In a remarkable show of support for academic excellence, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has awarded cash prizes of ₦2.5 million each to nine best graduating students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta.
The announcement was made during the institution’s 18th convocation ceremony on Monday, where Governor Abiodun served as the Special Guest of Honour. He praised the students for their outstanding performances and encouraged them to use their achievements as a springboard for greater contributions to society.
“This is not just a reward, but an investment in the future of Ogun State and Nigeria,” the governor said. “We must celebrate hard work, discipline, and excellence. These young people represent the values we want to see more of.”
The cash awards, totaling ₦22.5 million, were presented to the top graduates from various faculties, including Engineering, Management Sciences, Communication, and Environmental Studies. Many of the recipients were visibly emotional, expressing gratitude to the governor for the unexpected recognition.
One of the awardees, Abimbola Adetunji from the Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, described the gesture as “life-changing.” “This will help me pursue further education and invest in my dreams,” she said.
Governor Abiodun also used the occasion to reiterate his administration’s commitment to education, noting that over the past three years, Ogun has increased funding for public tertiary institutions and rolled out initiatives to support indigent students.
“We’re working to make Ogun a knowledge-driven economy, and MAPOLY continues to be a critical partner in that vision,” he added.
The Rector of MAPOLY, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, thanked the governor for his support and called on other leaders to emulate the gesture. “This kind of encouragement sends a strong message to students across Nigeria — that hard work is noticed and rewarded,” he said.
The convocation ceremony was attended by dignitaries from across the academic and political spheres, as well as family members of the graduating students.