Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has presented ₦5 million cash rewards to Israel Adekunle Adeniyi and Oluwatomisin Promise Daniel, the overall best and second-best graduating students of the 2026 Nigerian Law School, during a reception in Ilorin. The governor also pledged to fully sponsor their postgraduate studies at Ivy League universities abroad once they secure admission.
Governor Rewards Top Law School Graduates
Israel Adekunle Adeniyi, an indigene of Offa, Kwara State, emerged as the overall best graduating student at the 2026 Nigerian Law School graduation ceremony in Abuja. Oluwatomisin Promise Daniel, from Idofin Igbana in Oke Ero Local Government Area, finished as the second-best overall graduate. Both scholars previously studied law at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
Governor AbdulRazaq invited the young lawyers to a personal reception to celebrate their achievements and encourage other students across the state. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, he described them as "academic wonders" who brought laurels to the state.
Postgraduate Sponsorship Pledge
Beyond the ₦5 million cash gift, the governor revealed that both graduates plan to pursue Master's degrees at Ivy League institutions in the United States. He pledged to fund this academic endeavour once they secure admission. "In addition to the cash gifts of ₦5 million apiece, I was fascinated by their plans of going for their Master’s degrees at some Ivy League institutions across the Atlantic, and I accordingly pledged to fund this academic endeavour once they secure their admission," AbdulRazaq stated.
The governor emphasised that the reward is a token of appreciation for hard work and dedication, saying, "We care for excellence and hard work in any field."
Governor Rejects 'School is Scam' Narrative
Governor AbdulRazaq used the opportunity to counter the growing belief among some Nigerian youths that education no longer guarantees success. He asserted that the achievements of Adeniyi and Daniel prove otherwise. "In what gives a lie to the 'school is a scam' refrain these days, Israel and Oluwatomisin are already doing very well after school as young legal scholars," he said.
The governor congratulated both graduates and wished them successful careers in the legal profession. The recognition aligns with a trend of state governments introducing incentives to encourage academic excellence among young Nigerians pursuing professional careers.
