The Lateefat Odunuga National Scholarship Foundation has awarded scholarships worth ₦2.1 million to five students with disabilities at Lagos State University (LASU).
The presentation ceremony took place on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate Building, LASU Main Campus, Ojo.
In addition, the Foundation announced a ₦2 million endowment for the best graduating female students in the Department of Psychology, aimed at encouraging young women to pursue excellence in the discipline and strengthening the culture of academic achievement at LASU.
The beneficiaries of the scholarships are Praise Onoigboria, Dominion Uzoma, Rachel Oladosu, Paul Hunga, and Nosiru Idowu—all of whom have displayed remarkable academic brilliance, with Cumulative Grade Point Averages (CGPAs) ranging from 3.71 to 4.35. They were accompanied by Mrs. Bukola Afolami-Arojojoye, Deputy Registrar of the Disability Support Office.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Adenike Boyo, praised the Foundation for its intervention, describing it as “more than charity, but empowerment and equity in action.”
She noted that the initiative underscores the right of every student to learn, grow, and thrive regardless of circumstance.
Prof. Olatunji-Bello further commended the Foundation’s endowment for female psychology students as a forward-looking investment that will inspire academic excellence in a discipline critical to understanding human behaviour and advancing mental health.
Delivering her remarks virtually, the founder and donor, Ms. Lateefat Odunuga, a LASU alumna from the Department of Psychology, explained that her initiative was borne out of her personal journey and commitment to give back. She described the scholarships as a deliberate effort to empower students with disabilities and to motivate young women in psychology, stressing that the programme is about building “a legacy of inclusivity, excellence, and opportunity at LASU.”
Ms. Odunuga urged the beneficiaries to see the award as the beginning of a new chapter, while encouraging them to give back in the future, thereby creating a cycle of empowerment.
The Director of LASU Directorate of Advancement (LASUDA), Prof. Rafiu Okuneye, highlighted the significance of the gesture, noting that students with disabilities often face unique challenges in their academic journeys and deserve every possible support. He applauded the collaborative efforts of various departments in identifying and supporting the beneficiaries.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Praise Onoigboria expressed deep gratitude to the Foundation and LASU, describing the scholarships as “a beacon of hope” that would allow them to concentrate fully on their studies. She pledged, along with her peers, to excel and serve as ambassadors of the foundation’s generosity.
The foundation’s team was led by Barr. Deji Folson and included Mr. Olatunde Ayodele, Mr. Olanrewaju Aluko, Mr. Olajide Kadri, and Mr. Kabiru AbdulKareem.
The ceremony was attended by members of LASU management, officials from the Vice-Chancellor’s office, the Legal Unit, LASUDA, the Disability Support Office, and the Centre for Information and Public Relations (CIPR). The Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel A. Fanu, delivered the vote of thanks.
