Investing in Brilliance: How Rite Foods Is Empowering Nigeria’s Future Through Academic Excellence
Clement Odum
In a bold demonstration of its commitment to education and youth development, Rite Foods Limited has launched the National Academic Excellence Awards in partnership with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), committing N35 million annually to reward Nigeria’s highest-performing students across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The maiden award ceremony, held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together senior government officials, education administrators, university representatives, corporate leaders, civil society organisations, teachers and students to celebrate academic excellence and encourage merit-based achievement.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Rite Foods Limited, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, described the initiative as more than an award programme, saying it represents a long-term investment in Nigeria’s future.
“Today is more than a ceremony. It is a celebration of excellence, a vote of confidence in the potential of Nigerian youth, and a demonstration of what can be achieved when institutions come together to invest in the future of our country,” he said.
Adegunwa explained that beneficiaries would be selected through a transparent, JAMB-led assessment combining their WAEC, UTME and Post-UTME performances, ensuring that only students with exceptional academic records receive the awards.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, commended Rite Foods for supporting academic excellence, describing the initiative as a timely intervention that would motivate young Nigerians to pursue excellence through hard work and integrity.
Representing the Minister of Education, Dr. Ismaila Adetunji praised the company for investing in the future of Nigerian youths, noting that such private-sector support complements government efforts to improve access to quality education.
The event was attended by representatives of the University of Lagos, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, education stakeholders, non-governmental organisations, teachers and students from several secondary schools across Lagos and Ogun states.
The initiative is expected to become an annual national programme aimed at promoting merit, rewarding outstanding academic performance and encouraging more Nigerian students to strive for excellence.
