For many students at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), mathematics is a dreaded course that often determines their academic fate. Yet, amidst the anxiety and long study nights, one student has emerged as a beacon of hope. His name is Samuel Oyedokun, a mathematics enthusiast who, for the past three years, has dedicated his time to helping fellow students master complex concepts through his academic initiative, Boot Class.
What started as a small gathering of students eager to pass their compulsory course, MTS 102 (Introductory Calculus), has now grown into a large-scale academic support system. Samuel and his team of collaborators organize the Marathon Revision Class (MRC), an intensive tutorial session designed to break down mathematical hurdles into manageable learning steps.
The 2025 edition of the Marathon Revision Class proved to be the most impactful yet. Hundreds of students trooped in for the sessions, including freshers preparing for MTS 102 and 300-level students facing the rigorous MTS 316 (Engineering Mathematics II). According to Samuel, the vision has always been to help students “discover their math personality, understand how they learn best, and give them the confidence to trust their process.”
Speaking to The Nigeria Education News, Samuel admitted that the sessions are not without their challenges. “It was tough, no doubt physically demanding, mentally stretching, but at the same time, very fulfilling. My goal was not just to explain formulas but to help students connect with the subject in a way that builds lasting confidence.”
The highlight of this year’s edition was the 16-hour marathon session for MTS 316. Initially planned as a 12-hour tutorial, the class extended as students requested more time to grasp difficult concepts. Samuel carefully walked them through topics like Fourier Series, Sturm-Liouville Systems, Partial Differential Equations (PDEs), and Heat, Wave, and Laplace Equations. Students left with renewed energy and clearer understanding.
Boot Class itself is the brainchild of Samuel and a few of his friends who wanted to solve an age-old academic problem: poor performance in mathematics. Their solution was simple but bold: create a collaborative learning environment where students could prepare rigorously for exams. Despite initial doubts, the first editions (MRC 1.0 and 2.0) were executed debt-free, with remarkable results that encouraged the continuity of the program.
Samuel recalled how skeptical his team had been when he first pitched the idea. “They thought it was too ambitious, but we pushed forward. Today, Boot Class is more than just a tutorial, it’s a movement that gives students clarity, confidence, and competence,” he said with pride.
Findings gathered by The Nigeria Education News from beneficiary students affirm that Boot Class has become a lifesaver. A Year One student, Tolu Olamide, who attended the MTS 102 tutorial, described the experience as “an academic turning point.” She said, “I came into FUTA scared of mathematics, but the way Samuel broke down Calculus made me realize I could actually do well. The tutorials helped me pass confidently.”
Another beneficiary, David Akinyemi, a 200-level Industrial Chemistry student, said the MTS marathon session was unlike anything he had ever experienced. “The concepts used to look abstract in class, but Samuel made them relatable. I finally understood Fourier Series and PDEs after that class. It was worth every hour,” he testified.
For many of these students, Boot Class has gone beyond academics. It has fostered collaboration, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. Students no longer feel isolated in their struggles; instead, they learn that others share the same difficulties and that solutions can be found collectively.
The initiative has also set a standard for peer-led academic excellence in Nigerian universities. While many students focus solely on their personal success, Samuel chose to carry others along, showing a rare commitment to community development within the academic space.
Observers note that Boot Class’s success reflects the power of student-led innovation in tackling educational challenges. With proper institutional support, initiatives like this could be scaled to cover other courses and universities across Nigeria, potentially transforming the learning culture of higher institutions.
Beyond the numbers and test scores, Samuel insists that Boot Class is about character formation. “Mathematics is not just about solving equations it’s about discipline, focus, and resilience. If my students can leave with these values, then I believe we’ve succeeded,” he said.
As FUTA prepares for another round of examinations, the Boot Class community remains alive with enthusiasm. For many, Samuel Oyedokun is more than just a mathematics tutor; he is a mentor, motivator, and a symbol of what student-driven initiatives can achieve when passion meets purpose.
Through his vision and persistence, Samuel has redefined academic mentorship at FUTA, leaving a legacy that may inspire countless students to not just study mathematics, but to love it.