Oluremi Tinubu fulfils N10m education pledge to 12-year-old artist
September 11, 2026 8:10 pm
L-R: Father of the 12-year-old artist who recently presented a portrait of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to her in Abeokuta; Mr Bosun Morenikeji, Senior Special Assistant, Public Administration, Office of the First Lady of Nigeria; Mrs Adeola Bali; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King, Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs and Strategy, Office of the First Lady of Nigeria; the artist’s mother, Mrs Taiwo Morenikeji; and the young artist, Ebunoluwa Morenikeji, holding a dummy cheque of ₦10 million, representing the cash gift promised her by Senator Oluremi Tinubu in Abeokuta.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has fulfilled her ₦10 million education pledge to 12-year-old Ogun State artist, Master Morenikeji Joshua, less than a month after she was impressed by his artistic talent.
The ₦10 million Education Development Trust Fund, presented to Joshua through the Ogun State Government, is to support his education through the tertiary level.
The First Lady made the pledge on August 18 after spotting Joshua displaying a portrait he had painted of her at the launch of the South-West Zonal National Food Bank Programme at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
Impressed by his work, Senator Tinubu invited the young artist to the podium and pledged ₦10 million towards his education.
Presenting the cheque on behalf of the First Lady, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described the fulfilment of the pledge as a demonstration that “a promise made is a promise kept.”
In a statement on Friday, Abiodun said, “This gesture goes beyond the financial value of the donation, it as an investment in a young Nigerian whose talent had been identified and encouraged.
“Joshua must be commended for his artistic ability and determination to showcase his work, other young people too.must identify, develop and promote their God-given talents.
“Young Joshua Morenikeji is someone who wants to be heard, he wants to be seen, he wants his talent to be appreciated, and that is a very strong virtue.
“The truth is that if you are not out there promoting yourself, nobody is likely to promote you”.
The governor recalled that he had personally intervened in Joshua’s education three years ago after seeing one of his paintings during an exhibition at his office.
According to Abiodun, further interaction with the young artist revealed that he was still in primary school, prompting him to provide a scholarship to take Joshua through primary and secondary education.
“I immediately announced a scholarship in his favour to see him through primary to secondary school, and that has been done,” he said.
With the latest intervention by Senator Tinubu, Joshua’s educational support has now been extended to the tertiary level.
Abiodun expressed appreciation to the First Lady for the gesture, describing her as a promise keeper and a strong supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He disclosed that an account had been opened specifically to ensure that the ₦10 million fund was preserved for Joshua’s educational needs.
“We extend our deepest appreciation for this gift of ₦10 million, whose account has been opened specifically for this purpose,” the governor said.
The governor also congratulated Joshua’s parents, urging them to continue supporting their son and encouraging the young artist to remain focused and further develop his talent.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Strategy, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King, who handed over the cheque to Governor Abiodun, said Joshua’s story underscored the need for education to recognise and nurture different forms of talent.
He explained that education was not limited to academic performance but encompassed the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains, covering intellectual development, values and emotions, as well as practical skills.
Speaking after receiving the support, Joshua thanked Senator Tinubu for recognising and investing in his talent, saying the gesture demonstrated that young talents could be seen, valued and encouraged.
He urged other children to identify their passions, pursue them diligently and continually work to improve their talents.
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