Paradigm Initiative (PIN) has announced the winners of the 2025 edition of the Taiwo Bankole Scholarship Award, an award dedicated to empowering exceptional young people from the Ajegunle community with educational funding and preserving the legacy of the late Taiwo Bankole Ogunyemi, a pioneering volunteer of PIN’s work for his role in improving the lives of young people across Nigeria, especially in Ajegunle. 

This announcement was made at this year’s award ceremony, which brought together the beneficiaries, their guardians, and stakeholders to celebrate the year’s scholarship recipients – youth who have demonstrated academic promise, resilience, and a commitment to creating meaningful impact. Through the scholarship, beneficiaries will receive support for university studies in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) or Law, throughout the duration of their university study, preparing them for new opportunities and to compete globally.

This year’s award ceremony celebrates a total of 10 beneficiaries, up from a previous 4,  five male and five female awardees for the scholarship, namely;

1. Oyeyinka Ojora, a Medicine and Surgery student at the University of Ibadan. 
2. Adedayo Selim Akanfe, a Medicine and Surgery student of the University of Jos.
3. Ishola Basit Ademola, a Computer Engineering student of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State.
4. Shittu Quyum Adigun, a Medicine and Surgery student of the University of Ibadan.
5. Soliu Shuaib Ayomide, a Common and Islamic Law student of Lagos State University 
6. Boluwatife Osunnuga, a Biochemistry student at the University of Ibadan.
7. Goodness Otiede, a Cybersecurity student at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Delta State.
8. Deborah Jesutin Kugbe, a Portuguese and English Language student at Lagos State University.
9. Ozah Sarah Oshioname, a Chemistry student at Lagos State University.
10. Havilah Inemesit Bassey, a Radiography student at the University of Uyo.

Also present at the award ceremony were beneficiaries from previous years of the award, who shared inspiring stories about how the scholarship had positively influenced their education.  “Ever since I got the Scholarship, my CGPA has increased as I’ve been able to focus more on my school work with reduced distractions,” said Esther Adeniran, a beneficiary of the award in 2024.

Speaking at the event, ‘Gbenga Sesan, PIN’s Executive Director, highlighted how the scholarship programme is aligned with PIN’s work of advancing tech education and preparing underserved youth for the digital future across the continent. “ No child should have to struggle for opportunities,” he said. 

The Ajegunle Legacy Scholarship, where the Taiwo Bankole award falls, is a programme by Paradigm Initiative launched in April 2023, as a way of giving back to the community and recognising PIN’s early beginnings in Ajegunle. The scholarship was named after the area to support resident youth/students in securing university education.