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.
Abayomi Susan
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade Ogunsola, has commended Rite Foods Limited for its unwavering commitment to promoting academic excellence through the Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Awards, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future and a deserving recognition of exceptional academic performance.
Professor Ogunsola gave the commendation on Monday, July 20, while formally presenting the University’s two recipients of the inaugural Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Awards to the institution’s management.
The awardees, Chinedu Okeke Christian, who emerged as the Overall Best Matriculating Student in the South-West geopolitical zone, and Tijesuni Michelle Ogunsua-Dixon, winner of the Equal Opportunity category, presented their scholarship award cheques from Rite Foods to the University management. Notably, the University of Lagos was the only tertiary institution to produce two award recipients at the maiden edition of the awards.
Speaking during the presentation, Professor Ogunsola praised Rite Foods for complementing the efforts of higher institutions through meaningful private-sector investment in education and student development.
According to her, the initiative demonstrates how corporate organisations can make significant contributions to national development by encouraging academic excellence and rewarding outstanding achievements.
“This initiative is a shining example of how the private sector can contribute meaningfully to the advancement of education. By recognising students who have excelled academically while also promoting equal opportunity, Rite Foods is reinforcing the values of excellence, hard work, resilience, and inclusiveness. I am confident this recognition will inspire many young Nigerians to pursue greater academic success,” she said.
Representing Rite Foods Limited at the event, the company’s Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Manager, Dennise Aideloje, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians through education and impactful social investment programmes.
She noted that education remains one of the most valuable investments any nation can make, adding that the Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Award was established to celebrate exceptional students whose dedication, discipline, and outstanding academic accomplishments deserve recognition.
“At Rite Foods, we believe education is one of the greatest investments any society can make. Through the Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Award, we celebrate outstanding young Nigerians whose commitment to excellence deserves recognition. Our hope is that this initiative will not only encourage the award recipients but also inspire many other students to strive for excellence in their academic pursuits,” Aideloje stated.
The Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Award recognises the best matriculating students from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones through a transparent selection process based on candidates’ cumulative performance in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), O’Level examinations, and Post-UTME assessments.
In addition to recognising academic excellence, the initiative honours exceptional students under the Equal Opportunity category, reflecting Rite Foods’ commitment to inclusivity and equitable access to quality educational opportunities.
Expressing their appreciation, the award recipients thanked Rite Foods Limited for the honour, describing the recognition as a source of motivation to remain committed to academic excellence and contribute positively to national development.
Through the Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Awards, Rite Foods Limited continues to demonstrate its dedication to advancing education, nurturing exceptional talent, and empowering the next generation of leaders through strategic partnerships and sustainable social investment initiatives under its EYEC Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Framework.
