Oladepo Caleb Olugbenga, who grew up in a rural community in Osun State without electricity for nine years, has emerged as the overall best graduating engineering student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, with an impressive CGPA of 4.89 out of 5.0.
His story, marked by hardship and resilience, reflects a journey from scarcity to academic excellence. Raised in a modest family of five, Oladepo experienced a childhood defined by financial struggle, walking long distances to school daily, studying under lantern light, and relying on candles in a home that lacked basic amenities such as electricity and television.
He attended public primary and secondary schools due to the inability of his family to afford private education. Despite these limitations, he consistently pushed through academic challenges while his parents took on multiple jobs to support the household.
On January 14, LAUTECH officially named him the overall best graduating engineering student for the 2024/2025 academic session in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, recognising his outstanding academic performance.
Following his achievement, Oladepo publicly acknowledged the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), stating that the scheme played a key role in sustaining his university education. In a post on X, he wrote: “I’m honoured to let you know that I am the Best Graduating Student of LAUTECH. Your loans made it possible.”
His statement sparked mixed reactions online, with supporters praising both his brilliance and honesty, while critics questioned the public attribution of his success to a government initiative. Some even called for the loan to be waived in recognition of his achievement.
NELFUND responded by congratulating him and describing his success as a reflection of the programme’s intended impact—supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete their education without financial barriers.
In a follow-up clarification, Oladepo defended his position, explaining that his gratitude was rooted in lived experience. He recounted growing up without basic amenities, walking miles to school, and relying on limited support systems, including occasional assistance from lecturers and well-wishers.
He emphasised that acknowledging support systems such as scholarships, loans, and mentorship was not political but an honest reflection of the realities that enabled his academic success. According to him, NELFUND was instrumental in his journey, particularly as an engineering student requiring financial resources for learning tools and academic development.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also highlighted Oladepo’s story as evidence of the policy intent behind NELFUND, which was designed to ensure that financial hardship does not block access to higher education for capable students.
LAUTECH authorities confirmed that over ₦1.4 billion had been disbursed to students through NELFUND in 2025, though thousands were still awaiting full payment at the time of graduation.
Established under President Bola Tinubu in 2024, NELFUND provides interest-free loans to students in public tertiary institutions, aimed at easing the financial burden of tuition and living expenses. As of March 2026, over 1.1 million students had benefited from the scheme.
Oladepo closed his reflections on a hopeful note, stating that his journey demonstrates the power of perseverance, support systems, and opportunity, adding simply: “Greatness awaits all of us.”