Hard work and academic excellence have earned two University of Lagos (UNILAG) students a life-changing reward. Mr. Okeke Chinedu Christian and Miss Tijesunimi Ogunsua-Dixon have emerged winners of the maiden Rite Foods Academic Excellence Award for Best Matriculants for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The awardees were presented to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, OON, FAS, during a courtesy visit by a delegation from Rite Foods Limited to the Senate House on Monday, July 20, 2026. They were led by the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Professor Olumuyiwa Johnson Agunsoye.
The scholarship, instituted by Rite Foods Limited in partnership with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), recognises outstanding newly admitted students in public universities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Each beneficiary receives a ₦5 million scholarship, along with mentorship and internship opportunities.
Speaking on behalf of Rite Foods, the Corporate Affairs and Sales Manager, Mr. Dennis Aideloje, said the initiative was designed to promote academic excellence and encourage young Nigerians to pursue success through hard work and dedication. He explained that recipients were selected based on their combined performance in WASSCE, UTME, and Post-UTME examinations.
According to him, Mr. Okeke Chinedu Christian, a 100-level Mechanical Engineering student, emerged as the overall winner for the South-West geopolitical zone, while Miss Tijesunimi Ogunsua-Dixon, a 100-level Mass Communication student, was also recognised under the scheme, bringing the total value of scholarships awarded to UNILAG students to ₦10 million.
Responding, Professor Ogunsola commended Rite Foods for investing in education through the scholarship programme. She congratulated the recipients and urged them to remain focused, maximise the mentorship and internship opportunities, and continue to excel in their studies.
The visit underscored the value of strategic partnerships between universities and the private sector in advancing quality education, rewarding excellence, and nurturing the next generation of leaders.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Ayo Oloyede
