UNILAG’s Best Graduating Studen Secures Erasmus Mundus Scholarship With Perfect 5.0 CGPA

• He is the only Nigerian and West African selected for the EU-funded award, which will take him to universities in France, Italy, and Germany over the next two years to study Membrane Biology, Neuroscience, and Experimental Medicine.

• He also used the opportunity to encourage students to pursue excellence through education.

UNILAG’s 2023/2024 Overall Best Graduating Student, Samuel Badekale, who finished with a perfect 5.00 CGPA in Cell Biology and Genetics, has won the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in Bio-membranes scholarship.

He is the only Nigerian and West African selected for the EU-funded award, which will take him to universities in France, Italy, and Germany over the next two years to study Membrane Biology, Neuroscience, and Experimental Medicine.

Announcing the achievement on X, Samuel described it as “a dream come true.”

“2025 has been amazing in every way! Pleased to announce the next step in my journey: selected as the only Nigerian and West African for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in Biomembranes, studying across three world-class universities in France, Italy and Germany.”

Reflecting on his humble beginnings in Mushin, Lagos, he added, “As I look back, I see a young boy from Mushin, with a big dream: to explore the world and make a positive impact. And today, by God’s faithfulness, that dream is gradually becoming a reality.”

He also used the opportunity to encourage students to pursue excellence through education.

“To my younger self and every student out there: Trust God. Hold your education tightly. Come out with the best grades possible, strive for excellence, because education is still one of the most powerful keys to move from your local community to the global stage. Education isn’t a scam. It’s a weapon. Use it.”