The National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) has commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for fulfilling his pledge to reward outstanding graduates of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), including the disbursement of ₦2.5 million to the family of the late best graduating student.
In a statement signed by NAOSS National President, Oluwafemi Ajayi (FM Castro), and made available to Dip Connect Online News on Tuesday, the students’ body described the gesture as a demonstration of responsive and compassionate leadership.
Ajayi noted that the governor’s swift action, coming less than two months after the appeal, highlighted his commitment to listening to students and honouring promises.
According to NAOSS, the payment of ₦2.5 million each to nine outstanding MAPOLY graduates, including beneficiaries dating back to 2016, fulfilled the pledge made by Abiodun during MAPOLY’s 15th Combined Convocation Ceremony in June 2025, alongside the approval of a ₦2 billion intervention fund for the institution.
“This rare speed underscores a leader whose ears are open to the people and whose promises are sacred,” the statement said.
Ajayi added that the development reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to excellence in education. The association also praised the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, for his professional handling of the award presentation and consistent advocacy for academic achievement.
NAOSS said it was particularly moved by the inclusion of the family of the late Orisawayi Samuel Emmanuel (Samoriz), who passed away in December 2025 before receiving the reward for his academic achievement.
Receiving the award on behalf of the deceased, his brother Johnson Timileyin recounted the health challenges that preceded his death.
“After treatment, he was able to talk again, but he could not walk very well. We took him back to the hospital,” Timileyin said. “It is not about the money; he earned this through education.” He added that the family plans to use the award to support the education of younger relatives and preserve his legacy.
NAOSS described the gesture as evidence of a government guided by empathy and conscience, stating that Ogun State students were encouraged and reassured by the development.
The association reiterated its appreciation to the governor and the education commissioner, noting that fulfilling the pledge would be remembered as a defining moment in student-government relations in the state.
Dip Connect Online News recalls that the newly elected NAOSS leadership had earlier called on Governor Abiodun to redeem his ₦2.5 million cash reward promise to Orisawayi, the overall best graduating student of MAPOLY for the 2022/2023 academic session, following his sudden death.
Following the emergence of its national leadership on December 13, 2025, NAOSS had held a press conference at the Obafemi Awolowo Presidential Library, where it formally presented its demands to the Ogun State Government, prominently calling for the fulfilment of the governor’s promise to reward outstanding MAPOLY graduates.
Elijah Adeyemi
