- ABU awarded ₦10 million to its best graduating student.
- Ayodele Joseph Babalola emerged top of his class.
- The award was presented during the 45th convocation ceremony.
- Journalists were barred from covering the event venue.
A Nigerian student, Ayodele Joseph Babalola, has been awarded ₦10 million after emerging as the best graduating student of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, during the institution’s 45th convocation ceremony.
The prestigious award was presented at the university’s recent convocation ceremony, where Babalola was publicly recognised for his outstanding academic performance.
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During the event, he was handed a cheque bearing the ₦10 million prize, a gesture many described as a strong statement by the institution in support of academic excellence.
Observers at the ceremony said the reward was not only for academic brilliance but also a recognition of discipline, consistency, and years of dedication.
“This is a reward for hard work and consistency,” a university source said at the event.
However, the convocation ceremony was not without controversy.
On the same day, the Security Division of Ahmadu Bello University reportedly barred journalists from covering the ceremony at the Mamman Kontagora Square, the official venue of the event.
Correspondents from several media organisations, including the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Daily Trust, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC), Nagarta Radio, and NTA Zaria, were denied access to the venue.
No official explanation was immediately provided for the action.
