The Gbemiga Abiodun Education Support Programme has increased its reach from 831 beneficiaries in the 2025/2026 award year to 1,277 for the 2026/2027 academic session, while introducing entrepreneurship support and digital skills training to equip young people with practical skills for employment and self-reliance.
The programme, established in memory of the late Gbemiga Abiodun, son of Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, supports students from primary to tertiary levels and seeks to ensure that financial difficulties do not prevent young people from pursuing their educational ambitions.
Speaking at the fourth edition of the programme on Friday, October 9, 2026, Governor Abiodun disclosed that 831 beneficiaries received scholarships totalling ₦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 to 1,277 beneficiaries.
The Governor explained that the latest award cycle had been extended to all nine local government areas in Ogun East Senatorial District to broaden access to educational assistance.
He disclosed that the application process attracted more than 3,000 online applications, including over 1,500 from Ogun East indigenes. Following the selection process, 150 new tertiary beneficiaries were selected, while 124 continuing beneficiaries brought the total number of tertiary scholarship recipients to 274.
Beyond the scholarship awards, the programme will support 80 Senior Secondary School Three students preparing for their examinations and transition to tertiary education through its UTME and SSCE Support Programme.
The intervention will provide assistance with Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration, revision and practice through the LearnOn WhatsApp platform, alongside continued engagement involving students and their parents.
Governor 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 category, introduced in 2025, had begun producing encouraging results, with beneficiaries receiving ₦150,000 each to acquire basic training equipment.
According to him, some recipients are already practising their trades, undertaking paid assignments and improving their livelihoods, demonstrating the value of combining vocational education with practical tools.
Building on this intervention, the 2026/2027 framework 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, offering training in 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 transform the pain of losing their son into opportunities for other 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, under the leadership of 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 encouraged beneficiaries to remain focused, disciplined and committed to their studies.
He urged the students to make effective use of the opportunities available to them, noting the importance of education in developing the knowledge and skills required for personal growth and societal development.
The programme coordinator, Reverend Bola Oyeledun, highlighted the initiative’s expanding reach, particularly its extension to all nine local government areas in Ogun East Senatorial District, which has broadened access for eligible students.
Lamisa Abiodun, sister of the late Gbemiga, also congratulated the beneficiaries and encouraged them, particularly those in technical colleges, to take their training seriously and apply their skills productively.
She emphasised 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 engagement 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 the hope that the initiative would continue to expand, reach more students and ensure that no child’s potential was limited by the financial circumstances of their family.
