May be when I buy my AMG G 63😎, I will come back and confirm that yes it's possible. for now lets keep trusting the process.

I'm not even rich yet. But I'm always thankful for how far I've come. Grateful for everyone that has been part of my joinery...friends, family, colleagues , scholarships companies, bosses etc

TBT to my 2020 birthday...one clown had to remind me how I be pako for undergrate

[Abdul-roqeeb Solotan @ATSolotan]

@Dejman09 Congratulations, brother ✨

[Abdul-roqeeb Solotan @ATSolotan]

@oyedollipod Congratulations, sir 🎉✨

[Muneer Yaqub🇺🇸🇳🇬 @elMunir5]

How I bagged PhD at 27 and won the Outstanding Graduate Student Award at UT Dallas.

School is not a scam.

[Abdul-roqeeb Solotan @ATSolotan]

@Jomo_Of_FUTA @UbakaChekwube

[Abdul-roqeeb Solotan @ATSolotan]

@Jomo_Of_FUTA @Marveyr

[Muneer Yaqub🇺🇸🇳🇬 @elMunir5]

Winner, 2026 Outstanding Graduate Student (PhD) Award — The University of Texas at Dallas 🥇🎉

[Abdul-roqeeb Solotan @ATSolotan]

@olumuyiwaayo Happy birthday, Dr. Igbalajobi 🎉✨

[Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi, Ph.D @olumuyiwaayo]

No scholarship posts today 🫢

It’s my birthday 🎉

[𝒀.ᥫ᭡🎀 @yassbaby__]

i’ve finally accepted the fact that i cannot faint

[𝒶rα˚˖𓍢ִ໋ @yslmammi]

Best career advice that I can give: Don't ever attach yourself to a person, a place, a company, an organization or a project. Attach yourself to a mission, a calling, a purpose ONLY. That's how you keep your power & your peace. It's worked pretty well for me thus far.

[Word @umarfof]

Peace be upon you, around you, and most importantly within you.

[‏ً @omgsidewalks]

do not borrow shame from the past. You are not that person anymore and you simply didn't know better. No reason to beat yourself up for it. All you can do is really do better.

[Nithya Shri @Nithya_Shrii]

I fell in love with this sentence:
“Forgive yourself for not knowing earlier what only time could teach.”