Rite Foods Honours Seven Outstanding UTME Candidates With N35m

Rite Foods Limited has partnered with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to reward seven undergraduates with a combined N35 million and internship opportunities, honouring them as the highest-scoring candidates in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The gesture forms part of the company’s broader push to promote academic excellence in the country.

The awards were presented at a well-attended ceremony at the Civic Centre in Lekki, Lagos, with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, university vice-chancellors, and parents.

In his welcome address at the event, Managing Director of Rite Foods,  Mr Seleem Adegunwa, said the initiative was conceived to celebrate excellence, build confidence, and show what institutions can achieve when they invest in the country’s future. He explained that through the programme, the company has committed to recognising high-performing candidates nationwide and sending a clear message to young Nigerians that “excellence matters, hard work pays, and outstanding achievement deserves recognition.”

“As a proudly Nigerian and truly world-class company, Rite Foods was built on the conviction that Nigerian excellence can compete with the very best anywhere in the world. Our journey from a homegrown enterprise to one of Nigeria’s most admired fast-moving consumer goods companies reflects the power of vision, innovation, resilience, and a firm commitment to quality. Those same values are at the heart of this partnership”, Adegunwa added.

“Through this initiative, Rite Foods is committing N35 million annually to reward the highest-performing Matriculants across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. In doing so, we are sending a clear message to millions of young Nigerians: excellence matters, hard work pays, and outstanding achievement deserves recognition”, he said.

“Education remains one of the most powerful drivers of national development. No nation can rise above the quality of its human capital, and no economy can achieve sustainable growth without investing in the education and empowerment of its youth. For us, therefore, supporting education is not merely a corporate responsibility; it is a national imperative”.

“This initiative is a direct expression of our corporate citizenship philosophy and our sustainability agenda, which is anchored on our EYEC framework—Education, Youth Empowerment, Environmental Stewardship, and Community Development”.

Backing education goes beyond corporate social responsibility — it is a national priority, given that no company can grow sustainably without investing in the education and empowerment of its youth.

The Managing Director said beneficiaries were chosen based on their post-UTME results, ensuring that academic excellence was matched with actual admission into institutions.

“The programme recognised the highest-performing candidate from each of the six geopolitical zones, as well as candidates from public institutions.

“Importantly, the initiative is focused on students whose access to financial support can make a significant difference in helping them pursue their academic aspirations,” he added.

Adegunwa said the company has also supported school infrastructure development and the supply of educational materials, adding that investing in young Nigerians remains one of the most meaningful contributions the company can make to national development. He affirmed that the partnership with JAMB would continue as part of Rite Foods’ broader sustainability agenda, which spans education, youth empowerment, environmental stewardship, and community development.

In his speech, the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, praised the company for insisting that only matriculated students be celebrated, noting that many organisations reward high scorers without checking whether they were actually admitted.

“But what is unique about this organisation is that they were looking for the kernel of it. They are talking about matriculated students, since many high-scoring applicants are not admitted.

“If I have a wrong combination in UTME, or I don’t have the required subjects, then why celebrate somebody who will not be admitted? That’s what makes the proposal from the company very unique,” Oloyede stated.

He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to remain persistent.

Breaking down the top performers by zone: the University of Maiduguri produced the highest scorer in the North East with 89.75 per cent; the Federal University of Technology, Minna, topped the North Central with 92 per cent; the Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, led the North West with 89.5 per cent; the University of Uyo topped the South-South with 92 per cent; while the University of Lagos (UNILAG) led the South West with 93.8 per cent. Oloyede also pointed out that one of the South West awardees, a student living with a disability, was recognised for outstanding performance.

The beneficiaries are Orzekor Aondohemba Godwin (Benue State), Vincent Daniel (Taraba State), Luka Francis Miendwas (Kaduna State), Joshua David Chidiebere (Abia State), James Edidiong Victor (Akwa-Ibom State), Okeke Chinedu Christian (Anambra State), and Ogunsua-Dixon Tijesuni Mitchelle (Ondo State).

