Unilag graduate beats 15 contestants, clinches $1.5m Lebanese Nigeria Initiative scholarship

Friday, August 23, 2019 at 6:59 AM by Joseph Omotayo

- A graduate of petroleum and gas engineering from Unilag, Ajibola Olubando, has emerged winner of the Lebanese Nigeria Initiate (LNI) scholarship

- Olubando beat 15 other graduates to clinch the $1.5 million scholarship prize

- The Lebanese authority said that the country is very much interested in the development of young Nigerians

Ajibola Olubando, a graduate of petroleum and gas engineering from University of Lagos (Unilag), has become the winner of the Lebanese Nigeria Initiate (LNI) scholarship for his academic prowess.

Olubando defeated 15 other competitors for the prize to become the top man of the contest, Vanguard reports.

With the winning, the graduate is the first Nigerian petroleum and gas student to ever win the scholarship.

Photo showing the presentation of the prize to Ajibola. Photo source: Business Insider
Source: UGC

Elias Nicolas, the consul-general of Lebanon, said the scholarship will give strength to the existing relations between both countries as it contributes to the economic and social development of Nigeria.

He said the Lebanese community is interested in helping the educational development of young Nigerians.

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Based on a multilingual and cosmopolitan cultural and social environment, Lebanon accommodates several international recognised higher education institutions.

"Many high caliber minds, scientists and high profile politicians, including heads of state and prime ministers around the middle east and beyond were graduates of the AUB and other Lebanese universities," he said.

The $1.5 million fund in the competition will be given to top Nigerians to attend AUB every year of their lives.

The winner of the contest said he is grateful for the opportunity that MBA graduate study will give him in widening his knowledge base.

"The knowledge I will gain would be used to impact the economy of Nigeria, since MBA gives the opportunity to learn various business skills.

"I looks forward to impacting on the society through this knowledge and work experience, since I have the opportunity to learn in one of the top universities in the world," he said.