Oluwabukolami Adeyemi, the Nigerian student who gained international recognition after emerging as the overall best performer in the 2023 Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge AS Level examinations, has graduated with a First-Class degree in Law from a university in Newcastle, United Kingdom.
The Kogi State indigene attributed her academic success to the scholarship support provided by former Governor Yahaya Bello, describing the intervention as instrumental to the realization of her dream of studying abroad.
Adeyemi came into the national spotlight after recording the highest scores in the Cambridge examinations among candidates from more than 100 countries. Her outstanding achievement attracted commendations from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and several other prominent Nigerians.
In recognition of her exceptional performance, Bello received her at the Government House in Lokoja in August 2023 and announced a fully funded scholarship covering her tuition, accommodation, living expenses and other educational costs throughout her undergraduate studies in the United Kingdom. The scholarship took effect the following month.
After completing her studies with First-Class honours, Adeyemi has now been awarded another scholarship by the former governor to pursue a Master’s degree in the United Kingdom.
In a video expressing her appreciation, the new law graduate thanked Bello for believing in her and supporting her educational journey, describing him as “God-sent.”
Her father, Olumide Adeyemi, also expressed gratitude, saying the scholarship removed the financial burden that would have made it difficult for the family to fund her overseas education despite her outstanding academic ability.
He added that Bello’s support had enabled his daughter to fulfil her academic potential and noted that many other outstanding students had also benefited from similar educational assistance.
Adeyemi first gained global recognition after emerging as the highest-performing candidate in the 2022 Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge AS Level examinations, with the award presented in 2023, placing her among the world’s top-performing students.
