By Ibrahim Salaudeen, Lagos
Oladepo Olugbenga’s journey to academic excellence is not just a story of brilliance—it is one of grit, sacrifice, and unlikely support systems.
The overall best graduating student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology has publicly credited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund for playing a decisive role in his success, pushing back against critics who dismissed his acknowledgment as political messaging.
Olugbenga, who graduated with an outstanding 4.89 CGPA in engineering, stirred conversations online after posting a simple but heartfelt message: the federal government’s interest-free loan scheme “made it possible.”
His comment quickly gained traction, amplified by supporters of President Bola Tinubu, including media aide Bayo Onanuga, who cited it as proof of policy impact.
But the attention also drew skepticism, with critics questioning the narrative around the loan programme.
Unfazed, Olugbenga responded—not with rhetoric, but with his life story
•Oladepo Olugbenga
Growing up in a rural part of Osun State, he described a childhood shaped by poverty and persistence. Basic comforts were luxuries. Education, though valued, came at a cost his family could barely afford.
He walked long distances to school, studied under lantern light for years without electricity, and watched his parents juggle menial jobs just to keep the household afloat.
“Survival itself—food and clothing—was a daily struggle,” he recalled.
Yet, amid the hardship, moments of kindness became lifelines.
A coursemate’s father gifted him his first smartphone in university. Lecturers quietly stepped in with clothing and support when needed. Scholarships helped bridge the gaps.
Still, he insists that NELFUND’s intervention was pivotal.
“For me, it was not incidental; it was instrumental,” he said, stressing that his gratitude is rooted in lived experience, not politics.
Olugbenga’s story cuts through the noise of online debate, reframing the conversation from policy arguments to human impact. It is a reminder that behind every statistic or government programme are individuals navigating real struggles—sometimes finding just enough support to keep climbing.
“Not all of us are born with a silver spoon. Some of us climbed by holding on to every rung of legitimate support we could find,” he said.
Now at the peak of his academic journey, he carries not just a first-class degree, but a story that resonates far beyond the classroom—one of resilience, dignity, and the quiet power of opportunity.
