Yahaya Bello-Sponsored Scholar Achieves First-Class Law Degree in UK

Oluwabukolami Adeyemi, who previously earned national acclaim as the top performer in the 2023 Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge AS examinations, has successfully completed her Law degree with first-class honours from a university situated in Newcastle, United Kingdom. Her academic journey was made possible through a scholarship awarded by the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Ms. Adeyemi first garnered widespread recognition in 2023 when she distinguished herself by achieving the highest scores globally in the Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge AS examinations. This remarkable feat, surpassing over 100 candidates from more than 100 nations, drew commendation from notable figures including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Peter Obi, the erstwhile presidential candidate of the Labour Party, among other prominent Nigerians.

An indigene of Yagba West Local Government Area, Oluwabukolami was hosted by Governor Bello at the Kogi State Government House in August 2023. During that visit, the then-governor publicly declared his commitment to fund her entire academic pursuit in the United Kingdom, covering tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and all other associated costs. Her recent graduation with first-class honours in Law validates the exceptional academic potential she demonstrated previously.

In light of her outstanding performance, Governor Bello has further extended his support, offering her an additional scholarship to undertake a master's degree program also in the United Kingdom. In a heartfelt video expressing her gratitude, Oluwabukolami hailed the former state executive as a “God sent to humanity”.

Mr. Olumide Adeyemi, Oluwabukolami’s father, conveyed his profound appreciation to Bello for facilitating his daughter's education. He acknowledged that this timely intervention transformed her aspiration of studying overseas into a tangible reality, admitting that financing her foreign education would have been a significant challenge for him, notwithstanding her exceptional academic prowess. Mr. Adeyemi further noted that Bello’s philanthropic efforts had extended to numerous other students, both prior to and following his daughter’s scholarship, and offered prayers for the former governor’s sustained blessings, good health, and longevity.

It was in September 2023 that Governor Bello solidified his commitment, formally initiating the private scholarship to bolster Oluwabukolami’s legal studies in the United Kingdom. This commitment followed her reception of the prestigious Cambridge award for achieving the highest scores in the 2022 Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge AS Level examinations, outperforming students across 146 different countries.