Award-winning Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold, has set social media abuzz after he announced a ₦250,000 cash reward to high-performing graduates across Nigeria, specifically those who finished with a minimum CGPA of 4.50.
So far, five scholars from different universities have been publicly selected and awarded by the singer.
The beneficiaries are drawn from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Babcock University, University of Ibadan (UI), and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
Adekunle Gold, fondly known as AG Baby, is himself a product of the Nigerian public education system. He studied Arts and Design at the prestigious Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), where he honed the creative instincts that would later define his artistic brand.
The initiative, which appears to be a spontaneous act of generosity, has been warmly received but has also sparked playful yet serious conversations on Twitter (now X).
While the recipients have expressed immense gratitude, with one of them revealing they had just ₦1,700 before receiving AG’s call while other fans have taken to the comments with mixed emotions.
In a viral thread with over 2,000 comments, Nigerians with Second Class Upper (2:1) and even Second Class Lower (2:2) degrees questioned Adekunle Gold’s criteria, asking if only first-class graduates are deserving of recognition.
“Is it only First Class people that listen to your songs?” one user quipped, while another wrote, “We sef dey stream your music in the trenches with our 2:2.”
Despite the banter and debate, many have commended the singer’s gesture as a laudable way to promote academic excellence, especially at a time when Nigerian graduates face harsh economic realities and limited opportunities.
Adekunle Gold has not yet announced whether more recipients will be selected or if the initiative will expand to include students with other academic standings.