In an inspiring act of recognition and support, President Bola Tinubu’s Personal Assistant on Special Duties, Mr. Kamorudeen Yusuf, has awarded a full academic scholarship to a 16-year-old UTME candidate, Sodiq Shoyode, who scored an impressive 360 in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Sodiq, a native of Ado-Odo Local Government Area in Ogun State, captured national attention after the release of his UTME result, which rapidly went viral on social media. His feat placed him among the highest scorers in this year’s examination and ignited conversations about Nigeria’s potential if young talents are adequately supported.
Moved by the teenager’s brilliance and resilience, Yusuf reached out to the Shoyode family to offer tangible support. In a statement released on Monday, the presidential aide announced that he would sponsor Sodiq’s university education and also fund his training in digital technology.
“As part of this scholarship package, Sodiq will receive a laptop and undergo training in Back End Software Development at a top digital academy in Lagos,” the statement said. “His university education will be fully funded to ease the financial burden on his parents and allow him to focus entirely on academic and personal growth.”
Sodiq, who has a dream of becoming a Mechanical Engineer, also expressed a keen interest in building digital skills to complement his academic pursuits. Speaking with reporters, the young scholar revealed that he had set his UTME target since Senior Secondary School One (SS1).
“I have always had the goal of scoring 360 and above in JAMB since I was in SS1, and I’m glad I was able to achieve it,” he said. “I dedicated myself to consistent studying, frequent practice tests, and weekly reviews to identify areas I needed to improve.”
His study method, he said, included simulated mock exams and a disciplined routine, which helped him maintain focus. Sodiq credited his parents for their emotional and moral support throughout his preparation.
“My parents stood by me through every step. I owe a lot of my success to their sacrifices,” he said. “And to Mr. Kamorudeen Yusuf, I am immensely grateful. His gesture has taken a huge load off my family.”
Yusuf’s intervention has been widely praised by educators, parents, and civil society groups as a timely example of how government aides and institutions can positively influence youth development.
“This is the kind of leadership that fosters hope,” said Adewale Bakare, an education consultant based in Lagos. “We need more people in public office identifying and supporting our youth in practical ways like this.”
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) also acknowledged the efforts of high performers like Sodiq and reiterated its commitment to improving the UTME process to ensure more students have fair chances to excel.
With this scholarship, Sodiq Shoyode is not only positioned for success in the university but is also on a path toward building technological expertise that could shape the future of innovation in Nigeria.
As stories like Sodiq’s continue to emerge, they highlight the importance of early mentorship, targeted support, and the need to invest in Nigeria’s next generation of leaders, scientists, and innovators.