Representing the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, Special Adviser Dr Ismaila Adiatu said the initiative aligns with the federal government’s agenda to reposition education for global competitiveness. He noted that the minister has launched the Nigerian education sector renewal initiative, aimed at producing graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills, innovation, and character needed for the 21st century.

Addressing the awardees directly, Adiatu said the honour comes with a responsibility to remain focused, disciplined, and committed to excellence. She also urged parents, guardians, and teachers to keep investing in their children, noting that their sacrifices had contributed to the success being celebrated.

Profile Of The Awardees

1. Vincent Daniel – Northeast Region

An outstanding scholar representing the Northeast Region. A graduate of Deeper Life High School, Jalingo, Taraba State, Vincent is currently studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Maiduguri. He earned an exceptional JAMB admission aggregate score of 89.72%. Inspired by a passion for improving healthcare, he is committed to making meaningful contributions to humanity through medicine.

Rite Foods proudly celebrates Vincent Daniel as the Northeast Best Matriculant for the 2025/2026 Academic Session. 

2. Okeke Chinedu Christian – Southwest Region

Representing the Southwest Region, Christian is a graduate of St. Jude’s Private Secondary School, Festac, Lagos. He is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos, where he earned an exceptional JAMB admission aggregate score of 93.90%. Chinedu aspires to advance science and engineering through innovations that improve lives.

Rite Foods is honoured to recognize Okeke Chinedu Christian as the Southwest Best Matriculant for the 2025/2026 Academic Session.

3. Orzekor Aondohemba Godwin – North Central Region

Representing the North Central Region, Godwin is a graduate of New Covenant Christian College International, Makurdi, Benue State, Orzekor is studying Software Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Minna. He recorded an outstanding JAMB admission aggregate score of 92.00%. 

Passionate about technology, Orzekor is committed to developing innovative software solutions that address Africa’s challenges.

This outstanding achievement earns Orzekor Aondohemba Godwin recognition as the North Central Best Matriculant for the 2025/2026 Academic Session.

4. Edidiong Victor James – South-South Region

 Representing the South-South Region, James is a graduate of Redemption Academy, Uyo. He distinguished himself as the Overall Best Graduating Student in Academics. He is currently studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Uyo. He achieved an outstanding JAMB admission aggregate score of 91.75%. Inspired by his father’s commitment to healthcare, he is dedicated to serving humanity through medicine.

 Rite Foods proudly salutes Edidiong Victor James as the South-South Best Matriculant for the 2025/2026 Academic Session.

5. Joshua David Chidiebere – Southeast Region

Representing the Southeast Region, Chidiebere is a graduate of the Air Force Primary and Air Force Secondary Schools, Port Harcourt. He emerged as the Best Graduating Student of his set and the Best JAMB Candidate across Air Force Secondary Schools in Nigeria. He is studying Software Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. He earned an outstanding JAMB admission aggregate score of 92.00%. He is passionate about technology, innovation, and excellence.

Joshua David Chidiebere is proudly recognised as the Southeast Best Matriculant for the 2025/2026 Academic Session.

6. Francis Luka Miendwas – Northwest Region

Representing the Northwest Region, Miendwas is a graduate of Incubators Academics, Kaduna State, Francis is an internationally recognized Gold Medalist at the 2024 Africa Mathematics Olympiad. He is currently studying Software Engineering at the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia. He achieved an impressive JAMB admission aggregate score of 89.50%. He is committed to using technology and innovation to solve real-world problems.

Rite Foods celebrates Francis Luka Miendwas as the Northwest Best Matriculant for the 2025/2026 Academic Session.

7. Tijesuni Mitchelle Ogunsua-Dixon – JAMB Equal Opportunity Group Award

Tijesuni Mitchelle Ogunsua-Dixon, recipient of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group Award.

Despite losing her sight following brain tumour surgery, Tijesuni refused to let adversity define her future. She is currently studying Communication and Media Studies at the University of Lagos. She earned a JAMB admission aggregate score of 81.20%. She is a passionate advocate for inclusive education, accessibility, and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Rite Foods proudly honours Tijesuni Mitchelle Ogunsua-Dixon for demonstrating that determination, resilience, and purpose can overcome every obstacle.