By HeapNews
Sixteen indigent students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have been awarded a ₦60 million scholarship grant by the Prof. Mike Adebamowo Foundation (PMAF), in a landmark initiative aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education and promoting academic excellence.
The announcement was made at the foundation’s inaugural scholarship award ceremony held Thursday in Lagos, where students from various faculties were recognized for their academic resilience despite economic challenges.
Founder and Executive Director of PMAF, Prof. Mike Adebamowo, said the initiative stemmed from a personal commitment to give back to society and honor the struggles of his late mother, a school headmistress, who raised him under challenging conditions.
“This ₦60 million endowment fund is with a clear vision to empower indigent students to complete their university education, starting with students of the University of Lagos,” Prof. Adebamowo stated.
“Our mission is to ensure no deserving student drops out of school due to financial constraints.”
Prof. Adebamowo, a distinguished architect and academic, recounted his own journey as a student at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where he maintained a perfect CGPA of 5.0 in his first year and earned multiple scholarships.
“Those opportunities lifted the financial burdens off my shoulders and allowed me to focus on my education. This foundation is my way of giving back, especially in honor of my late mother and all struggling parents who dream of a better future for their children,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, lauded the foundation for what she described as an act of true compassion and faith.
“This is love in action. Prof. Adebamowo is not doing this because he has more money than anyone else, but because he has chosen to prioritize giving back,” she said.
“We should all look inward and ask how we can contribute to the development of our country, even if it’s not with money. Let us not allow our blessings to be drowned by our problems.”
She congratulated the awardees and encouraged them to break barriers and give back in their own ways.
“You must not be limited by your current circumstances. Your resilience will open doors, and someday you will pass this torch to others.”
Pastor Oyeyemi Adebamowo, Deputy Executive Director of PMAF, closed the ceremony with an emotional charge to the students.
“These awards are not just rewards for where you’ve been, but divine endorsements of where you are going,” she said.
“Legacy is not what we leave behind, but who we lift up while we are here. Behind every PMAF award is a message: We see you, we believe in you, and you matter to us.”
Mr. ObabiOlorunkosi Gafar, a PMAF board member, explained the strict criteria behind the selection process, emphasizing that only students with verified financial needs, including orphans and those supporting single parents, were considered. Academic performance also played a key role in the selection.
“These students have shown extraordinary determination. Despite their situations, they continue to strive, and that alone deserves recognition,” Gafar said.
Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Musa Obalola, urged the beneficiaries to view the award as a responsibility.
“This is not free money, it’s a trust. Make it count. Let this be a turning point, not a finish line,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Adewale Ademilola, a 400-level medical student, expressed heartfelt gratitude.
“This gesture proves that help, no matter how little, sends a powerful message. We will not let this opportunity go to waste,” he pledged.
The Prof. Mike Adebamowo Foundation has also pledged continued engagement with beneficiaries through mentorship, career development programs, and community-building initiatives. The foundation calls on individuals, organizations, and stakeholders to partner in expanding the initiative across Nigerian universities.
“Greatness often hides behind need,” said Pastor Oyeyemi Adebamowo. “The PMAF exists to uncover it.”