Rite Foods, JAMB Reward Seven Undergraduates With N5m Each

Rite Foods Limited, in partnership with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has awarded N5 million each to seven top-performing matriculating students in public universities for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The award ceremony, held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, was designed to celebrate academic excellence and encourage a culture of achievement among Nigerian students.

It focused on candidates who recorded the highest overall admission aggregates across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, plus one recipient from JAMB’s Equal Opportunity Group.

The seven beneficiaries are Chinedu Christian Okeke from Anambra State was selected as the best in south-west after achieving an aggregate score of 93.82 percent. He is presently a Mechanical Engineering undergraduate, University of Lagos.

He was followed by Joshua Chidiebere (92 percent) from Abia State, representing South-east. He is a Software Engineering student of Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

Orzekor Aondohembe Godwin, a Software Engineering student, Federal University of Technology, Minna, was selected as the best from the North-central with 92 percent.

James Victor Edidiong from Akwa Ibom, scored the highest in the South-south with 91.75 percent. He is now a Medicine and Surgery student of University of Uyo.

Vincent Daniel from Taraba State scored 89.75 percent and was the most outstanding in the North-east. Daniel is now studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Maiduguri.

Luka Miendwas from Kaduna scored 89.5 percent, and was the best in the North-west. He is a Software Engineering student at the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia.

Tijesuni Ogunsua-Dixon, who lost her sight following a brain tumour surgery, was selected for the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group Award after achieving an 81.20 percent aggregate score. She is presently a Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos.

The recipients were selected after a combined assessment of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination scores, Senior School Certificate Examination results, and post-UTME or other institutional screening outcomes.

This mirrors the merit-based admission criteria used by public universities.

Speaking at the event, Rite Foods Managing Director Seleem Adegunwa said the Company’s National Excellence Award is more than an annual recognition programme it is the beginning of a long-term movement to build an excellence culture in Nigeria.

He added that the National Excellence Award is intended as a long-term platform to make merit visible and aspirational.

“Rite Foods envisions a future where excellence becomes the standard, not the exception; where achievement is celebrated as much as entertainment; and where young Nigerians are inspired to pursue their highest potential because society intentionally recognizes those who raise the bar,” Adegunwa said.

He noted that the initiative aligns with its EYEC sustainability pillars: Education, Youth Empowerment, Environmental Stewardship, and Community Development.

He stated that Rite Foods will commit N35 million annually to reward top matriculants from each geopolitical zone.

“Nigeria’s future will be shaped by the quality of its young people. This initiative is about recognising brilliance, encouraging aspiration, and empowering the next generation of leaders, innovators, professionals, and nation-builders,” Adegunwa said.

He added that the partnership with JAMB reflects what is possible when institutions invest in human capital.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said the board accepted the partnership because the selection process was comprehensive and transparent.

“It was not based on just one section of the evaluation, but on the entire assessment process. That is what we are celebrating today,” he noted.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa represented by his Special Adviser, Dr. Ismaila Adiatu described the award as a recognition of diligence and perseverance.

He said it sends a clear message that Nigeria rewards merit and should encourage students to strive for excellence.

Alausa urged the beneficiaries to remain focused, disciplined and committed to excellence.

“Be innovators, researchers, scientists and entrepreneurs needed to solve the problems of the nation,” the Minister said as he reaffirmed government focus on education reforms aimed at making graduates globally competitive.

One of the recipients, Okeke Christian of the South West region, who recorded a 93.90 percent aggregate in Mechanical Engineering, thanked JAMB and Rite Foods and pledged to maintain high academic standards.