JAMB/ Rite Foods to Reward Seven Outstanding Undergraduates with ₦5 Million Each; The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in partnership with Rite Foods Limited, will host the Maiden Academic Excellence Recognition Award Ceremony in Lagos on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, to honour seven Nigerian undergraduates who demonstrated exceptional academic performance during the 2025 admission exercise.
Each award recipient will receive a cash prize of ₦5 million.
The initiative, sponsored by Rite Foods Limited, reflects the shared commitment of both organisations to promote academic excellence, reward merit, and encourage Nigerian students to strive for outstanding educational achievements.
Seven Outstanding Students to Receive ₦5 Million Each
A total of seven undergraduates will be recognised during the maiden edition of the Academic Excellence Recognition Award.
The recipients were selected based on their exceptional performance in both the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the Post-UTME or admission screening exercises conducted by their respective universities.
The awards are divided into two categories:
- Six candidates representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
- One highest-performing admitted candidate living with a disability.
This structure ensures nationwide representation while recognising academic excellence among students living with disabilities.
How the Awardees Were Selected
JAMB coordinated the selection process using a transparent and merit-based approach.
The assessment considered candidates’ performance in:
- The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
- The Post-UTME or admission screening conducted by the admitting university.
The award recognises candidates who excelled in both the national entrance examination and their respective university screening processes.
Universities Represented by the Award Winners
The award recipients come from the following universities:
- University of Lagos – South-West Zonal Winner
- University of Uyo – South-South Zonal Winner
- Federal University of Technology, Owerri – South-East Zonal Winner
- Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia – North-West Zonal Winner
- University of Maiduguri – North-East Zonal Winner
- Federal University of Technology, Minna – North-Central Zonal Winner
- University of Lagos – Candidate Living with Disability Award
Notably, the University of Lagos produced two award recipients, making it the only institution with multiple winners in the maiden edition.
Date and Venue of the Award Ceremony
The Maiden Academic Excellence Recognition Award Ceremony will take place on:
- Date: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
- Venue: Lagos
The event is expected to attract more than 300 guests from Nigeria’s education sector, government, academia, corporate organisations, and the media.
The ceremony will formally recognise students who distinguished themselves during the 2025 admission exercise.
Expected Dignitaries
Several prominent personalities are expected to attend the ceremony, including:
- The Honourable Minister of Education
- JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede
- Vice-Chancellors of the universities attended by the award recipients
- Vice-Chancellors of universities in Lagos State
- Executive Secretaries and Chief Executives of major education regulatory agencies
- Principal officers of tertiary institutions
- Education stakeholders
- Development partners
- Corporate leaders
- Students
- Members of the media
Regulatory agencies expected at the event include:
- National Universities Commission (NUC)
- National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)
- National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE)
Why the Award Is Based on the 2025 Admission Exercise
The Academic Excellence Recognition Award is linked to the 2025 admission exercise because the selected students distinguished themselves through outstanding academic performance during the admission process.
Selection was based on results obtained in both the UTME and the admission screening conducted by their respective universities.
The award recognises candidates who had already secured admission into their institutions, rather than applicants still awaiting admission.
What Makes the Maiden Edition Special?
The 2026 ceremony marks the first-ever edition of the Academic Excellence Recognition Award.
The maiden edition is significant because:
- All six geopolitical zones of Nigeria are represented.
- A special category recognises the highest-performing admitted candidate living with a disability.
- The University of Lagos produced two award recipients, the highest by any institution in this edition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will each award recipient receive?
Each of the seven awardees will receive ₦5 million.
Are the award recipients already admitted students?
Yes. The award recognises students who had already gained admission after excelling during the 2025 admission exercise.
Does the selection cover all geopolitical zones?
Yes. Six awardees represent Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, while the seventh award is reserved for the highest-performing admitted candidate living with a disability.
Which university produced two award recipients?
The University of Lagos produced two awardees—one as the South-West Zonal Winner and another in the Candidates Living with Disability category.
Who sponsored the Academic Excellence Recognition Award?
The award is sponsored by Rite Foods Limited in partnership with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
