Private sector backs education as CSD giant gives N35m to top seven UTME candidates

The organized private sector has continued to support Nigeria’s education system by investing in future leaders  as seven highest-performing candidates in public universities in the 2025/2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across the country’s six geopolitical zones were rewarded by Rite Foods with N5 million each.

Under the initiative in partnership with JAMB, the awardees were selected based on the highest overall admission aggregate in their respective zones, using the same merit-based admission criteria adopted by Nigerian universities. The aggregate combines candidates’ O’ Level results, UTME scores, and post-UTME assessment.

The initiative seen as a push to inspire students to excellence, highlights Rite Foods’ commitment to its sustainability pillars of Education, Youth Empowerment, Environmental Stewardship and Community Development (EYEC), while bringing to life the company’s proudly Nigerian mantra by celebrating excellence, empowering talent, and contributing to national development through education.

At the reward event in Lagos graced by stakeholders in the education sector, Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Rite Foods Limited,  said the celebration of excellence is  a vote of confidence in the potential of Nigerian youths, and a demonstration of what can be achieved when institutions come together to invest in the future of our country.

“At Rite Foods, we firmly believe that Nigeria’s future will be shaped by the quality of its young people. That is why this initiative goes beyond rewarding academic achievement; it is about recognising brilliance, encouraging aspiration, and empowering the next generation of leaders, innovators, professionals, and nation-builders”

He said through the initiative, Rite Foods is committing N35 million annually to reward the highest-performing Matriculants across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. “In doing so, we are sending a clear message to millions of young Nigerians that excellence matters, hard work pays, and outstanding achievement deserves recognition.”

Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education who was represented by Ismaila Adiatu of the ministry who commended Rite Foods for the initiative said sustainable education requires this kind of partnership with the private sector as represented by Rite Foods.

Believing that the award will inspire students to pursue excellence, he listed initiatives by the ministry sch as venture Capital scheme where the ministry grants up to N50 m to allow youth with good proposal to start business.

In his speech, Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of JAMB said this is first time the board is associating with such awards because the Rite Foods initiative resonates with the board mission.

Students rewarded with N5 m each are Okeke Christian from S/West who scored aggregate of 93.9, Okeke is presenting studying Mechanical Engineering; Orzekor Godwin from N/Central who scored aggregate of 92, presently studying Software Engineering; Joshua David from S/East zone scored 92 aggregate and presently studying Software Engineering

Others are James Victor with 92.7 aggregate score from S/South and presently studying  Medicine and Surgery; Vincent Daniel who scored 89.7 from N/Central and studying Medicine and Surgery ; and Luka Francis from N/West who scored 89.5 and presently studying Software Engineering; Michelle Tijesuni Dickson  of JAMB Equal opportunity Group who made 81 aggregate score in JAMB  was also rewarded. She lost her sight following brain surgery. She is presently studying Mass Communication.

As said by Adegunwa, awards come with mentorship opportunities by the Leadership Team of the company as well as opportunities for internship during your undergraduate studies.