UNILAG VC Commends Rite Foods for Promoting Academic Excellence

L-R: Mrs. Temilade Adu, Corporate Communications Manager, Rite Foods Limited; Okeke Chinedu Christian, highest scorer in the 2025/2026 JAMB/UTME in the South-West zone with a score of 93.90, and Mechanical Engineering student, University of Lagos; Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos; Ogunsua-Dixon Tijesuni Michelle, Mass Communication student, University of Lagos, and 2025/2026 UTME scorer of 81.2% under the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Equal Opportunity Group category; and Dennis Aideloje, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Manager, Rite Foods Limited, during the presentation of the National Academic Excellence Awards cheques on Tuesday, 21 July 2026.

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade Ogunsola, has commended Rite Foods Limited for promoting academic excellence through its National Academic Excellence Awards, describing the initiative as a significant investment in Nigeria’s future and a worthy recognition of outstanding students.

Professor Ogunsola gave the commendation on Monday, July 20, during the presentation of the university’s two recipients of the Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Awards to the institution’s management.

According to a statement issued on Friday by Rite Foods’ Media Executive, Adejoke Salami, the University of Lagos emerged as the only tertiary institution to produce two awardees at the inaugural edition of the scholarship initiative.

The beneficiaries are Chinedu Okeke Christian, recognised as the Overall Best Matriculating Student in the South-West, and Tijesuni Michelle Ogunsua-Dixon, winner of the Equal Opportunity Group category. Both students presented their scholarship cheques from Rite Foods to the university management during the ceremony.

Professor Ogunsola praised the company for complementing the efforts of higher institutions in encouraging academic excellence through private sector intervention.

“This initiative is a commendable example of how the private sector can contribute meaningfully to education. By recognising students who have distinguished themselves academically and ensuring that equal opportunity is also celebrated, Rite Foods is sending a strong message that excellence, hard work and resilience deserve to be rewarded. I believe this will inspire many young Nigerians to strive for greater achievements,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the company, Rite Foods’ Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Manager, Dennise Aideloje, reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to supporting education and empowering young Nigerians through impactful social investment programmes.

“At Rite Foods, we believe education is one of the greatest investments any society can make. The Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Award was created to celebrate exceptional young Nigerians whose dedication and outstanding performance deserve recognition. We hope this recognition inspires not only the recipients but many other students to pursue excellence in their academic journey,” Aideloje said.

The statement explained that the Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Award recognises the best matriculating students across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones through a transparent selection process based on candidates’ aggregate performance in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), O’Level results and Post-UTME scores. It also honours exceptional students under the Equal Opportunity category to promote inclusion and equal access to education.

The award recipients expressed gratitude to Rite Foods for the recognition, saying the honour would motivate them to remain committed to academic excellence and contribute positively to society.

The company said the initiative reflects its commitment to supporting education, nurturing exceptional talents and empowering the next generation of leaders through strategic partnerships under its EYEC Corporate Social Responsibility framework.