The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has appointed Messrs Samuel Badekale and Haroun Adebakin—who emerged as the best graduating students of the University of Lagos during the institution’s 55th convocation—as the state’s Education Ambassadors.

The governor also presented them with cheques of N10 million each in recognition of their achievements.

Abiodun, while receiving the duo in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Friday, said that by attaining a Grade Point Average of 5.0, they had not only made the state proud but also set themselves on the path to greatness.

He emphasised that his administration would continue to recognise individuals who bring honour to the state in their respective fields, as a way of inspiring others to reach their full potential.

Abiodun said: “I want to commend you for bringing this great honour to yourselves, your families, the state, and Nigeria. It is not just about being from Ogun State and flying its flag; you have distinguished yourselves through excellence.

“We are appointing you as our Education Ambassadors. It is our hope that other students, those still in school, will see you as a source of motivation and emulate your virtues.

“You must think about how you can support and inspire them. As our Education Ambassadors, we will create programmes where you can visit schools and engage with students. You will be able to communicate with them more effectively than I can, as they can relate to you—you are of the same generation and understand their struggles, challenges, and aspirations.

“I congratulate you on your new role as our Education Ambassadors. I want you to remain close to the Commissioner for Education so that we can support you in achieving your career goals and aspirations.

“But today, we are showing our appreciation with a small cheque of N10 million each—a token of our gratitude to you and your parents for making Ogun State proud.”

The governor described education as a tool for achieving prosperity and eradicating poverty, emphasising that it provides both respect and a foundation for success in life.

He expressed his joy that, despite societal challenges, some young men and women remain committed, diligent, and intentional about their academics.

Abiodun also highlighted his administration’s efforts in repositioning the education sector, citing reforms such as the Revitalisation Agenda and the implementation of a learner identification system.

He commended the parents of the top graduating students for the values they instilled in their children and the sacrifices they made to ensure their education.

In their remarks, Adebakin and Badekale thanked the governor for the honour, describing it as a testament to his commitment to improving education in the state.

“You can be successful and recognised without engaging in fraud or other unwholesome practices, just as we are being celebrated today by the governor,” they said, advising young people to focus on their education and avoid activities that could bring dishonour to their families.

Managing Director of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, Akintunde Sanya, has stated that thousands of students from Kwara State have benefitted from the federal government’s student loan scheme, with approximately N900 million already disbursed to public institutions in the state.

Speaking in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, through the Director of Operations, Mustapha Iyal, during a sensitisation programme for tertiary institution students in the state, Sanya revealed that the agency has received 400,000 applications from Nigerian institutions since the launch of its operations, 70 per cent of which have been approved.

The event, themed “Empowering Students Through Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship,” was organised by NELFUND in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Policy Formulation and Human Capital Development, Dr Adetola Ariyike Salau.

In his speech, Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq said the federal government’s student loan policy offers hope to children from low-income families, enabling them to access quality higher education.

AbdulRazaq commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the initiative, noting that it would tackle a major challenge hindering young people from acquiring tertiary education.

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He added that his administration is partnering with NELFUND on sensitisation efforts to ensure that students across educational institutions in the state benefit from the scheme.

“There is a lot to be grateful for. The federal government has created this opportunity to address a major challenge—lack of funding—which prevents many youths from accessing quality education. This initiative is not just about money but about empowerment,” the governor said, through his representative, Dr Salau.

“We will be rolling out more programmes, including mentorship and skills development initiatives across various centres in the state. It is crucial that students acquire the right skills to be employable after graduation. Our partnership with NELFUND will ensure this programme is effectively implemented.”

Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Egbewole, described the initiative as a relief for parents responsible for paying their children’s tuition fees.

Represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof Adegboyega Fawale, Egbewole urged students to enrol en masse and take advantage of the opportunity.

Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor of Muhammad Kamaldeen University called on the federal government to explore ways to incorporate private institutions into the NELFUND scheme, stating that their students, as bona fide Nigerians, should also benefit.

Other speakers at the event, including deans of student affairs from various institutions, encouraged students to explore the loan scheme to further their education and enhance their career prospects.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Dr. Mohammed Mohammed Aminu as the new Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

He said Aminu, who holds a Ph.D. in Automobile Technology and a Master’s in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, brings 28 years of experience in teaching, administration, research, and policy development.

“Before his appointment, he served as the Director of Procurement at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI),” the statement read.

“A strong advocate for vocational education, skills development, and youth empowerment, Dr. Aminu has published research on innovative teaching methods and poverty alleviation.”

According to the statement, Tinubu urged him to provide transformational leadership at NABTEB to enhance the certification of skilled human resources critical to Nigeria’s industrial growth.

The President also appointed Idris Olorunnimbe as Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Board.

Rasaq Olajuwon was named UBEC’s Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), while Tunde Ajibulu will serve as Deputy Executive Secretary (Services).

Presidential sspokesmanpokesman noted that Olorunnimbe brings years of experience in innovative leadership and commitment to youth empowerment and education.

“As Group CEO of The Temple Company, which he founded in 2016, he has spearheaded transformative initiatives across education, entertainment, and sports.

“He previously served on the Board of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committees, driving impactful youth employment and entrepreneurship programmes

“Mr Olajuwon, until his appointment, was Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), while Mr Ajibulu, a Fellow of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), is a Director at Tangent Construction Nigeria Limited and Partner at Covenant Consultancy Services.

“President Tinubu enjoined the new appointees to strengthen the human capital needed to drive educational reforms and enhance service delivery at UBEC, ensuring greater access to quality basic education nationwide,” Onanuga stated.