UNILORIN Graduates Beat 13,500 Applicants to Mastercard Foundation Scholarship

Two distinguished alumni of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) have been selected as recipients of the prestigious 2025 Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, joining a cohort of 38 scholars chosen globally from a pool of more than 13,500 applicants.

The awardees, Mr. Oke Oluwafemi Lawrence, a graduate of Food Engineering, and Mr. Onigbinde Abdulwasiu, a graduate of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, have both secured admission into McGill University, Canada. They will pursue master’s degrees in Bioresource Engineering (Integrated Food and Bioprocessing) at the world-renowned institution.

Reacting to the achievement, the Acting Head of the Department of Food Engineering, Dr. Sanusi Mayowa Saheed, described the recognition as a reflection of UNILORIN’s tradition of producing graduates of international relevance. He urged the duo to remain exemplary ambassadors of the university on the global stage.

Similarly, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Joseph Olaoye, congratulated the scholars, stressing that their success reinforces UNILORIN’s reputation as the “Better by Far” university committed to nurturing talent for global excellence.

In separate remarks, Oke and Onigbinde expressed gratitude to their families, lecturers, and the Mastercard Foundation for their support. They pledged to dedicate their research to advancing food security, agricultural innovation, and sustainable development in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship is one of the most sought-after awards worldwide, supporting academically gifted students with leadership potential to contribute to inclusive and sustainable progress in their home countries.