By Ayomide Otitoju
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has fulfilled her ₦10 million education pledge to 12-year-old Ogun State artist, Morenikeji Joshua, less than a month after being impressed by his artistic talent.
The ₦10 million Education Development Trust Fund, presented to Joshua through the Ogun State Government, will support his education up to the tertiary level.
Tinubu announced the pledge on August 18 after seeing Joshua display a portrait he had painted of her during the launch of the South-West Zonal National Food Bank Programme at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
Impressed by the quality of his work, the First Lady invited the young artist to the podium and pledged ₦10 million towards his future education.
Presenting the cheque on her behalf, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun described the gesture as a demonstration that “a promise made is a promise kept.”
Abiodun said the intervention went beyond the financial value of the donation, describing it as an investment in a young Nigerian whose talent had been identified and encouraged.
He commended Joshua for his artistic ability and determination to showcase his work, urging young people to identify, develop and promote their talents.
The governor recalled that he had also intervened in Joshua’s education three years ago after seeing one of his paintings during an exhibition at his office.
According to Abiodun, further interaction revealed that Joshua was still in primary school, prompting him to provide a scholarship covering his primary and secondary education.
With Tinubu’s latest intervention, Joshua’s educational support has now been extended to the tertiary level.
Abiodun said an account had been opened specifically to preserve the ₦10 million fund for Joshua’s educational needs. He also urged Joshua’s parents to continue supporting their son while encouraging the young artist to remain focused and develop his talent.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Strategy, Wahab Alawiye-King, who handed the cheque to Abiodun, said Joshua’s story highlighted the need for education to recognise and nurture different forms of talent.
He said education extended beyond academic performance to include intellectual development, values, emotions and practical skills.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said the intervention was part of broader efforts to support deserving young people.
He disclosed that 21 students from tertiary institutions had also received financial awards, comprising 14 students of Tai Solarin University of Education, six from Babcock University and one from Mountain Top University.
Speaking after receiving the support, Joshua thanked Tinubu for recognising and investing in his talent.
He said the gesture showed that young talents could be identified, valued and encouraged, urging other children to discover their passions, pursue them diligently and continue improving their skills.
