The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in partnership with Rite Foods Limited, will host its maiden Academic Excellence Recognition Award Ceremony in Lagos on Tuesday, 30 June 2026. Seven outstanding Nigerian undergraduates have been selected to each receive N5 million for their exceptional performances during the 2025 admission exercise.
The initiative aims to reward academic merit and encourage excellence among young Nigerians pursuing higher education. According to a statement by JAMB's spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the beneficiaries earned their places after excelling in both the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the Post UTME or other admission screening processes conducted by their respective universities.
Merit-Based Selection Process
JAMB stated that the selection followed a transparent, merit-based process. The seven awardees include one student from each of Nigeria's six geopolitical zones and one candidate living with a disability who recorded the highest performance among admitted applicants. Each recipient will receive a N5 million award sponsored by Rite Foods Limited.
The recognised institutions are the University of Lagos, University of Uyo, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, University of Maiduguri and Federal University of Technology, Minna. The University of Lagos emerged as the only institution with two award recipients: one student secured the Southwest zonal award, while another received the award reserved for the highest performing admitted candidate living with a disability.
Expected Dignitaries and Attendees
More than 300 guests are expected at the event, including education administrators, university leaders, government officials, development partners, corporate executives, students and members of the media. Expected dignitaries include the Minister of Education, the outgoing Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, vice chancellors from the universities of the award recipients, heads of tertiary education regulatory agencies and principal officers of higher institutions.
JAMB said the recognition programme reflects a shared commitment with Rite Foods Limited to encourage academic excellence and reward deserving students across the country. The ceremony marks the first edition of the Academic Excellence Recognition Award and is expected to celebrate academic achievement while encouraging students across Nigeria to strive for outstanding performance.
Previous Top Scorer Achievement
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a 16-year-old candidate from Ogun state, Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin, emerged as the highest scorer in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination after recording an aggregate score of 372. Her result was announced during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions organised by JAMB in Abuja. Reacting to the achievement, the candidate said disciplined preparation and smart study methods contributed to her success.
