More than half of the students who applied for the 2025/2026 Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) Scholarship and Bursary Programme have failed to make the final list after the selection process ended with widespread disqualifications over forged documents and eligibility violations.
Out of over 12,000 applications received, only 5,441 students were shortlisted, leaving more than 6,500 unsuccessful applicants.
The Scholarship and Bursary Board, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Dapo Oke, said 1,735 students qualified for the scholarship category, while another 3,706 were selected for bursary awards.
According to the Board, the bursary beneficiaries include 2,026 students from Ogun West Senatorial District, 946 from Ogun Central and 734 from Ogun East.
It explained that Ogun West’s beneficiaries were spread across the district’s five local government areas, with Ipokia producing the highest number of bursary recipients at 500, followed by Yewa North with 465, Yewa South with 451, Ado-Odo/Ota with 308 and Imeko-Afon with 302.
For the scholarship category, Ipokia again recorded the highest number of beneficiaries with 493 students, ahead of Ado-Odo/Ota (425), Yewa North (361), Yewa South (270) and Imeko-Afon (186).
The Board said many applications did not survive the verification stage after officials uncovered forged academic records, fake transcripts, examination results without institutional authentication and falsified local government identification certificates.
Applicants who had already graduated, as well as students enrolled in sandwich, part-time and private institutions outside the scheme’s guidelines, were also removed from the selection process.
The Board described the screening exercise as rigorous, saying the verification process was designed to ensure that only qualified students benefited from the programme.
Successful applicants are expected to receive invitations for the award ceremony, while further details on the disbursement process will be communicated later.
The Yayi Scholarship and Bursary Scheme, sponsored by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, provides financial support to students across Ogun State pursuing higher education.
