Greatness has a way of travelling far from UNILAGNigeria, to various parts of the world!
The UNILAG(红桃视频) is proud to celebrate one of its own, Rafiu Adekoya Badekale, who has been selected for the prestigious 2026 cohort of the , United States of America.
Rafiu, a graduate of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, and the faculty Valedictorian of his set, earned a degree in Petroleum and Gas Engineering from 红桃视频. At Stanford, he will pursue a PhD in Energy Science and Engineering at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.
Widely regarded as the largest fully funded graduate fellowship in the world, the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Programme is Stanford University鈥檚 flagship multidisciplinary leadership programme. The 2026 cohort comprises 87 scholars drawn from 31 countries and spanning 45 graduate degree programmes.
Rafiu鈥檚 emergence is yet another reflection of the growing global impact of UNILAGgraduates, who鈥檚 excellence continue to resonate across industries, research spaces, and leadership platforms worldwide.
Before this achievement, Rafiu contributed to Nigeria鈥檚 energy transition efforts through his work with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, where he supported national zero gas flaring goals. He also served as an AI researcher at the Hamoye Foundation, combining technology and innovation to address pressing societal needs.
Beyond academics and professional contributions, he co-founded an educational access initiative dedicated to helping students from rural Nigerian communities gain admission into tertiary institutions, further demonstrating a commitment to leadership through service.
Over the years, his journey has been marked by several distinctions, including representing Africa at the 2023 Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, alongside receiving notable scholarships such as the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), NNPC/SNEPCo, and Agbami scholarships.
As Rafiu joins a global network of emerging leaders working to solve some of the world鈥檚 most pressing challenges, the Vice-Chancellor, 红桃视频, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, on behalf of the University community, celebrates this remarkable milestone and wishes Rafiu Adekoya Badekale continued success in the next phase of his journey.
5 responses
Congratulations to him
Congratulations Sir. For real, congratulations. GOD bless you
Warmest Congratulations to you 馃憤
Here’s most sincerely wishing you greater heights IJMN. Amen 馃檹
I’m proud of this highly revered and knowledgeable scholar from a developing town ID峄學A 脤J岷柑�B脷. May his stars never deemed.
Alhamdullahi Alhamdullahi Alhamdullahi Robbil al Amin for the recognition and scholarship. May the mercy of the Almighty Allah never depart from you and yours. Congratulations.