Bolaji Obabiyi (intern)
The Olowu Saka Matemilola Oluyalo Otileta VII Foundation on Tuesday inaugurated the 2025/2026 batch of Olowu Scholars for Abeokuta North and South education zones of Ogun State.
Penpushing reports that the inauguration themed,’ The Picture of My Future’ which took place at the Olowu Palace, Oke Ago-Owu, Abeokuta, involved participation of secondary school students within the local government areas.
The Grand-Patron of the foundation, Oba (Prof) Saka Matemilola explained that the project was reaffirming commitment to supporting indigent, academically promising students to pursue excellence and prepare for tertiary education.
Penpushing further reports that he said the initiative now in its fourth cycle aims not only to fund examinations for brilliant students but to guide them through a comprehensive academic support system that guarantees long-term success.
The royal father explained that since the first session in 2022–2024, the program has evolved into a full academic pipeline supporting students from SS2 through SS3, offering WASSCE fees, tutorial classes, mentoring, counselling, JAMB readiness classes, and computer-based test (CBT) training.
Penpushing also reports that Matemilola stated that the foundation introduced extramural classes four days a week to ensure beneficiaries are far ahead of the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) syllabus by the time they reach SS3.
The first-class traditional ruler added that some students had never used a computer prior to joining the programme, making the Computer Basic Test (CBT) training particularly crucial for their Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) preparations, noting that the intervention has already yielded remarkable outcomes.
“Since we started during the 2023/2024 session, we have seen massive improvement not only in WAEC results but also in JAMB scores. In the last session, at least 20% of the students scored 300 and above’, he revealed.
Penpushing reports that the monarch encouraged the new scholars to take full advantage of the opportunity, describing them as Nigeria’s future leaders.
“We are doing this because we believe in them. They must be well-behaved, diligent and focused. When they apply themselves, they justify the resources invested and inspire others coming behind’, he added.
Penpushing further reports that the Principal of Methodist High School, Ogbe, Mrs. Adenike Adeola Odukoya, while speaking on the theme, urged the scholars to envision greatness and emulate worthy role models.
“A leader of tomorrow is focused and determined. Your role models could be your teachers or people you admire in society. You must always say to yourself: I can make it!”, she emphasised.
Penpushing also reports that Olori (Ambassador) Adijat Bamidele Matemilola, who presented awards of honour during the ceremony to Mrs Adenike Adeola reminded the students that the programme is a privilege that must be respected.
The Olori recalled that the foundation was launched on October 27, 2023, during the coronation week of the Olowu, to provide sustainable support for educational development across Owu Kingdom.
Penpushing reports that she pointed out that people have been very grateful, adding that many beneficiaries’ indigenes and non-indigenes have felt the impact, and equally advised the newly admitted scholars to be hardworking, truthful and respectful.
The Olori said they should see themselves as unstoppable, stressing that with prayers perseverance and determination they will record success story at the end of the day.
Penpushing also reports that she explained that, beneficiaries for the 2025/2026 set were drawn from prominent public schools across Abeokuta North and South local government areas including St. Peter’s College, Lisabi Grammar School, Abeokuta Grammar School, Baptist Girls’ College, Methodist High School, African Church Grammar School, and Gateway Grammar School.
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