UNILAG First-Class Graduate Samuel Badekale Wins Prestigious Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
Samuel Badekale, the University of Lagos prodigy who made headlines for graduating with a perfect 5.00 CGPA in Cell Biology and Genetics, has secured the highly competitive Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in Bio-membranes scholarship. The award, funded by the European Union, will allow Badekale—UNILAG’s 2023/2024 Overall Best Graduating Student and Best in Sciences—to study across three leading European universities over the next two years: Université Côte d’Azur in France, University of Genoa in Italy, and University of Osnabrück in Germany. The programme’s curriculum covers advanced fields such as Membrane Biology, Neuroscience, and Experimental Medicine, equipping scholars with cutting-edge expertise for global careers in research and medicine. “Education isn’t a scam” Announcing the achievement on his official X (formerly Twitter) page, Badekale described 2025 as “amazing in every way,” sharing his excitement about being the only Nigerian and West African recipient of the award. “As I look back, I see a young boy from Mushin, with a big dream: to explore the world and make a positive impact,” he wrote. “And today, by God’s faithfulness, that dream is gradually becoming a reality. Truly, with God, every dream is achievable, even those that seem impossible.” He also encouraged young Nigerians to embrace education as a pathway to global opportunities: “Hold your education tightly. Come out with the best grades possible, strive for excellence. Education isn’t a scam. It’s a weapon. Use it.” About the Erasmus Mundus Programme The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Plus initiative is an EU-funded scholarship designed to prepare outstanding scholars for careers as practitioners, researchers, and policymakers in biomedical and related fields. Its interdisciplinary approach provides students with international exposure and hands-on research opportunities across multiple institutions. For Badekale, the scholarship marks another milestone in an already trailblazing academic journey—and a beacon of inspiration for Nigerian students aspiring to global excellence.
