National News – A governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has awarded ₦1 million to Oladepo Caleb Olugbenga, the top graduating student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.
The announcement was made on April 24, 2026, in Osogbo, ahead of the August 15 Osun governorship election, as part of efforts to spotlight academic excellence and youth empowerment.
Oladepo, who studied Electronic and Electrical Engineering, emerged as the university’s best graduating student for the 2024/2025 academic session with a CGPA of 4.89 out of 5.0.
Coming from a rural community in Osun State, he overcame significant financial and infrastructural challenges, including years without electricity and long daily treks to school.
His success story gained national attention after he credited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund for supporting his education.
The APC campaign team said the donation was a recognition of hard work and resilience, adding that it reflects a broader commitment to youth development.
According to campaign representatives, the gesture also aligns with ongoing federal education support initiatives under Bola Tinubu, particularly student loan schemes aimed at widening access to higher education.
Locally, reactions have been mixed. While many students and youth groups in Osun praised the move as timely encouragement, some political observers view it as a strategic campaign effort designed to appeal to young voters ahead of the election.
Others argue that beyond symbolic gestures, systemic improvements in public education funding and infrastructure remain critical.
The development underscores the growing role of education in political messaging, especially in a state with a large youth population.
Analysts note that such interventions, if sustained beyond campaign cycles, could inspire more students to pursue academic excellence despite economic constraints.
However, they caution that long-term impact will depend on consistent policy implementation rather than one-off rewards.
