A 17-year-old student, Muslim Adewale, has emerged as the top performer in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) across Lagos Education District Six, earning him a N500,000 scholarship.
Muslim, a graduate of Birch Freeman Senior High School in Surulere, achieved this remarkable feat with 6 As, 1 B3, and 2 C4, excelling in key subjects such as Mathematics.
The scholarship, awarded by God’s Covenant Church of All Nations, Ikeja, was presented during the district’s annual merit awards and honors ceremony. The event celebrated outstanding students, teachers, and administrators across the Ikeja, Mushin, and Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Areas.
Muslim, who also scored 302 out of 400 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), expressed surprise upon receiving the award. He shared with the Nigerian Tribune, “The organizers only called me on the phone and asked me to dress formally without informing me that I would be receiving an award based on my WASSCE result.”
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The young scholar, currently awaiting admission to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to study Computer Science, said the scholarship comes as a huge relief for his family, especially his parents, a commercial bus driver and a petty trader. “But with this N500,000, my parents will be greatly relieved,” Muslim noted.
He thanked his parents, the award organizers, and the sponsors, emphasizing his desire to make a positive impact on his community as a future computer scientist. He also called on other organizations to support his educational journey to ease the financial burden on his family.
During the event, Dr. Shareefah Yusuf, Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Education District 6, praised Muslim and other awardees, urging them to maintain their high standards and strive for even greater accomplishments. “We have been doing this for the last 18 years, and the idea is to encourage those who win awards to strive for more, while also motivating non-awardees to cultivate the habit of doing their best in this noble profession,” she stated.
Additionally, Mr. Olusola Ajala, Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, who sponsored the Vice Principals’ award category, highlighted the importance of community involvement in nurturing the next generation, particularly through responsible social media use.
Akintoye Hassan, chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Lagos State, praised the event, noting that it serves as a reminder to both committed and neglectful staff to take their responsibilities seriously. “Teachers’ rewards are no longer confined to the afterlife but can also be realized on Earth for those who are committed and diligent,” Hassan remarked.
