Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, widely known as YAYI, has rewarded a seven-year-old boy named Kendis with N2.5 million and a full scholarship up to university level after the child's portrait of the senator went viral on social media. The lawmaker representing Ogun West announced the gesture on Monday, July 27, 2026, via his official X account, stating that he was deeply moved by the exceptional talent the boy displayed at such a young age.
Viral Portrait Leads to Life-Changing Reward
Kendis was invited to Senator Adeola's Scholarship and Bursary Award Ceremony, where he received the cash gift and the scholarship award in front of other attendees. The young artist had created a portrait of the senator that quickly gained traction online, catching the attention of the lawmaker himself.
Senator Adeola explained that the decision to honour Kendis was driven by a desire to recognise remarkable creativity and encourage the child to continue developing his skills. “We were deeply inspired by the exceptional talent of seven-year-old Kendis, whose portrait of us went viral on social media,” he wrote on X. “We invited the young artist to our Scholarship and Bursary Award Ceremony, where we presented him with a cash gift of ₦2.5 million and a full scholarship up to university level in recognition of his remarkable creativity and to encourage him to keep pursuing his dreams.”
Full Scholarship Covers Education Through University
The full scholarship covers Kendis's education from his current level through to university, ensuring that his academic journey is secured regardless of his family's financial background. Senator Adeola, who is the 2027 All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Ogun state, made the announcement publicly to inspire other young talents across the region.
The ceremony was attended by numerous beneficiaries of the senator's scholarship programme, as well as community leaders and educators. Kendis's parents expressed overwhelming gratitude for the gesture, noting that it would transform the boy's future and encourage him to pursue his artistic passions alongside formal education.
Similar Acts of Generosity in Nigeria
This reward echoes a similar gesture by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, who earlier rewarded 13-year-old Chimdiebube Onwubiko after the student won gold in Mathematics at the International STEM Olympiad held in Rome, Italy. Onwubiko competed against students from 54 countries in the Grades 9–11 category, also winning a silver medal in Science. Governor Mbah announced N2 million each for the student and his Mathematics teacher, Chisom Unachukwu, and N1 million for Evergreen Schools.
Senator Adeola's recognition of Kendis underscores a growing trend among Nigerian leaders to invest in young talent, particularly in the arts and education sectors. The scholarship is expected to cover tuition, books, and other educational expenses up to the university level, providing Kendis with a solid foundation for his future.
