Adekunle Gold Sends ₦250K to First Class Grads, Excludes OAU Over Old Grudge

Award-winning Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold set social media abuzz on Wednesday after rewarding several First Class and Distinction graduates with ₦250,000 each — but the generous gesture came with a pointed reminder of his rocky past with Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

The unexpected giveaway began with a cryptic tweet: “If you graduated with First Class, post your transcripts.” Though he didn’t offer any context, many users quickly responded by sharing their academic records.

Hours later, Adekunle followed up with a second tweet: “Check your DM, you might have been picked.” Before long, screenshots of credit alerts began circulating, as grateful recipients shared how the ₦250,000 gift came at a critical moment — with one admitting she had just ₦1,700 in her account.

So far, at least 11 graduates have publicly confirmed receiving the cash reward, including a Distinction graduate who was initially passed over due to her message settings being restricted.

However, the celebration came with a subtle jab. Adekunle Gold made it clear that OAU graduates were not included in his benevolence, advising them not to bother posting their results. He followed that up by posting the cover of Rick Ross’s “God Forgives, I Don’t”, a not-so-subtle reference to his lingering resentment toward the university.

The tension traces back to 2015, when Adekunle Gold performed at OAU with only a few songs in his catalogue. Technical difficulties reportedly affected the show, leading to repeated performances of “Sade”, his breakout single. Frustrated students reacted harshly — booing the artist, storming his hotel, physically harassing him, and allegedly making off with ₦150,000 of his ₦300,000 performance fee.

Nearly a decade later, the artist’s latest posts suggest that the incident remains fresh in his memory. While his act of generosity drew praise, his refusal to include OAU grads sparked fresh conversation about the long-standing grudge.

Still, for the beneficiaries of his goodwill, the gesture offered not just financial relief, but public recognition of their academic achievements.

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