Meet Abosede Grace Kanyinsola Olanihun: Best Graduating Linguistics Student and Entrepreneur
Prima News Network recently spoke with Abosede Grace Kanyinsola Olanihun, the Best Graduating Student of Linguistics from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). Beyond academics, Abosede is also an entrepreneur and professional barber, successfully running a personal brand while navigating the demands of university life. In this interview, she reflects on her academic journey, the relevance of Linguistics to national development, the role of discipline and faith, and her advice to aspiring students.
Can we meet you?
Abosede Grace Kanyinsola Olanihun:
I am Abosede Grace Kanyinsola Olanihun, a Linguistics graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am also an entrepreneur and a professional barber. I run a barbing brand known as KanyinDBarberGirl, which I managed throughout my undergraduate years. Balancing academics with entrepreneurship helped me develop resilience, consistency, time management, and strong interpersonal skills, all of which played a significant role in my overall growth.
What sparked your initial interest in Linguistics, and how did your experience at OAU shape how you now see language and communication?
Kanyinsola:
My interest in Linguistics was sparked by a fascination with languages and dialects and a deep curiosity about why people speak differently and how meaning often extends beyond words. This curiosity influenced my decision to study Linguistics while preparing for JAMB.
At Obafemi Awolowo University, that curiosity became more structured as I encountered Linguistics as a scientific discipline. I learnt to see language not as neutral but as something deeply connected to society, culture, and power. Courses in sociolinguistics and language documentation, as well as fieldwork in multilingual communities, exposed me to how language can both empower and marginalise people.
I also came to understand that language is foundational to far more than speech. Every sound, symbol, or signal we use in communication underpins technology, artificial intelligence, and digital interaction. Understanding language gives us the tools to shape technology that is inclusive and accessible.
OAU trained me to approach language critically, asking not just how it works, but who it works for, why it works that way, and its real-world impact. This perspective has shaped how I now see communication as a force that influences relationships, access to resources, social inclusion, and even the technologies we build to interact with the world.
Which course, theory, or research project challenged you the most intellectually, and how did it contribute to your academic growth?
Kanyinsola:
In my first and second years, I found Phonetics particularly challenging. The acoustic aspects, reading spectrograms, analysing sound waves, and distinguishing vowels from consonants purely through visual data, were initially daunting. At some point, I even questioned whether we were still studying Linguistics or had crossed into physics.
However, through consistent practice, focused effort, and guidance from my lecturers and reaching out to learn from course mates who are well-grounded in it, I gradually developed a strong grasp of Phonology. By my final course in the area, Generative Phonology, I earned an A. I was even able to apply phonological analysis in my thesis, something I could never have imagined attempting in my early years.
That experience taught me the value of persistence, structured learning, and breaking complex problems into manageable steps. It reinforced my confidence that even the most intimidating challenges can become strengths when approached strategically.
As the best graduating student, what study habits or learning strategies proved most effective for you?
Kanyinsola:
Consistency mattered far more than cramming. I made it a habit to listen attentively in class and later mentally replay the lectures, almost as if I were revisiting a conversation with my lecturer. This helped me retain concepts before studying independently.
Because I ran a barbering business alongside my studies, most of my reading happened at night, often in campus spaces such as HSLT, Law, and the Social Science Basement. Teaching tutorials to other students was also a major strategy for me, as explaining concepts strengthened my understanding.
I regularly sought help from friends who were strong in particular courses, connected theories to real-life examples, participated in discussions, and wrote frequently. Above all, I focused on learning for understanding rather than grades. This approach helped me stay disciplined, retain knowledge effectively, and apply what I learnt meaningfully.
How do you see the relevance of Linguistics to addressing real-world issues in Nigeria, such as education, technology, or social integration?
Kanyinsola:
Linguistics is deeply practical, especially in a multilingual country like Nigeria. Language sits at the centre of how people learn, access opportunities, use technology, and relate with one another. When language is poorly considered, even well-intentioned policies and technologies fail to reach the people they are designed for.
In education, Linguistics helps us understand how learners actually acquire knowledge. Many learning challenges in Nigeria are not about intelligence but about language mismatch, students are often taught in codes disconnected from their lived realities. Linguistic insights allow for more inclusive, culturally grounded curricula and assessments.
In technology, Linguistics is essential for localisation and accessibility. From voice technologies to learning apps and user interfaces, understanding phonology, syntax, semantics, and sociolinguistic context ensures digital tools are natural and relevant to Nigerian users. Technology works best when it speaks the user’s language, both linguistically and culturally.
For social integration, Linguistics addresses stigma, identity, and inclusion. Indigenous languages are often marginalised, and that marginalisation extends to their speakers. Through documentation, education, and positive representation, Linguistics can preserve languages, restore pride, and foster mutual understanding.
Overall, I see Linguistics not as a purely academic field, but as a bridge between knowledge and people, with the power to improve education, strengthen technology, and promote social cohesion.
What role did mentorship play in your academic journey?
Kanyinsola:
Mentorship played a subtle but important role, though not always in a formal way. Direct mentorship from lecturers was limited, as most interactions occurred in the classroom. However, this taught me to take ownership of my learning, reading beyond lecture notes, consulting academic resources, and asking focused questions when necessary.
Peer mentorship played a more visible role. As a frequent group leader, I engaged with diverse learning styles and challenges. Teaching others forced me to understand concepts deeply and clearly. Leadership, in many ways, became my space for mentorship.
Occasional feedback from lecturers, whether corrections, comments, or recognition, also helped reinforce standards of excellence. The limited formal mentorship environment ultimately pushed me to become self-driven, resourceful, and resilient, qualities that significantly influenced my performance.
What advice would you give to current and incoming Linguistics students at OAU?
Kanyinsola:
First, God. I learnt early that academic excellence depends more on direction than raw intelligence. Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding”, guided me throughout my studies.
Alongside faith, students must take responsibility for their learning early. Linguistics rewards curiosity, consistency, and depth. Reading beyond lecture notes, asking questions, and engaging with real language data are essential.
I also encourage students not to isolate themselves. Learn with others, lead when possible, and take group work seriously. Those experiences build both academic strength and character.
Finally, remain disciplined and patient. Results may not come immediately, but consistent effort, guided by faith and integrity, will always speak in the end. God is not a bad manager, when you commit your plans to Him and combine faith with diligence, He orders your steps.
Abosede Grace Kanyinsola Olanihun’s journey reflects a compelling blend of academic excellence, entrepreneurial discipline, and purposeful faith. Her insights highlight the growing relevance of Linguistics beyond the classroom, particularly in shaping education, technology, and social inclusion in Nigeria. As universities continue to produce graduates for an increasingly complex society, her story offers a model of resilience, intellectual depth, and responsible leadership for the next generation.
