12-Year-Old Morenikeji Joshua Receives Support to Continue Education and Develop Artistic Talent
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has fulfilled her ₦10 million education pledge to 12-year-old Ogun State artist, Morenikeji Joshua, less than a month after his artistic talent caught her attention.
The cheque was handed over to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun by the First Lady’s Senior Special Assistant on Strategy, Wahab Alawiye-King.
Abiodun said the gesture went beyond its financial value, describing it as an investment in a young Nigerian whose talent had been identified and encouraged.
The governor recalled that he had also supported Joshua three years ago after seeing one of his paintings at an exhibition. After learning that the young artist was still in primary school, he awarded him a scholarship covering his education from primary to secondary school.
With the First Lady’s latest intervention, Joshua’s educational support has now been extended to the tertiary level.
Abiodun disclosed that a dedicated account had been opened to preserve the ₦10 million for Joshua’s educational needs.
He commended Joshua for promoting his talent and urged young Nigerians to identify, develop and showcase their abilities.
Meanwhile, Alawiye-King said Joshua’s story demonstrated the need for education to recognise and nurture different forms of talent beyond academic performance.
Ogun Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, also disclosed that 21 tertiary students had received financial awards as part of the broader intervention. The beneficiaries included 14 students of Tai Solarin University of Education, six from Babcock University and one from Mountain Top University.
Joshua thanked the First Lady for recognising and supporting his talent, urging other young people to identify their passions, pursue them diligently and continue improving their skills.