Rite Foods Limited, in partnership with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has honoured seven exceptional Nigerian students with scholarships worth a combined ₦35 million under the maiden edition of the Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Award.
The award ceremony, held on Tuesday in Lagos, recognised the highest-performing matriculants from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, alongside a recipient under the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group category, in a move aimed at encouraging academic excellence and rewarding outstanding performance.
The event attracted senior government officials, education administrators, university representatives, lawmakers, business leaders and members of the media. Among those in attendance were a representative of the Minister of Education, the Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, CON, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, representatives of the vice-chancellors of the University of Lagos and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, as well as other stakeholders in the education sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rite Foods Limited, Selim Adegunwa, described the initiative as an investment in Nigeria’s future, noting that education remains one of the country’s strongest drivers of national development.
According to him, the award was established to identify and celebrate young Nigerians whose academic achievements reflect discipline, determination and excellence.
“We believe that recognising excellence today inspires greater excellence tomorrow. This initiative is our contribution to building a generation of young Nigerians who will provide leadership, innovation and solutions for the country’s future,” Adegunwa said.
He said the partnership with JAMB reinforces the integrity of the selection process, adding that every recipient emerged through a transparent, merit-based assessment.
“We wanted an initiative that every Nigerian would trust. Working with JAMB ensures that the selection process is credible and that the awards truly reflect academic excellence,” he added.
The beneficiaries represent some of the country’s brightest students across different fields of study.
Vincent Daniel, who emerged as the best matriculant from the North-East, graduated from Deeper Life High School, Jalingo, Taraba State. He secured an admission aggregate score of 89.72 per cent and is studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Maiduguri. He said his ambition is to contribute to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The South-West produced the overall best-performing award recipient. Okeke Chinedu Christian, an alumnus of St. Jude’s Private Secondary School, Festac, Lagos, recorded the highest aggregate score of 93.90 per cent. Now studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos, he expressed his desire to contribute to scientific and engineering advancement.
For the North-Central, Orzekor Aondohemba Godwin, a graduate of New Covenant Christian College International, Makurdi, Benue State, was recognised after scoring 92.00 per cent. He is studying Software Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and hopes to develop technology-driven solutions to address developmental challenges across Africa.
Edidiong Victor James emerged as the South-South’s best matriculant. A graduate of Redemption Academy, Uyo, where he finished as the overall best graduating student, he scored 91.75 per cent and is pursuing Medicine and Surgery at the University of Uyo.
“My father’s dedication to healthcare inspired my decision to become a doctor. This recognition motivates me to work even harder,” he said.
Joshua David Chidiebere received the South-East award after recording a score of 92.00 per cent. A graduate of Air Force Secondary School, Port Harcourt, he was also the highest-performing JAMB candidate among Air Force secondary schools nationwide. He is studying Software Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
The North-West award went to Francis Luka Miendwas, a graduate of Incubators Academics, Kaduna State, and a gold medallist at the 2024 Africa Mathematics Olympiad. He scored 89.50 per cent and is currently studying Software Engineering at the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia.
The ceremony also celebrated resilience through the presentation of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group Award to Tijesuni Mitchelle Ogunsua-Dixon.
Despite losing her sight following surgery for a brain tumour, Ogunsua-Dixon secured admission to study Communication and Media Studies at the University of Lagos with an admission aggregate score of 81.20 per cent.
Her recognition drew applause from guests, with organisers describing her journey as a powerful example that disability should never define or limit a person’s academic aspirations.
Education stakeholders at the event commended Rite Foods and JAMB for introducing a programme that rewards merit while encouraging healthy academic competition among Nigerian students.
Professor Oloyede described the initiative as one that aligns with JAMB’s commitment to promoting fairness, excellence and equal opportunity in tertiary education, noting that recognising exceptional performance would encourage more young Nigerians to pursue academic distinction.
Organisers said the Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Award will be held annually as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s education system by recognising outstanding talent and encouraging a culture where excellence is celebrated.
