The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, in partnership with Rite Foods Limited, will host the Maiden Academic Excellence Recognition Award Ceremony in Lagos on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, to celebrate seven Nigerian undergraduates who performed at a high academic level during the 2025 admission exercise.
Each recipient will receive N5 million.
The award is sponsored by Rite Foods Limited and it reflects the shared aim of both bodies to support academic excellence, reward merit and encourage young Nigerians to pursue strong educational outcomes.
Who Will Receive the N5 Million Academic Excellence Awards?
Seven undergraduates will be honoured at the ceremony. Each awardee was selected based on outstanding performance in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME and the Post-UTME or admission screening exercise conducted by the admitting university.
The award covers two clear groups:
- Six candidates representing the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria
- One highest-performing admitted candidate living with a disability
This structure gives the award a national spread, while it also recognises academic performance among candidates living with disability.
How Were the Awardees Selected?
JAMB coordinated the selection process. The winners emerged through a rigorous, transparent and merit-based process linked to their performance during the 2025 admission exercise.
The selection considered performance in:
- The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME
- The Post-UTME or admission screening exercise of the admitting university
This means the award is tied to both national entrance performance and university admission screening outcomes.
Which Universities Produced the Award Recipients?
The winning candidates came from the following universities and award categories:
- University of Lagos, South-West Zonal Winner
- University of Uyo, South-South Zonal Winner
- Federal University of Technology, Owerri, South-East Zonal Winner
- Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, North-West Zonal Winner
- University of Maiduguri, North-East Zonal Winner
- Federal University of Technology, Minna, North-Central Zonal Winner
- University of Lagos, Candidates Living with Disability Award
The University of Lagos produced two award recipients at the maiden edition. It is the only university with two recipients on the list.
When and Where Will the Award Ceremony Take Place?
The Maiden Academic Excellence Recognition Award Ceremony will take place in Lagos on Tuesday, 30 June 2026.
The event will bring together more than 300 guests from Nigeria's education sector, government, academia and the corporate community. The ceremony is expected to serve as a formal recognition of academic merit among students admitted during the 2025 admission exercise.
Who Is Expected to Attend the Ceremony?
The ceremony is expected to attract senior stakeholders from across Nigeria's education system and related sectors.
Expected dignitaries and guests include:
- The Honourable Minister of Education
- The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede
- Vice Chancellors of the award-winning candidates' universities
- Vice Chancellors of universities in Lagos State
- Executive Secretaries and Chief Executives of key regulatory agencies
- Principal officers of tertiary schools
- Education stakeholders
- Development partners
- Corporate leaders
- Students
- Members of the media
The regulatory agencies listed for attendance include the National Universities Commission, NUC, the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE and the National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE.
Why Is the Award Linked to the 2025 Admission Exercise?
The award is tied to the 2025 admission exercise because the recipients distinguished themselves through their admission performance. Their results in UTME and their respective university screening exercises were used as the basis for recognition.
The award therefore recognises candidates who had already been admitted, rather than applicants who were still awaiting admission outcomes.
What Makes the Maiden Edition Notable?
The ceremony marks the first edition of the Academic Excellence Recognition Award. It is also notable because six geopolitical zones are represented and a separate category recognises the highest-performing admitted candidate living with a disability.
The University of Lagos also stands out in this first edition, as it produced both the South-West Zonal Winner and the recipient in the Candidates Living with Disability category.
Common Questions About the JAMB and Rite Foods Academic Excellence Awards
How Much Will Each Awardee Receive?
Each of the seven award recipients will receive N5 million.
Are the Awardees Already Admitted Students?
Yes. The award recognises admitted candidates who performed at a high level during the 2025 admission exercise.
Did the Selection Cover All Geopolitical Zones?
Yes. Six winners represent the six geopolitical zones, while the seventh award recognises the highest-performing admitted candidate living with a disability.
Which University Produced Two Award Recipients?
The University of Lagos produced two recipients. One is the South-West Zonal Winner, while the other is the recipient of the Candidates Living with Disability Award.
Who Sponsored the Award?
Rite Foods Limited sponsored the award.
