The Shina Luwoye Foundation reaffirmed its dedication to nurturing future leaders through a two-phase bursary award ceremony. The first presentation was held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at St. John’s Anglican Church, Abeokuta, followed by the grand ceremony on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Ake Palace.
Across both events, the Foundation awarded ₦6.95 million in scholarships to 36 deserving students, underscoring its ongoing commitment to expanding educational opportunities and uplifting young people across the community.
The 2025/2026 Academic Session Bursary Award continues the foundation’s mission of removing financial barriers to higher education for students from ECOGAS operating communities across Nigeria.
Empowering Dreams Through Education
The scholarship program distributed awards ranging from ₦150,000 to ₦500,000, tailored to support students attending federal universities, state institutions, and polytechnics across the country. The majority of recipients are pursuing their education at institutions including Olabisi Onabanjo University, Lagos State University, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, and Federal University Oye Ekiti, among others.
“This foundation believes that no young person should be denied the opportunity for higher education because of their economic circumstances. These 36 students represent hope, potential, and the future of our communities.”
— Shina Luwoye, Founder
Founder’s Address at the Bursary Award Ceremony, Ake Palace
Your Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR, Okukenu IV, the Alake of Egbaland, distinguished chiefs, board members, parents, and awardees, I warmly welcome you to the 2025/26 Bursary Award Ceremony of the Shina Luwoye Foundation, held in honour of His Majesty’s 20th Coronation Anniversary.
I am grateful to His Majesty, whose encouragement since 2008 inspired me to return home and apply my expertise in the oil industry to drive positive change for our communities. Today, Ecogas proudly employs over a hundred people, fulfilling the promise made to our King and demonstrating the impact of community-driven initiatives.
Since founding this Foundation in 2024, our mission has been clear: remove financial barriers, empower students, honor elders, and develop our communities. We have now supported over 50 students with more than ₦8 million in bursaries.
As Professor Wole Soyinka once said, “The greatest threat to Nigerian society is the wanton destruction of our human and natural resources, and the abandonment of our youth to the whims and caprices of a callous world.” Likewise, “A people who deny their elders the reverence due to them, deny themselves the future.” These words guide our commitment to both youth and elders in our communities.
To the awardees: congratulations! Your hard work and perseverance have distinguished you. While the bursary initially targeted high-GPA students, we prioritized those with strong character, citizenship, and financial need. Your selection followed a thorough pre-qualification process with our consultants, TEASCO Transformation Consultants.
We also thank our partner, Ecogas Energy Resources Limited, for their continued commitment to community development.
Our objectives are threefold:
- Education & Scholarships: Full tuition, stipends, mentorship, and career guidance for deserving students.
- Elderly Welfare: Health, wellness, and dignified care for our elders.
- Community & Sport: Development of recreational and sports facilities for community enrichment.
Our recent projects include the cart house at Abeokuta Golf Club and electrification and access roads in Oloke Community. More initiatives for recreational centres and senior citizen programs are underway.
Awardees, I charge you to make good use of this support, build strong character alongside academic excellence, and give back to future generations. Remember, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” – Mahatma Gandhi.
God bless the Shina Luwoye Foundation, His Majesty the Alake, Egbaland, Ogun State, and all of Nigeria.
— Chief & Chief Mrs. Shina Luwoye FCA, Founders
A Diverse Group of Scholars
The 2025 cohort includes students from various ECOGAS locations, with the largest groups hailing from Abeokuta, Ago Iwoye, and Sagamu. The awards also extended to students from Lagos State and as far as Igbokoda in Ondo State, demonstrating the foundation’s wide-reaching impact.
Among the recipients, 18 male students and 18 female students were selected, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to supporting talented young people regardless of gender while addressing the educational needs within host communities.
Among the notable awards was a special ₦500,000 Overseas Bursary Award presented to Adedamola Adeyemi.
Recipients included both advertised applicants who underwent the foundation’s rigorous selection process and nominees from the church community, ensuring that support reached students through multiple pathways.
Investment in State and Federal Institutions
The scholarship distribution reflected a strategic investment across Nigeria’s educational landscape:
- Students at state universities and polytechnics received ₦200,000 each to help offset the unique challenges of state institution financing
- Federal university students received ₦150,000 each, acknowledging the different fee structures while still providing meaningful support
This differentiated approach ensures that the foundation’s resources create maximum impact for students regardless of their institution type.
Building Tomorrow’s Leaders
The Shina Luwoye Foundation Bursary Award specifically targets returning students who have demonstrated both financial need and academic commitment. Priority is given to orphans, students from low-income families, and those facing persistent difficulty in meeting their educational expenses.
By focusing on students who have already proven their dedication through at least one year of university or polytechnic education, the foundation invests in young people who are positioned to complete their degrees and become positive contributors to their communities.
Looking Ahead
As the 36 scholarship recipients return to their respective institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session, they carry with them not only financial support but also the moral encouragement of a foundation dedicated to their success.
The Shina Luwoye Foundation continues to welcome applications from eligible students in ECOGAS operating communities, remaining committed to its vision that every deserving student should have the opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve their full potential.