The Abiodun family has launched a significant educational initiative, awarding scholarships worth over ₦100 million to 831 indigent students across various educational levels. This effort is part of the Gbemiga Abiodun Memorial Education Support Programme, established by the family of Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to honor his late son, Gbemiga. The programme aims to support students who face financial difficulties, ensuring they can pursue their educational goals.
The scholarship programme has made a considerable impact since its inception in 2023, supporting a total of 1,277 students. For the 2025/2026 award year, 831 new beneficiaries were selected from approximately 3,000 applications received through the programme's online portal. These beneficiaries include primary school pupils, secondary school students, technical college students, and students in tertiary institutions. The programme is designed to promote access to education and alleviate the financial burden on disadvantaged families.
Governor Abiodun announced the details of the programme at its third edition, held at Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu. He explained that the initiative was inspired by his late son's passion for helping others, particularly the less privileged. Following Gbemiga's death, the family decided to preserve his spirit of generosity through structured interventions to support indigent students. This effort ensures that financial difficulties do not hinder educational opportunities for those who need them most.
The programme includes additional support for 80 Senior Secondary School students preparing for their examinations and seeking admission into tertiary institutions. These students will receive assistance with registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), alongside revision and practice sessions through the LEARN MORE WhatsApp platform. This comprehensive support aims to equip students with the necessary tools to succeed in their academic pursuits.
The scholarship scheme has expanded its reach since its inception, initially focusing on the Remo axis and now covering all nine local government areas in Ogun East Senatorial District. In 2025, the programme introduced a vocational education component, providing beneficiaries in technical colleges with ₦120,000 each to acquire essential training equipment. Some beneficiaries have already begun practicing their trades, undertaking paid assignments, and improving their livelihoods.
Governor Abiodun also disclosed plans to provide 20 selected beneficiaries with business development training, mentorship, and start-up support of up to ₦250,000 each to encourage entrepreneurship. Furthermore, 30 selected tertiary institution students will participate in a digital skills development programme covering digital marketing, software development, data and analytics, cybersecurity, and user interface and user experience (UI/UX) design. These initiatives aim to equip young people with the skills needed for emerging opportunities.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, commended the initiative for providing opportunities to academically promising but financially disadvantaged students. He urged the beneficiaries to remain focused and disciplined, emphasizing that commitment to their studies would help them realize their aspirations. The programme has received positive feedback from beneficiaries, educational institutions, and stakeholders, who appreciate the Abiodun family's efforts to improve access to education for vulnerable members of society.
Key points
- The Abiodun family has awarded scholarships worth over ₦100 million to 831 indigent students across Nigeria.
- The Gbemiga Abiodun Memorial Education Support Programme has supported a total of 1,277 students since its inception in 2023.
- The programme includes vocational education and entrepreneurship components to equip students with practical skills and support their future endeavors.
