At a time when many young Nigerians are increasingly uncertain whether hard work and academic excellence still attract recognition, seven exceptional undergraduates are set to receive national honour and financial reward.

On Tuesday, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in partnership with Rite Foods Limited, will present a total of N35 million to seven of the country's brightest students at the maiden Academic Excellence Recognition Award Ceremony in Lagos.

The event is positioned as more than a prize-giving ceremony. It is intended to signal that academic brilliance, discipline and determination still matter and deserve public celebration.

Award and beneficiaries

For the seven beneficiaries, the recognition follows their outstanding performances during the 2025 admission exercise. JAMB said each recipient emerged as the best-performing admitted candidate through exceptional scores in both the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and their respective universities' Post-UTME or admission screening exercises.

Each awardee will receive N5 million, bringing the total value of the recognition to N35 million. Beyond the financial support, the awards also represent national recognition for years of sacrifice, discipline and commitment to academic excellence.

JAMB said the selection process was rigorous, transparent and entirely merit-driven, a point that has drawn praise from stakeholders who see the initiative as a significant effort to reward performance in Nigeria's tertiary education system.

The beneficiaries emerged through a rigorous, transparent and merit-driven selection process.

— The Board, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board

National spread and inclusion

Six of the recipients represent Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, while the seventh award is reserved for the highest-performing admitted candidate living with a disability. The structure of the awards reflects an emphasis on inclusion and equal opportunity alongside academic merit.

The beneficiaries come from seven universities across the federation, reflecting the national character of the initiative. The institutions listed include the University of Lagos, the University of Uyo, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, the University of Maiduguri and the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

The University of Lagos produced both the South-West winner and the overall best-performing candidate living with a disability, according to the organisers.

Six of the recipients represent Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, while the seventh award honours the highest-performing admitted candidate living with a disability, underscoring the organisers' commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity.

— Organisers, Academic Excellence Recognition Award Ceremony

Why the initiative matters

In a country where stories of educational challenges often dominate public discourse, the initiative has shifted attention to a more hopeful narrative that excellence can still open doors and inspire a generation.

Education advocates say the recognition goes beyond celebrating seven individuals. It sends a message to millions of students preparing for future examinations that integrity, perseverance and excellence remain valuable in nation-building.

The programme, sponsored by Rite Foods Limited and coordinated by JAMB, has also been described as one of the more significant private-sector investments in promoting academic excellence and rewarding merit in Nigeria's tertiary education system.

Stakeholders believe the collaboration between a public institution and a private company demonstrates how investment in human capital can help reshape the country's educational landscape.

Ceremony and expected dignitaries

The ceremony is expected to attract more than 300 leading figures from the education sector, government, academia and the corporate community.

Among those expected are the Minister of Education, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, vice-chancellors of the beneficiaries' universities, heads of tertiary education regulatory agencies, principal officers of higher institutions, development partners, corporate executives, students and media practitioners.

Also expected are the Executive Secretaries and Chief Executives of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

Organisers believe the maiden edition of the Academic Excellence Recognition Award will help establish a lasting tradition of celebrating scholarship, encouraging innovation and placing merit at the centre of Nigeria's pursuit of sustainable national development.