By Esther Onyegbula

At a time when thousands of Nigerian undergraduates struggle daily under the weight of tuition fees, economic hardship and fear of dropping out, one organisation is quietly rewriting destinies, one student at a time.

This was the atmosphere on Saturday as the Sohcahtoa Foundation held its 2025 Undergraduate Scholarship Award Presentation 2.0, where 100 students received financial support described not merely as charity, but as a “turning point” in their lives.

For many beneficiaries who had studied under candlelight, borrowed textbooks, or contemplated abandoning school altogether, the day felt like the first page of a new chapter.

The strongest message came from the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation, Solape Fayemi, who declared that the initiative was “not just a scholarship, but an investment in futures, possibilities and the destiny of Nigeria.”

“Today, we are not just giving out scholarships,” she said, her voice steady but emotional. “We are investing in destinies… in the future of Nigeria. To every student here, physically or online, you matter. Your dreams matter. And today is proof that you do not walk this journey alone.”

For many in the room, her words echoed their struggles.

The scholarship covers ₦250,000 per student, a fund intended to ease tuition and other academic expenses for one academic year.

According to Fayemi, the Foundation received thousands of applications, but selection was anchored on transparency, academic performance, personal stories, and genuine financial need.

“Every story matters,” she stressed. “But because we can only pick 100 each year, we carefully select the top 100 candidates. Our criteria include their results, their discipline, and their need.”

She encouraged those who were not selected this year to “never give up,” noting that several beneficiaries tried more than once before making the list.

“Some applied last year and didn’t get it. But they applied again this year and succeeded. With hard work and God on their side, they will achieve the future they desire,” she assured

Representing the Lagos State Scholarship Board, Mr. Ajinde Adebowale, who stood in for Executive Secretary Mrs. Rasheedat Daranijo, applauded the Foundation’s contribution to youth development, describing the support as “giving life to 100 students.”

He issued a firm reminder that beneficiaries must remain disciplined:

“You are receiving this scholarship because you are in school. You dare not lose focus. If your school says you are not worthy to remain as a student, the scholarship is gone, and that will bring shame to your family.”

Adebowale also announced the Board’s readiness to collaborate with Sohcahtoa Foundation to expand scholarship reach across Lagos.

“Together, we can build a future where no child is denied the chance to learn, grow and lead,” he said.

One after another, beneficiaries stepped forward to share stories filled with perseverance, gratitude and relief.

For Adedeji Oluwatimilehin, a final-year student of the Federal University of Technology, the award arrived “at the exact moment it was most needed.”

“This is my second time applying,” he said, smiling broadly. “The first time I didn’t get it. When I saw the mail that I was selected this year, I was very, very happy.”

Another recipient, Elizabeth Ayoola, a medical student from Olabisi Onabanjo University, described the process as rigorous but fair.

“The screening was proper, the test, the scrutiny, the shortlisting. When I finally saw my name, I felt relief. Deep relief,” she said. “School expenses are overwhelming. This feels like a heavy burden lifted.”

She urged other students never to underestimate their worth:
“Your dream is as wide as you can imagine. Internalize that you are worth it. Everything is possible.”

For Obayemi Richard of Obafemi Awolowo University, persistence made all the difference.

“I applied last year but wasn’t picked,” he recalled. “This year, I strengthened my application. I volunteered, joined research groups, participated in community projects. And I got it. This scholarship will make my studies easier.”

Fayemi’s keynote speech added a philosophical and moral depth to the ceremony.

She urged beneficiaries to carry three things with them as they pursue their education: gratitude, excellence and responsibility.

“This scholarship is not pressure,” she said. “It is permission, permission to dream bigger than your circumstances. Education will open doors, but it is who you become that determines how far you will go.”

She reminded the audience that every child sponsored today represents a future leader capable of breaking socioeconomic cycles.

“That is how nations are built. That is how stories change,” she added.

The Sohcahtoa Foundation, she explained, is an NGO focused on empowering young Nigerians through education, food support, and vocational training.

“Our vision is to help young people create a brighter future for themselves,” she said.

Every year, the Foundation opens its scholarship portal in August, using its website and social media platforms to reach students nationwide.

The thousands who apply each cycle are proof of how deep the need for educational support runs in Nigeria.

As the hall echoed with applause for the 100 recipients, it was clear that the event was more than a ceremony, it was a collective affirmation of hope.

Parents wiped silent tears. Students held on to their certificates as though holding their dreams. Volunteers and partners stood with pride, knowing they were part of something bigger than charity.

For these young Nigerians, the scholarship represents not just money, but a message:

You are seen. You are deserving. Your future is valid.

And as Fayemi put it:

“Our dream is simple: that one day, each of you will look back and say, this was the turning point.”