A recent proposal by Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, has stirred a vibrant national conversation on the value and reward of academic excellence in Nigeria. Using his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Onyia suggested that first-class graduates should be awarded ₦10 million each by their respective state governments. The idea, he believes, would serve as a strong motivator for academic brilliance among Nigerian students.
“First class graduates should be awarded ₦10M each by their state governments in today’s Naira,” Onyia tweeted. “This will be a huge encouragement to academic excellence amongst students.”
To strengthen his argument, Onyia referenced former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, who in March 2014 awarded ₦1 million each to 160 Anambra indigenes who graduated with first-class honours from universities across Nigeria. At the time, ₦1 million was equivalent to $6,060. Today, that same amount in dollars equals approximately ₦9.4 million.
According to Onyia, Obi used his security vote, a controversial fund often criticized for lack of accountability to recognize academic merit rather than for extravagant convoys or personal perks. “He used his security vote not for convoys, but to reward brilliance,” Onyia added, lauding the former governor’s initiative as a benchmark for progressive leadership.
The statement has since sparked a wave of reactions across social media and educational circles. Many Nigerians supported the suggestion, emphasizing the need to place greater value on merit and intellectual achievements in a country where entertainment and scandal often dominate public discourse.
One user commented, “It is only profanity like BBN that gets such attention and accolades. Rewarding first-class graduates with ₦10M will be a huge catalyst for more academic successes amongst our young graduates.” Another contributor added, “This kind of investment in human capital will yield long-term dividends for the nation. Let’s celebrate merit and make education truly rewarding!”
However, the proposal was not without criticism. Some Nigerians raised concerns about the practicality and sustainability of such rewards. Others questioned whether mere cash gifts were the best incentive for academic achievement. “Why not give them industry access to be able to make use of their ‘first class’? 100% job placement in top corporations should be more of the encouraging factor,” one respondent suggested.
In a similar vein, another user recommended a broader inclusion metric. “It mustn’t be just the conventional first class. Any CGPA of 4.30 and above should be considered a first-class lower division because I don’t understand why a CGPA of 3.50 is still called second-class upper.”
Scepticism also arose concerning the political will and integrity of Nigerian leaders to implement such a policy. “Recently found out all past governors are entitled to their salaries, six new cars every three years, and a pension stipend of around ₦10 million monthly. This right here? It’s very workable. Whether it’s possible is another question entirely,” one X user lamented.
Others were bluntly cynical. “With state governors having fake certificates & even forged common SSCE, how do you expect them to truly appreciate academic excellence? Maybe in Niger Republic, not Nigeria,” another wrote, alluding to several certificate scandals that have rocked the political class.
While the feasibility of Onyia’s proposal remains under debate, his call has reignited national discussions on how best to incentivize excellence in education. It has also spotlighted a pressing issue: how can Nigeria, facing brain drain and low educational funding, better reward and retain its brightest minds?
For now, many agree that the conversation alone is a necessary starting point. Whether through financial incentives, employment guarantees, or structural reforms in higher education, the recognition of intellectual merit appears overdue in Nigeria’s developmental discourse.
