The Gbemiga Abiodun Education Support Programme in Ogun State has increased its beneficiaries from 831 in the 2025/2026 award year to 1,277 for the 2026/2027 academic session, while introducing entrepreneurship support and digital skills training to promote youth empowerment and self-reliance.
The programme, established in memory of Gbemiga Abiodun, the late son of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, provides educational support to students from primary to tertiary levels, with the aim of ensuring that financial challenges do not prevent young people from achieving their academic ambitions.
Speaking at the fourth edition of the programme on Friday, October 9, 2026, Governor Abiodun disclosed that 831 beneficiaries received scholarships worth a total of ₦99.1 million during the 2025/2026 award year.
For the 2026/2027 academic session, the programme will support 336 primary school pupils, 584 secondary school students, 83 technical college students and 274 tertiary institution students, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 1,277.
The governor said the latest award cycle had been extended to all nine local government areas in Ogun East Senatorial District to widen access to educational assistance.
He disclosed that the application process attracted more than 3,000 online applications, including over 1,500 from indigenes of Ogun East.
Following the selection process, 150 new tertiary-level beneficiaries were selected, while 124 continuing beneficiaries brought the total number of tertiary scholarship recipients to 274.
Beyond the scholarship awards, the programme will provide additional support to 80 Senior Secondary School Three students preparing for their examinations and transition to tertiary education through its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Support Programme.
The initiative will cover assistance with Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration, revision and practice through the LearnOn WhatsApp platform, as well as continued engagement with students and their parents.
Abiodun said the programme was designed not only to ease the financial burden on families but also to equip beneficiaries with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills needed to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to society.
He noted that the technical college scholarship category, introduced in 2025, had begun producing encouraging results, with beneficiaries receiving ₦150,000 each to acquire basic training equipment.
According to the governor, some recipients are already practising their trades, securing paid assignments and improving their livelihoods, demonstrating the benefits of combining vocational education with practical tools.
Building on the progress, the 2026/2027 programme will introduce business start-up and entrepreneurship support for graduating technical college and tertiary institution beneficiaries with viable business ideas.
Twenty selected beneficiaries are expected to receive business development training, mentorship and start-up support of up to ₦250,000 each.
The programme will also introduce a digital skills initiative for 30 selected tertiary institution beneficiaries. The training will cover digital marketing, software development, data analytics, cybersecurity, and user interface and user experience design.
The governor said the initiative reflected his family’s determination to turn the pain of losing their son into opportunities for young people whose education might otherwise be interrupted by financial hardship.
“Nothing can replace Gbemiga. But through this programme, our love for him reaches young people whose education might otherwise be interrupted by hardship,” he said.
He acknowledged the contributions of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, led by Commissioner Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, to the implementation and expansion of the programme.
Arigbabu commended the initiative for helping students overcome financial barriers to education and urged beneficiaries to remain focused, disciplined and committed to their studies.
He encouraged the students to make effective use of the opportunities available to them, emphasising the role of education in developing the knowledge and skills required for personal growth and societal development.
The programme coordinator, Reverend Bola Oyeledun, also highlighted its expanding reach, particularly its extension to all nine local government areas in Ogun East Senatorial District, which has widened access for eligible students.
Lamisa Abiodun, sister of the late Gbemiga, congratulated the beneficiaries and encouraged them, especially those in technical colleges, to take their training seriously and apply their skills productively.
She stressed the importance of vocational education in preparing young people for employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.
Governor Abiodun expressed appreciation to the foundation’s board and management, the ministry, teachers, school administrators, community leaders, partners and supporters for their contributions to sustaining the programme.
He also urged parents and guardians to remain actively involved in their children’s education by monitoring their progress, encouraging them and maintaining close communication with their teachers.
The Gbemiga Abiodun Education Support Programme was established in honour of the governor’s late son, whose desire to help others continues to inspire the family’s commitment to education, skills development and youth empowerment.
Abiodun expressed hope that the initiative would continue to expand, reach more students and ensure that no child’s potential was limited by their family’s financial circumstances.
