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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students’ Engagement has splashed cash gifts, laptops, empowerment toolkits and other prizes on students that had outstanding academic performance in the last academic session.
This was part of the event to mark the 2025 International Students’ Day Celebration with the theme, “Celebrating and Rewarding Academic Excellence: A Key to Unlocking Latent Potentials for Sustainable Development,” organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students’ Engagement, in Abuja, yesterday.
Sunday Asefon, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students’ Engagement, in his welcome speech stated that the awards and recognition was a pointer to the desire of the Federal Government to build a culture where hard work is honoured, talent is supported and potential is nurtured.
He said: “We are using this occasion to celebrate the best graduating students from our universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and the Nigerian Law School. These exceptional achievers will receive scholarships, laptops, cash awards and other empowerment tools to support their future endeavours.
“In the same spirit of inclusiveness and encouragement, we are also recognising outstanding students from secondary schools, who will each receive a N100,000 cash award as a motivation to continue striving for academic distinction.
“This speaks directly to the transformative power of education in nation-building and also reminds us that every great society is built on the brilliance, diligence and imagination of its young people.”
Asefon stressed that the 2025 International Students’ Day Celebration represents the second edition of the Federal Government’s commitment to celebrating academic excellence, adding that the scope, rewards and impacts have been expanded.
“To all the awardees, your outstanding performances have distinguished you. You represent the best of our educational institutions and we are proud of your achievements. I encourage you to continue leading with integrity, innovation and a sense of responsibility to your communities and the nation at large.
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“To the parents, teachers, administrators and partners, who have supported these students, thank you for your dedication. Your efforts form the foundation upon which excellence is built.
“As we celebrate today, let us renew our collective commitment to building an educational system that empowers every Nigerian child to thrive. When we unlock the potential of our students, we unlock the future of Nigeria,” he stated.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the celebration as a moment to recognise the relentless pursuit of knowledge, the late nights of study and the unwavering determination that has brought these young minds to this pivotal moment.
The Minister, who was represented by Dr. David Atuwo, his Special Assistant on Technical Matters, highlighted the role of technology and scholarship in shaping future leaders.
He said: “In the 61 graduating students receiving laptops today, we see the tech innovators and digital leaders of tomorrow. Among the 29 recipients of the MSc Scholarship Awards, we see future professors, researchers and policy architects, who will drive national development.”
The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Usoka-Anite, who also spoke at the event, highlighted the importance of collective responsibility of the society to safeguard students’ welfare.
She reassured students that the government would continue to ensure funding for education, teachers’ salaries, school feeding programmes and safe learning environments through initiatives, such as the Safe School Initiative.
“The youths of this country are a collective responsibility of everyone, not just the Student Union or the Ministry of Education. The brilliance, resilience and creativity of our students are central to building Nigeria’s leadership, talent and intellectual resources. Today, we celebrate more than just high grades. We celebrate the future of Nigeria,” she stated.
