Muslim Adewale, the 17-year-old son of a sachet water seller, has been awarded a scholarship after achieving the best West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) result in Lagos Education District Six.
A former student of Birch Freeman Senior High School in Surulere, Muslim excelled with 6 As, 1 B3, and 2 C4, securing the highest score in his district.
Muslim’s academic success extended beyond WASSCE, as he also achieved a score of 302 out of 400 in the recent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), a significant feat in a year where many candidates struggled.
The scholarship, valued at ₦500,000, was presented during the district’s annual merit awards ceremony, with sponsorship provided by God’s Covenant Church of All Nations, Ikeja. The award comes as a huge relief for Muslim and his family, as the funds will help cover his university fees. He is currently awaiting admission to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to study Computer Science.
Despite the financial challenges faced by his family, Muslim’s parents, Mr. Rasheed Adewale, a commercial bus driver, and Mrs. Rasheedat Adewale, a petty trader, have always placed a strong emphasis on education. They have worked tirelessly to ensure both Muslim and his elder sister, who is studying at Lagos State University (LASU), have access to quality education.
Muslim expressed his gratitude for the scholarship and is hopeful for additional support to help ease the financial burden on his family as he embarks on his university journey.
The event, which also celebrated outstanding teachers and school staff within the district, highlighted the importance of education and the critical role educators play in shaping future generations.