A graduate from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has sparked a wave of reactions online after revealing that he was awarded just N5,000 as the Best Graduating Student in Mechanical Engineering.
With a stellar CGPA of 4.80 out of 5.0, his achievement stands as one of the highest honours, yet the award amount has left many Nigerians questioning the institution’s appreciation for academic excellence.
The graduate took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his accomplishment, accompanied by a photo of himself holding his certificate.
In his post, he highlighted his journey from humble beginnings to graduating with distinction, sharing the bittersweet irony of his prize amount.
“Yesterday, I received the sum of ₦5,000 as the award for Best Graduating Student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Benin for the 2021/2022 Academic Session, having graduated with a CGPA of 4.80/5.0,” he wrote.
Despite the modest prize, he expressed gratitude for the recognition and pride in his accomplishments as a student leader and athlete, adding, “Looking forward to better days ahead 🙏.”
However, as his post circulated, Nigerians voiced their discontent with the institution’s token award. Many commented on the disparity between the award amount and the years of dedication required to achieve top honors. Some pointed out the irony, noting that the award effectively amounts to “₦1,000 per year” for his five-year programme.
Public Reactions Pour In
The post ignited debate, with comments reflecting both humor and disappointment:
@winnpxl commented: “The money they gave in the 1990s, they’re still giving it in 2024. Congratulations, better things ahead for you.”
@Wynwonder encouraged him, saying, “Congratulations. Trust you’ll invest it wisely.”
@OkoliDG highlighted the symbolic amount, joking, “For the 5 years. That’s 1k for each year. Shout out to Uniben.”
@ogbonnia criticized the stagnant awards, writing, “They always review school fees but it never crosses their mind to review prize winners’ awards.”
Others offered advice, with @penforme suggesting, “God forbid bad thing. But congratulations brother. Please actively begin to seek out masters scholarships. You’ll get placements in the US or Europe if you persist.”
This incident has rekindled discussions on the treatment and motivation of high-achieving students in Nigerian institutions. Many argue that higher education institutions should reward academic excellence in a way that reflects its value, offering students a springboard into further achievements. Whether UNIBEN and other institutions will respond to the public sentiment remains to be seen, but the issue underscores a broader call for the enhancement of academic awards across the country.
