The Ogun State Government has officially fulfilled its commitment to rewarding academic excellence by distributing multi-million naira cash prizes to outstanding students and educators. This gesture, aimed at reinforcing the state’s position as Nigeria’s educational capital, targeted high achievers from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions who distinguished themselves in various state and national competitions.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, presented the cheques during a ceremony held in Abeokuta on Tuesday. The event served as the formal redemption of promises made during previous academic sessions and convocation ceremonies, specifically highlighting the administration's focus on incentivising hard work within the public and private school systems.
The distribution of these rewards followed a strictly merit-based selection process. Top-performing graduates from the 2025 combined convocation ceremonies of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere, and the Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, Ilese, were among the primary beneficiaries. Each of these best-graduating students received cash gifts ranging between N2 million and N2.5 million, providing them with significant financial foundations as they transition into professional life.
Prof. Arigbabu emphasised that the financial rewards were not merely symbolic but were strategic investments in the state's human capital. He noted that the back-to-back victories recorded by Ogun State learners in national competitions are a direct result of the government's systematic overhaul of the education sector. The Commissioner asserted that the state has successfully positioned itself as a model for the Federal Ministry of Education and other sub-national entities across the country.
According to the Commissioner, the state's educational contingents have maintained a dominant presence at the national level for five consecutive years. This consistent performance was showcased by the impressive haul of trophies at the 2025 National Institute of Physics Conference and the National Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) competitions. The Commissioner stated that the state’s learners secured seven first-place positions across various categories, further cementing Ogun’s reputation for scientific and technical proficiency.
The Director of Education for the Department of Science and Technology, Mrs Abosede Edun, corroborated these achievements by detailing the state's success at the Joint Engineering and Technician Scientists (JETS) Competition. She noted that the impressive performance of the students was a testament to the enabling environment created by the current administration.
The ceremony also celebrated the individual triumphs of educators who have brought national honours to the state. Mr Francis Solanke, who was recently named the Best Teacher in Nigeria in the primary category, was among those recognised. Solanke expressed his gratitude to the state government, stating that the recognition would serve as a catalyst for even greater dedication to the teaching profession. He pledged to continue serving as a worthy ambassador of the state’s pedagogical standards.
Joseph Owolabi, the overall best-graduating student of MAPOLY for the 2025 session, also spoke at the event. He thanked Governor Abiodun for prioritising the welfare of students and for ensuring that excellence is rewarded with tangible support. Owolabi remarked that such incentives would discourage the "brain drain" phenomenon by making students feel valued by their home government.
