UNILAG Best-Graduating Student, David Akanmu, Awarded Prestigious Stanford University Scholarship
David Akanmu, the 2024 best-graduating student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has been awarded the prestigious Knight-Hennessy Scholarship to Stanford University.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
David Akanmu, the distinguished best-graduating student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 2024, has been granted a prestigious Knight-Hennessy Scholarship to Stanford University. This announcement was made by the Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University, highlighting Akanmu as one of five Africans selected for the 2024 cohort, and notably, the sole representative from an African-based tertiary institution.
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The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program revealed that UNILAG stands as the only African university among the 60 institutions worldwide from which the 2024 cohort of 90 new scholars emerged. This marks the seventh and most extensive cohort since the establishment of the award.
Akanmu's selection for this esteemed scholarship underscores his exceptional academic prowess and leadership qualities. With a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.0 in Civil Engineering, he distinguished himself at the UNILAG Convocation Ceremonies held in January 2024.
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program at Stanford University is a comprehensive graduate fellowship initiative spanning all seven schools at the university. Scholars are granted up to three years of financial support to pursue graduate studies at Stanford, coupled with experiences aimed at cultivating visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders equipped to tackle global challenges.
Expressing her pride, Vice-Chancellor Prof Folasade Ogunsola extended congratulations to Akanmu on behalf of the University Senate and the entire UNILAG community. Akanmu's achievement marks the third time a UNILAG graduate has been honored with the Knight-Hennessy Scholar Award.
In a statement, Stanford University's president emeritus and the Shriram Family Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars, John L. Hennessy, emphasized the importance of nurturing future leaders in addressing the increasingly complex challenges facing the world.
Akanmu's journey to pursue a Ph.D. in Energy Science and Engineering at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability represents not only a personal triumph but also a testament to UNILAG's commitment to producing exceptional scholars capable of making significant contributions to their fields and society at large.
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As Akanmu prepares to embark on this remarkable academic endeavor, his achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring scholars across Africa and underscores the potential for excellence within the continent's educational institutions.
