- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has announced a ₦500 million endowment fund for Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, aimed at rewarding outstanding academic performance among students of the institution.
The First Lady made the announcement during the commissioning of the TETFund-sponsored ICT Experience Centre at the university’s main campus in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, 30th May, 2026.
The ₦500 million endowment fund, instituted in honour of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will provide annual awards in three categories:
– *Best Graduating Student*
– *Best Female Graduating Student*
– *Best Male Graduating Student*
The initiative is designed to promote academic excellence, reward exceptional performance and encourage healthy academic competition among students of the university.
Speaking at the event, Senator Tinubu commended EKSU for its academic achievements and reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading state universities. She noted that the endowment fund would serve as a motivation for students to strive for excellence while contributing meaningfully to national development through education, innovation and leadership.
The First Lady also explained that the ICT Experience Centre, facilitated through her office under the Renewed Hope Initiative in partnership with TETFund, was established to equip Nigerian students with relevant digital skills and prepare them for opportunities in the rapidly evolving global digital economy.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele, expressed profound appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the landmark intervention, describing both the ₦500 million endowment fund and the ICT Experience Centre as transformative contributions to the university’s academic and technological advancement.
Professor Ayodele noted that the endowment fund would further strengthen the culture of excellence within the institution while motivating students to remain focused on achieving academic distinction.
He described the ICT Experience Centre as a dream come true for the university and a major milestone in EKSU’s journey towards becoming a globally competitive institution driven by innovation, research and digital excellence.
The Vice Chancellor further lauded the Governor of Ekiti State and Visitor to the University, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for his visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to the advancement of higher education in the state.
He equally appreciated the First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, for her continuous support for educational development and student welfare.
According to him, the Governor and his wife played significant roles in facilitating developmental initiatives and creating an enabling environment that has enabled EKSU to attract landmark projects, including the newly commissioned ICT Experience Centre and other strategic interventions.
