A combined photo of Governor Dapo Abiodun and OOU front gate
By Toyin Williams
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has donated a total of N8.5 million to the best graduating students at the 35th Convocation Ceremony of Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, as a demonstration of support for academic excellence.
A statement by the Ogun State government on Saturday, disclosed that Governor Abiodun was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele.
He donated ₦500,000 to each of the 13 best graduating students across faculties and ₦2 million to Master Ajayi David of the Faculty of Engineering, who emerged as the overall best graduating student.”
Speaking at the event, the governor said, “The 35th Convocation celebrates academic excellence, access, and institutional relevance. By placing reliable data at the centre of decision-making, our administration has enhanced transparency, improved outcomes, and ensured that every intervention across the education value chain is strategic and measurable.”
The governor congratulated all the graduating students, urging them to continue learning, asking questions, and serving as ambassadors of the university.
He described the cash awards as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to fostering talent, rewarding excellence, and promoting innovation.
He also reaffirmed that education remains a cornerstone of his administration’s developmental agenda, emphasising continued investment in the sector as essential for securing the state’s future.
The Governor lauded OOU for producing “competent, innovative, and future-ready graduates while upholding high standards of discipline, innovation, and service.”
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor Professor Ayodeji Agboola praised OOU’s tradition of excellence, noting that the university currently ranks 16th nationally among 321 Nigerian universities based on academic visibility, research output, and web presence.
He added that OOU is second only to LAUTECH among state-owned institutions in Nigeria and commended Governor Abiodun for prioritising education as a catalyst for holistic development.
