Wale Jagun & Mariam Akinloye
-Targets 200 beneficiaries
The Ikorodu -Oga Development Association (IKODASS) has called on interested students from Ikorodu in various higher institutions across the country to apply for its 2026 scholarship scheme targeted at giving 200 beneficiaries educational support in commemoration of the 35th edition of the Ikorodu -Oga Festival.
Beneficiaries will be awarded N100, 000 each as part of the socio -cultural and developmental association’s educational support, totaling N20million.
The scholarship is sponsored by Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Senator representing Lagos East; Rep. Babajimi Benson, representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency; Sen. Abdulazeez Yari, representing Zamfara West Senatorial District and former Governor of Zamfara State; Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, the Odofin of Ikorodu and Chairman, MultiChoice Nigeria; Hon. Gholahan Ogunleye representative of Ikorodu Constituency I; and Hon. Toke Benson, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture.
Also, Dr. Nurudeen Agbaje, Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Rural Development; and Hon. Adedayo Ladega, Chairman, Ikorodu LG pledged their support to the scholarships. Others are Late Mubashiru Akanbi Abiru, Mrs. Babashola, Bishop Ali Benson, Honourable Ugo; Engineer Wasiu Osunwo; Oluwaseun; Otunba Femi Olukotun; AGL Delightsun, I-Heroes, the Achievers Enlightenment Association, Egbe Akile, Elite of the Ikorodu Kingdom, the Late Jimoh Owode Family, Ajalajugba Family, Sir Adewale Oluwatoyin Educational Support Initiative, and the Ajeni-Fuja Family.
According to the timeline released by the IKODASS Scholarship Board at the press conference held at the IKODASS Secretariat, Ikorodu Town Hall Ikorodu, which heralded the opening of the application on Friday, application officially opens August 7th and closes September 7th, 2026.
To register for the scholarship, applicants must be indigene or residents of Ikorodu and can be from any state or federal higher institutions – university, polytechnic or college of education and applicants must be in their penultimate classes and not in their first and final year.
Applicants are also expected to provide proof of their indigeneship with a letter from a recognised authority and an authentication letter from the Local Government, while residents must submit a copy of Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) registration as proof of residency.
Also expected to complete the application is a copy of academic profile, duly signed by the Head of Department or Dean of Students in their institution. Interested applicants must also have a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of not less than 3.5 for universities, or the equivalent of a Higher Credit for polytechnics and colleges of education, as at the time of application.
In his remarks, Alhaji Kolawole Fatai, Chairman IKODASS emphasised the commitment of the association to educational development in Ikorodu through support for students.
“Today is not merely another event on the calendar of the Ikorodu Oga Festival. It is a demonstration of our collective commitment to the education, empowerment and future of our young people.
Education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming individuals, families and communities. As an Association committed to the sustainable development of Ikorodu, we believe that investing in our students is an investment in the future of Ikorodu Kingdom.”
Alhaji Kolawole Fatai further informed, “The scholarship programme represents our determination to ensure that deserving students, particularly those who may face financial challenges, are given an opportunity to pursue their education and develop their God-given talents.”
While commending the Scholarship Committee for the work done so far, Alhaji Fatai also reminded them of the task ahead.
The IKODASS Chairman charged the prospective beneficiaries on the need to appreciate the community gesture by being excellent in their academics and character and represent Ikorodu very well.
“To our prospective beneficiaries. I want you to understand that this scholarship is not simply financial assistance. It is a vote of confidence in your abilities and potential.
We expect you to reciprocate this gesture through hard work, discipline, good character and academic excellence. Wherever you find yourselves in the future, always remember that you are ambassadors of your families, your community and Ikorodu.”
Chairman of IKODASS Scholarship Board, Dr. Abiodun Fatai Abatan, stressing the importance of the scholarship, said it is targeted at supporting students from Ikorodu to improve its human capital.
“There are two important reasons for the scholarship. The first reason is that IKODASS designed it to promote quality higher education by offering financial support to students and residents of this division, in terms of ensuring that it supports them to do well.
Secondly, IKODASS is also interested in ensuring that we enhance our human capacity building.”
While presenting timeline and requirements that must be met by applicants to qualify for the scholarship award, Dr Abatan who is the Director of the Students’ Affairs, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, urged applicants to be diligent in their application.
He also charged residents to take advantage of the opportunity being offered.
‘After the selection, all things being equal, we are going to consider a lot of things. The documents that you have submitted — we are going to conduct a background check on your documents to determine that you have submitted the right documents and that you have not falsified any information for the committee.’
‘Let me use this opportunity to encourage our students and young people to apply for this scholarship.
Please, let us encourage our brothers and our younger ones. Let us all go out to encourage our young people and students in tertiary institutions to apply.”
He called for more public spirited individuals, families and organisations to support the IKODASS initiatives so that more students can benefit.
“Let me make this point: this scholarship, though it is an initiative of IKODASS, is also a goodwill gesture from important personalities in our community.”
“It is also open to other well-meaning IKODASS indigenes and personalities, or even residents, who can support this scholarship. They can also help us to escalate it.
Last year, we gave 100 scholarships to indigenes of Ikorodu. When you look at our population, particularly the youth population, it is a burgeoning population. That means 100 is too small.”
Clarifying issues on level or class of students that can apply, the scholarship board chairman explained:
“Applicants must not be in their first or final year at the time of applying for this scholarship.
“What that means is that they must be in their penultimate classes. For example, some people have four-year programmes. If you are in a four-year programme, 200 Level and 300 Level students are qualified to apply. 100 Level and final-year students are not qualified to apply.
By the time you are in your final year, you are already leaving the system. You go and use the money— you won’t use it for your education again; you may use it for something else.”
Dr Abatan furthered:
“For a five-year programme, 200 Level, 300 Level, and 400 Level students can apply. 100 Level and final-year students are not qualified.”
“For example, if you are studying Medicine, which is a seven-year programme, and you are in first year or seventh year, which is your final year, you are not eligible to apply.
But if you are in 200 Level, 300 Level, 400 Level, 500 Level, or 600 Level, you can apply because you are still in the system and the money will be disbursed for your education,” he said
Applicants are expected to visit the IKODASS website: http://ikoroduoga.org/scholarship-application-form/, fill the goggle form and attach all the supplementary and supporting documents and submit.
